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So, I put the car on the lift last night and I noticed there is a big chunk of the engine cradle missing. I looks, to me, like a less than ideal location for a crack, being right next to the forward lower control arm bracket. As I do track the car, my fear is that too much force in turning could pull result in failure and my LCA might part ways mid-corner. The cost of a replacement cradle is hardly extensive, but I am guessing the labor aspect of it would be a huge pain. Being new to Corvettes, I am guessing this would require something along the lines of removing the front suspension and motor. Is that the case? Has anyone cracked a cradle like this, left it alone, then found out what happens the hard way? I'm not too concerned about driving the car on the street, but "grippy tires + race track = danger zone" in my mind.
Pictures below, let me know your thoughts. Thanks for the help!!
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
ouch... to me it looks like you hit something, I would definitely replace it though no question about that... you can suspend the motor from the top and lower the cradle with all the suspension and rack attached to it, swap everything over, reinstall, and then get an alignment... it shouldn't be too bad of a job
ouch... to me it looks like you hit something, I would definitely replace it though no question about that... you can suspend the motor from the top and lower the cradle with all the suspension and rack attached to it, swap everything over, reinstall, and then get an alignment... it shouldn't be too bad of a job
Yeah, not replacing it seemed like a terrible idea to me. If I can drop it out and suspend the motor from above with my hoist and some straps, then the job shouldn't be too terrible.
I've only had the car for 3 weeks, and I have not hit anything. I simply did not see it when I bought it. Oh well!! Thanks for the response.
You can find most of the Kent More engine support on eBay. I wouldn't trust an engine hoist to keep the engine suspended. Seeing that you track the car, and the abuse shown I would be tempted to upgrade to the forged C6 front spindles.
This can be fixed. A competent machine shop could easily make an aluminum plate that would fit behind that area and could be welded in place along the broken edge. I'd make sure the surface area along the broken edge was deburred so a stress fracture would not pop up later. What appears to be a crack behind that area is just a casting line. No big deal.
If you decide to replace the cradle, do NOT use any power tools, i.e. air/electric impact guns to remove the 4 cradle nuts. Use hand tools ONLY.
Same for re-installing. Use hand tools ONLY. IIRC the torque is only 80 lbft (double check it) so it's not hard to do.
HTH
I've learned the hard way not to do this type of work with the impact gun. But good advice nonetheless!
Do you happen to know of a service manual that has the proper torque specs for everything I will be swapping to the new cradle?
Originally Posted by Marc@Vettenuts.net
We have them in stock for $95.
DANG! That is a great price. I thought I got a good price from an eBay seller of $135+ shipping. Wish I saw your post sooner. Oh well. Story of my life haha.
You can find most of the Kent More engine support on eBay. I wouldn't trust an engine hoist to keep the engine suspended. Seeing that you track the car, and the abuse shown I would be tempted to upgrade to the forged C6 front spindles.
WOW that is an expensive engine support. Looks nice, and if I were a mechanic that would use this more than once, definitely would consider it. Does Harbor Freight make one for $100 that will only work once?
Good call on the spindles. That is something that I was not aware of (still new to vettes and learning every day). Does not look too expensive for the piece of mind, especially if I get into running R compound tires.
I was also planning on getting a camber kit to do at the same time.
I wonder if something hit it there, or this is just a result of not jacking in properly. I have always used a block to span the ribs, but if you only put the jack on one rib and it shifted slightly could this be the result?
I wonder if something hit it there, or this is just a result of not jacking in properly. I have always used a block to span the ribs, but if you only put the jack on one rib and it shifted slightly could this be the result?
I was thinking the same. The cradle is flush with the bottom of the car. If it was damaged there from driving I think it would have way more damage also. I do jack mine up by the cradle also since its so much quicker then putting a jack on both sides of the car (No lift here). But I use a huge block of dense wood in the middle of the cradle and a SUPER low profile jack that I can fit under the car with no Issues.
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by SpectroRacing
I've learned the hard way not to do this type of work with the impact gun. But good advice nonetheless!
As a general, practical matter, I agree it's good to know when to "say when" as it relates to using impact guns, but my warning to not use power tools on the cradle nuts is for a very SPECIFIC REASON. It's also the same reason the factory says to not do it.
The cradle retaining bolts are retained up top on the frame rail. They are preventing from turning/rotating when the nuts are removed/installed by a retainer design attached to the head. If an impact gets used (for either removal or installation), it's very possible to snap off the retainer, thereby allowing the bolt to just turn and turn and the "hex" on the bolts are deliberately rounded at the factory to prevent using a socket on them.
Cracked Engine Cradle - Now What?
... to me it looks like you hit something, I would definitely replace it though no question about that... you can suspend the motor from the top and lower the cradle with all the suspension and rack attached to it, swap everything over, reinstall, and then get an alignment... it shouldn't be too bad of a job
