Fron End under body damage
 

Anyone had a problem with the front end Underbody?. I don't know what it the mechanical name is but it is a huge brace ( not the sway bar) that has 4 ends to it to in the front above the weels and two behind the wheels (on each sde). I believe they refer to it as the sub frame, it has two major cushions(they look like hockey pucks) on each of the back corners on either side behind the front wheels, they have bolts running through each cushion attaching it to the frame. Looks like it holds the whole engine and front end togther to the body. Well the passenger side has broken off. Is there a kit than can be used to be rewelded to the frame. Looks like it just rusted and broke off.The car otherwise is in great shape, the muffler guy spotted it when he welded my cat converter pipe. Any ideas/suggestions if you have encounter the same. I gotta believe anywhere it has snowed the same poeple would have experienced the same problem. The care just kicked 140 k and I don't feel like scrapping it if the repair is too :cry: expensive.

It is called a Subframe.

Areas where the subframe bolts to the body are the mounts. There are 2 each rear side for a total of 4, and 2 up front, for a grand total of 6.

Common problems with these subframes is the hole for the subframe donuts will rot off, and the donut goes right through the hole. GM has special plates for these areas, and its a good fix. Another option is to fabricate a new bracket, and just stick it in there.

If it is very severley rotted off, junkyards will have PLENTY of those style subframes. I imagine you can get one dirt cheap, I have no idea. These subframes are the same for the 87-1999 Oldsmobile 98-88, Pontiac Bonneville, and the Buick LeSabre/Park Avenune, from what I know. Its about 8 hours of labour to replace aproximatly.

The difficult thing about the rear bolts. There are 2 per side. They also havea nut that is secured by retainers hidden away. When you screw the bolt in, the retainers secure the hidden nut, without the need to use a wrench or vise-grips. the rear ones are prone to the metal retainers breaking (rust) and the nut spins loose. so you can't un bolt, or put a bolt in. I think you would have to tear into the floor to access this nut to get a pair of vise grips on it. I have to do that tommorrow to my car, lol. Not fun at all.

Anyhoo, hope i was of some help.

This is one of the reasons my cutlass is parked and being used for parts now. I lost the frnt left bolt\nut and it took 3hrs of jacking it up, working blind because you can't see where the bolt and nut go together, letting it down and seeing it break loose and doing it again. Not fun get help. :oops: :(

The sub frame is fine, its the body that it has broken off from. You mentioned GM has a plate kit for this, any more detail on it? I took it to a guy who works on frames and he said you need to rebuild the bottom back oen side is broken off the other is sloe to falling off as well , and it looks like there is enough to weld back onto it. He didn't have the time or patience to do this. anymore. I am gGetting tired of bringing it to autobody shops who can't help. Did you have this problem? if so how did you support the engine while changing the sub frame, I am surprised the body on your car was still in good shape? If it cost to much this car will make an excellent parts car. not giving up yet