CA1992C4

Has anyone had success straightening a bent frame cross brace? Mine is bent on the drivers side front, and is rubbing the exhaust and the transmission pan.

I was thinking of marking the spot that is bent, and then taking it off and trying to bend it back. It's bent just enought that the exhaust rattles against it sometimes, and is very annoying.

Has anyone delt with this before and had luck repairing it, and if so - how did you straighten it?

jv9999

Mine was bent inward. I took it off, put each end on a brick to get it in the air, and then jumped on the middle. Straightened it right out. Maybe it's time for a diet... :-)

CA1992C4

That's good to hear.

I took it to my local auto shop today, and they were afraid to touch it. They were worried if they tried to straighten it, it might not bolt back in.

It's only bent a small amount. Hopefully I can get as lucky as you. By the way, I am around 218 pounds, what was your weight when you bent yours back?

c4cruiser

Any competent body shop should be able to take the damage out of the crossmember and get it to properly fit back into place. The crossmember is actually two pieces so it can be taken apart so that the bent section can be fixed.

CA1992C4

The person I got the car from wants to come by this weekend and help me take the cross brace off and straighten it. He considers himself the king of MacGyvering things, and feels it will not be that difficult to fix. I am on the fence about letting him give it a shot, or waiting until next week to let an auto body repair shop look at it and give me an estimate. If it's really as easy as it was for jv9999, maybe it my friend will be able to fix it. What would other owners do in my situatuon?

Crossed Flags Fan

I've always subscribed to the theory that trying to fix something yourself is: fulfilling/rewarding, possibly saves you $$$$, gives insight as to how things work, etc. As long as you don't go to absolute extremes and think about what you want to accomplish first and take your time doing it, 99.9% of the time you'll be successful. If not then you call in the "professionals". My 2 cents.

skyhawk50

I had a 91 vert that had an exhaust rattle against the x brace. I shimmed it down on side about 1/4 inch, no rattle and it maintained body stiffness. Did use one slightly longer bolt as well.

CA1992C4

Thanks - I will keep that idea in mind!

383vett

Just fix it. No body shop needed for something like this. Just use common sense and you will be able to fix a number of things and have $$$ left over for dinner.

CA1992C4

I'm taking the cross brace of my frame today and then I will try to bend it back a little to stop the rattle. Does anyone that has removed their brace before have any tips on how to make this project go smoothly? Start with the front first, or something like that?

jv9999

Remove the nuts in the middle first, then it doesn't matter. Use hand tools, no impact wrenches. If you're alone when you put it back, use a jack to hold up the middle while you align the spacers and bolts.
Taking it off is a 10 minute job. Putting it back on alone is a 20 minute job.

CA1992C4

I have a buddy coming by to help, so that will make the job a little eaiser. I do have impact wrenches, I was planning on using them to take the bracket off. You said you jumped on your bracket to bend it back down - which is what I will try - how much do you weigh?

jv9999

230 give or take

CA1992C4

You got me by 15 pounds - but I will make them count.

Did you torque the corner bolts to 46 fooot pounds, and the bolts from the body to 20 foot pounds?

CA1992C4

I took the brace off today put it on bricks like jv9999 suggested and jumped on it a couple of times and it straightened right out. It actually turned out to be a much easier job and I anticipated. Thanks to everyone offering suggestions on how to get it done.