sub frame conectors
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From: ca
sub frame conectors Hello,
I have a question about sub frame conectors. I have heard that it is very important to have the suspension 'loaded' (weight on it) when they are installed. Is this true? What problems might there be if the sub frames are installed with the suspension 'unloaded'? Thank you for your time.
I have a question about sub frame conectors. I have heard that it is very important to have the suspension 'loaded' (weight on it) when they are installed. Is this true? What problems might there be if the sub frames are installed with the suspension 'unloaded'? Thank you for your time.
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From: Regina, SK
Yes, it's true. The reason is because the chassis can and does flex, so the contact areas where the subframes are being welded can move around relative to each other. The subframes, once welded in place, brace the chassis to keep the car's structure more rigid. If you jacked the car up (so the tires could hang down) and then did the welding, the body wouldn't be in quite the same shape it is when it's driving down the road (ie: suspension loaded) so after you finished the installation the subframe connectors would be fighting against the chassis, trying to keep it twisted. Does that make sense?
By welding the subframes on with the suspension loaded, it's like you're trying to put a cast on a broken arm while the bone is being held in place as straight as possible. A proper cast will reinforce the correct alignment of a broken bone so it heals in a straight position.
By welding the subframes on with the suspension loaded, it's like you're trying to put a cast on a broken arm while the bone is being held in place as straight as possible. A proper cast will reinforce the correct alignment of a broken bone so it heals in a straight position.
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From: ca
ok, that is what i was thinking...
I just got some sfc put in and when i got to the shop to pick it up, my car was still on the lift and my tires were hanging free. it may be that they had already removed whatever it was that was loading the suspension, but maybe not. what kind of symptoms should I look/listen for? after they have been welded in, is there any way to change them without messing stuff up (like the frame)? thanks again!
I just got some sfc put in and when i got to the shop to pick it up, my car was still on the lift and my tires were hanging free. it may be that they had already removed whatever it was that was loading the suspension, but maybe not. what kind of symptoms should I look/listen for? after they have been welded in, is there any way to change them without messing stuff up (like the frame)? thanks again!
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Regina, SK
That's a good question - I don't know what symptoms, if any, the car would exhibit. I'd go back to the shop and ask them how the sfc were installed. Yes, you could cut them off, other people have done it because they installed crappy quality sfc, or they were installed wrong. It's not easy; you'd have to grind all the welds off. After you get them off, the SFC would pretty much be toast.
Talk to your guy at the shop first, and if you're unsure you could maybe have the car checked to see if the frame's straight.
Talk to your guy at the shop first, and if you're unsure you could maybe have the car checked to see if the frame's straight.
If you've ever had an old-school, body-on-frame
convertible you'd know right off - look at the door
gap with it on the wheels, and frame-on-lift and
there'll be 1/4" (or more) difference in how the
door trailing edge lines up to the rear quarter front
edge.
If your car has seen a lot of "Dukes of Hazzard"
action you might have some misalign evident. If
you weld up with weight off the wheels you could
actually reverse the accumulated deflection, though
then the SFCs and chassis would be in constant
tension once the car is back on the tires... so
more stress on the welding job and/or bolts.
If the car is eyeball straight though, I'd just follow
the instructions.
convertible you'd know right off - look at the door
gap with it on the wheels, and frame-on-lift and
there'll be 1/4" (or more) difference in how the
door trailing edge lines up to the rear quarter front
edge.
If your car has seen a lot of "Dukes of Hazzard"
action you might have some misalign evident. If
you weld up with weight off the wheels you could
actually reverse the accumulated deflection, though
then the SFCs and chassis would be in constant
tension once the car is back on the tires... so
more stress on the welding job and/or bolts.
If the car is eyeball straight though, I'd just follow
the instructions.
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From: Lynnwood, WA (North of Seattle)
Originally Posted by John95Z28
That's a good question - I don't know what symptoms, if any, the car would exhibit. I'd go back to the shop and ask them how the sfc were installed. Yes, you could cut them off, other people have done it because they installed crappy quality sfc, or they were installed wrong. It's not easy; you'd have to grind all the welds off. After you get them off, the SFC would pretty much be toast.
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Originally Posted by 88GTA
ok, that is what i was thinking...
I just got some sfc put in and when i got to the shop to pick it up, my car was still on the lift and my tires were hanging free. it may be that they had already removed whatever it was that was loading the suspension, but maybe not. what kind of symptoms should I look/listen for? after they have been welded in, is there any way to change them without messing stuff up (like the frame)? thanks again!
I just got some sfc put in and when i got to the shop to pick it up, my car was still on the lift and my tires were hanging free. it may be that they had already removed whatever it was that was loading the suspension, but maybe not. what kind of symptoms should I look/listen for? after they have been welded in, is there any way to change them without messing stuff up (like the frame)? thanks again!
Ouch man, that sucks if there wrong
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From: Jacksonville,AR
I just bought a pair of the SLP bolt on SFC's on Ebay yesterday, however they didn't come with any of the bolts or instructions. Can I get those from SLP or can anyone tell me the size of bolt I need and I could then go to the nearest hardware store? Oh and since the car needs to be loaded, how do you do that at home? Put it on ramps?
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From: Regina, SK
If you do a search you might find the right bolt size on the forum. If I knew what it was I'd tell you. A good hardware store should have what you need (if you know what to ask for 
) or you can phone SLP and they'd sell it to you.
Yes, you can put all 4 tires on ramps if you don't have a drive-on lift in your back yard. This might help you:
http://users3.ev1.net/~cnl1/firehawk/subframe/index.htm
) or you can phone SLP and they'd sell it to you.Yes, you can put all 4 tires on ramps if you don't have a drive-on lift in your back yard. This might help you:
http://users3.ev1.net/~cnl1/firehawk/subframe/index.htm
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From: Lynnwood, WA (North of Seattle)
Where did you get these SFCs that they didn't come with the hardware? I ordered mine from a Sponser and the hardware came in a smaller box inside the same box as the SFCs............I would contact whoever sold you them and find out WHY all the equipment needed is not there.
Just my $.02
Just my $.02
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Jacksonville,AR
I got them from ebay, the seller was a salvage yard in Tennesse and they came off a 98 Firebird. But the thing about it was that the seller didn't know what he had and I got them for $150! As you know they retail for $299. And I had him email me more pics of them and there is minimal wear and tear! So I said what the hell! Thanks for the instructions also!!
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From: Lynnwood, WA (North of Seattle)
Originally Posted by 02blackZ
I got them from ebay, the seller was a salvage yard in Tennesse and they came off a 98 Firebird. But the thing about it was that the seller didn't know what he had and I got them for $150! As you know they retail for $299. And I had him email me more pics of them and there is minimal wear and tear! So I said what the hell! Thanks for the instructions also!!
