Front end skids - replaceable?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Front end skids - replaceable?
Apparently, the PO's of my newly acquired '02 vert included some really lousy parking in their repartee. I was on my back last night, checking out the front end and was pleased that the paint looked good, but the skid bar (I don't know the proper term) on the driver's side has really taken a beating. It did it's job. It protected further damage, but I was just wondering if this is a piece that can be replaced or not. It looks pretty chewed up. Granted, nobody will see it, but I'm pretty AR about my cars, including the parts that nobody will ever see -- except me and maybe the next owner.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If the bar is not too far gone you need a set of the frame savers:
https://www.aandacorvette.com/cart/s...sp?MainCatID=5
They fix through a hole drilled through the bar.
https://www.aandacorvette.com/cart/s...sp?MainCatID=5
They fix through a hole drilled through the bar.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 23,234
Likes: 4
From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Yes it can be replaced. For some reason I have $100 stuck in my head for the new skid plate frame
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by DeeGee
If the bar is not too far gone you need a set of the frame savers:
https://www.aandacorvette.com/cart/s...sp?MainCatID=5
They fix through a hole drilled through the bar.
https://www.aandacorvette.com/cart/s...sp?MainCatID=5
They fix through a hole drilled through the bar.
MID-AMERICA also has some steal pieces that mount over the bracket you are mentioning, that is what i have and they work great!!!
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.41.590
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,993
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
I had the same problem when I bought my '99. Picked up some aftermarket plates that bolt right to the bottom of the old ones from Mid America. I had to do a little grinding/filing to get them to fit properly but in the end I was pleased with the result. Hope this helps. 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
I may have a problem fitting the skid extensions. The skid on my driver's side is really in sorry shape. It is crushed/scraped/collapsed in the center portion to the point of almost being flat. Nowherd (at least in the most exposed, central portion) to drill a hole through it. The passenger side is nearly unscathed.
I checked as best I could, and as best as I can ascertain, the skids are welded to the frame and are NOT themselves replaceable. I hope I am wrong about that, because I'd really like to replace it outright. But if I can't, then I think my only option is going to be to buy some square tube stock and weld some new material back on there to build it back up. I have a MIG, so this is certainly doable for me, my only concern being the surrounding plastic from the front panel.
Ah, less than a week of ownership and already -- my first project!!
I checked as best I could, and as best as I can ascertain, the skids are welded to the frame and are NOT themselves replaceable. I hope I am wrong about that, because I'd really like to replace it outright. But if I can't, then I think my only option is going to be to buy some square tube stock and weld some new material back on there to build it back up. I have a MIG, so this is certainly doable for me, my only concern being the surrounding plastic from the front panel.
Ah, less than a week of ownership and already -- my first project!!
Last edited by JMc; Jan 15, 2006 at 09:21 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 0
From: clackamas oregon
Originally Posted by JMc
I may have a problem fitting the skid extensions. The skid on my driver's side is really in sorry shape. It is crushed/scraped/collapsed in the center portion to the point of almost being flat. No wear to drill a hole through it. The passenger side is nearly unscathed.
I checked as best I could, and as best as I can ascertain, the skids are welded to the frame and are NOT themselves replaceable. I hope I am wrong about that, because I'd really like to replace it outright. But if I can't, then I think my only option is going to be to buy some square tube stock and weld some new material back on there to build it back up. I have a MIG, so this is certainly doable for me, my only concern being the surrounding plastic from the front panel.
Ah, less than a week of ownership and already -- my first project!!
I checked as best I could, and as best as I can ascertain, the skids are welded to the frame and are NOT themselves replaceable. I hope I am wrong about that, because I'd really like to replace it outright. But if I can't, then I think my only option is going to be to buy some square tube stock and weld some new material back on there to build it back up. I have a MIG, so this is certainly doable for me, my only concern being the surrounding plastic from the front panel.
