Hello all, My corvette was recently in an accident and insurance gave me a list of things to be replaced. I have done most of what was needed but in the list it mentions to replace the engine cradle and rear right lower control arm. There are no cracks or dents in either and i am not sure why it was mentioned to be replaced. Should I go ahead and replace them or is there anything I should look for to know if they need to be replaced. Thanks

 

I would look and see if anything is cracked the cradle is aluminum and would crack the a arms or tie rod ends end rear may bend since theyre metal. When i bought mine the left rear tie rod end was bent. You could still align it straight just the middle rod was bent as if he slightly hammered a curb with that wheel. Miamicorvette parts on ebay sold me one for 20$ the whole rear tie rod assembly. Usually aluminum would break an ear off or something crack im not too sure about bending but maybe another car expert may know.

Im a car enthusiasts as well and do my own mechanic work when someone backed over my 98 z28 it took out a headlight scuffed the bumper and crunched the hood. Pro collision wanted the keys right away to fix the car. I told them an estimate and i could do the work myself. Lucky or not it didnt hit the radiator support or the car would have been totaled out. Wonder how much they would have payed for a 98 z28 hardtop 6 speed 125k miles in 2009-10 that got totaled from the radiator support if it were to get crunched. The other insurance guy said theyd get a hood from the junkyard bumper and stuff the car dealership doing the repairs or estimate payout. I began to think my hood was way better then any salvage yard hood theyd find and paint match. As i was just about to buy a vfn hood for my 98 z28 that was dissappointing i settled for 1900$ check bumper was scuffed and hammered out the hood dent and a 50$ headlight. I drove it for a while until i could afford or found a deal a nice gm black hood. Not sure if you want to take a look but if insurance is doing it make sure they replace what they said. I dropped the trans torque tube last summer not to bad had to remove upper a arms shocks and cradle nuts to lower it. Haven't messed with the transverse spring and how it fits into the lower control arms maybe difficult.


What did the wheel get hammered doing donuts on a curb or another car wreck into it? My sisters 99 mustang gt was t boned in 2008 it took out the door, quarter panel and bent the 8.8 rear 1" on one side. Replaced the quarter, door and 8.8 rear end as only had liability insurance.

 

Hey so I am the one doing the work myself, insurance just gave me a breakdown of what they would fix if they were the ones fixing it. The wheel was damaged by going over a curb, when i get home ill check for any cracks in the again, rear tie rod is bent pretty bad, but from what i remember everything up front was fine except the bumper. Ill double check when im home, but if no damage is to be seen, would it be alright to drive for small periods to see if their is any damage that can be "felt" rather then seen?

 

I would check it over very carefully. I can't imagine a insurance adjuster replacing more parts than needed, money coming out of their pockets.