Subframe Mounts Twisted ?

[getsmart]

Hi all,

After finally getting my front subframe ready for painting after a lot of painstaking cleaning I noticed that the subframe mount points are not in the same horizontal plane, so then I was wondering if my subframe is twisted, perhaps due to a prior accident so I took a closer look and it looks like the cups that retain the mounts are bent. Anyone seen this before ? They don't look simple to replace. Perhaps I'll need to use a bit of gentle persuasion. The pictures tell the story...why didn't I notice earlier....oh well

Update...I've taken some measurements and the subframe looks pretty straight based on those measurements. If anyone has a subframe out (or one sitting on their coffee table as a good conversation piece   ..) I'd appreciate a check of yours based on my measurements in the attached photo..

Regards from Joe in Melbourne  

[waqas]

It may be easier to use a replacement subframe from an S/SE sedan of the era. Unless I'm mistaken, they should be similar if not identical.

I'd be very interested to hear theories of how this warping occurred in the first place.

[georgem]

Hi Joe,

Yup, you`ve got a problem. I suggest you dump yours and go for a replacement from a w108 chassis - identical to ours and dirt cheap - second hand that is.  Just use the sub frame itself and transfer everything from yours across.


cheers

George

[getsmart]

Thanks guys for your suggestions, I'll see if I can source one in Melbourne somewhere...
The frame itself does not appear to be twisted, its only the cups or where the cups mount on the frame is possibly depressed one side at the mounting but on both cups in opposite directions
One of the A frames doesn't appear to be original, perhaps there was some underbody damage at some stage.
The mounts themselves were in very poor condition, one of them the rubber separated from the steel mount.
I bought this as a complete rebuild partially completed so I'd never driven it to know if it had any suspension or tracking problems.

[Garry]

Joe,

Try this guy,

Chris 041219971.  He is out way past Dandenong and has a lot of old vehicles he has been parting out for years.  Is a member of MBC Vicand is where I was able to get a 3.46 ratio rear axle from some years ago.

If that is no good, try
http://www.uniqueautoparts.com.au/contact_us/contact_us
They are also out in Dandenong.

Garry

[getsmart]

Thanks Garry, tomorrow I'll get my son to help me temporarilly fit it (just place it in position) just to see how it looks in situ, might give it a bend too...
With the rotisserie I can quickly just flip the car upside down 

[w113dude]

This is sign the car had been in an accident, I had a similar problem on one of my cars I ended up fixing it, in case you can't locate a replacement here's how I fixed mine,  put the top bolt back on with a torch gun heat the bent area and surrounding you need a lot of heat almost red hot then slowly hammer the bolt toward the right direction keep the heat on as it's quit thick metal after a few blows with the hammer it should go back to it's place, it's a good Idea to have a few extra top bolts on hand as they may get bent in process (again needs a lot of heat) but perfectly doable.

Good luck.

[stickandrudderman]

Ditto.
Warm it up and straighten it out. I've done a few like this.