Ah, less than a week of ownership and already -- my first project!!
the skid unit is a rather huge piece all together. it does have welds that put the part together, i think that is what you are seeing. it bolts to the frame up under the bumper. there is about just under a foot from the bottom to the top of this piece. look at the exploded view in the website i told you about then you will see what i mean.
Last edited by rgtkst; Jan 15, 2006 at 07:34 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 0
From: clackamas oregon
hey patches posted the exploded view for you.
take a look at the website it shows allittle more. but that is it he posted
and dont worry, only one thing to do in one week!!!! you will find lots of things after a little longer. not have too's just want too's
take a look at the website it shows allittle more. but that is it he posted
and dont worry, only one thing to do in one week!!!! you will find lots of things after a little longer. not have too's just want too's
Last edited by rgtkst; Jan 15, 2006 at 07:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 4
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
WOW! You guys are incredible. Thanks so much. I will be much happier replacing the whole assembly (then beefing it up) rather than having to weld in a new piece. My only question now is, how accessible are these bolts that hold it in place? I'll have a better look tomorrow with better light and maybe it will be easier than I'm fearing. But if the bumper must come off first, I may be biting off more than I can chew.
Are there any manuals I can get my hands on that will show me how to take apart (and more importantly, put back together) various parts of my car whenever I'm feeling up to it?
Are there any manuals I can get my hands on that will show me how to take apart (and more importantly, put back together) various parts of my car whenever I'm feeling up to it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 975
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From: www.corvettepartitions.com Il
Jeff-- I can look in my 200 set and see if there are any items I can scan. For an assembly, I would call vette2vette and see if they have any really nice used units. They are at:
http://www.vette2vette.com/
I've referred several people to them, they're great guys to deal with.
http://www.vette2vette.com/
I've referred several people to them, they're great guys to deal with.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,743
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From: Omaha Nebraska
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by bmathews
Jeff-- I can look in my 200 set and see if there are any items I can scan. For an assembly, I would call vette2vette and see if they have any really nice used units. They are at:
http://www.vette2vette.com/
I've referred several people to them, they're great guys to deal with.
http://www.vette2vette.com/
I've referred several people to them, they're great guys to deal with.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by mph1972
MID-AMERICA also has some steal pieces that mount over the bracket you are mentioning, that is what i have and they work great!!!
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.41.590
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 15
From: My Garage. Upstate, SC
HIJACK ALERT!
I was just thinking that I haven't seen Zilla posting lately, and missed his particular style of Avatar selection. Post more Zilla!
Back on topic... that looks like a lot of work to replace the support/skid bar. I installed the wheels after the first time I hit the skidbars. I've been on the wheels several times since. And to think, some owners actually lower these cars further.... I guess they have a better road crew than we have here in Seattle.
I was just thinking that I haven't seen Zilla posting lately, and missed his particular style of Avatar selection. Post more Zilla!
Back on topic... that looks like a lot of work to replace the support/skid bar. I installed the wheels after the first time I hit the skidbars. I've been on the wheels several times since. And to think, some owners actually lower these cars further.... I guess they have a better road crew than we have here in Seattle.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by Trigger Creep
HIJACK ALERT!
I was just thinking that I haven't seen Zilla posting lately, and missed his particular style of Avatar selection. Post more Zilla!
Back on topic... that looks like a lot of work to replace the support/skid bar. I installed the wheels after the first time I hit the skidbars. I've been on the wheels several times since. And to think, some owners actually lower these cars further.... I guess they have a better road crew than we have here in Seattle.
I was just thinking that I haven't seen Zilla posting lately, and missed his particular style of Avatar selection. Post more Zilla!
Back on topic... that looks like a lot of work to replace the support/skid bar. I installed the wheels after the first time I hit the skidbars. I've been on the wheels several times since. And to think, some owners actually lower these cars further.... I guess they have a better road crew than we have here in Seattle.
Shame you're going to need the new frame JMc but I'd recommend the wheels once you do the mod. Another member was offering a "double bogey" design recently.