Bent Front Subframe

[CaptainNate]

Hi All!

Took the five into the doc's a few weeks ago just for a general check-up.
Everything checked out better then I imagined, nothing TOO scary on the 'to-do list', simple stuff like brakes, gear boots etc.
However one thing that kinda worries me is they found the front sub-frame has been hit pretty hard, which probably explains why the front bumper doesn't look like its on right? haha.

I've done my fair share of googling/forum surfing to try and find estimates on repair pricing, difficulties and the such - but I haven't had much luck

A few questions:

1) Safety first - Is it actually safe to drive? Shes not displaying any strange driving habits, apart from a case of the bad shakes at speed (however this is temperamental, it comes and goes...maybe just PMS? ). Stops fine, accelerates fine, drives fine, corners fine.

2) $$$ - How much am I looking at to replace/repair/straighten the damn thing? Would it be a priority repair? Is there any options of upgrading instead of replacing the factory unit? (Trying to save the moolah for future shiny things.)

3) Is there any other damage I should look out for? Mx5 plus didn't verbally really say much (that I can remember) about it causing problems anywhere else, or the rest of the chassis being bent.

4) I've been told by a panel beater that I met on a mountain top one day there is no point getting new suspension/rims/tires/misc. mods until I get this problem fixed up. Is this true?

Any information or personal experience on this topic would be awesome, as I am thoroughly in the dark right now

Hope you're all enjoying a topless weekend!

I'll try and get photos up of my front bumper if people want to have a look, but I'm at work so the quality won't be that great

[JBT]

What do you exactly mean by sub frame? Do you mean the suspension cross member or the chassis?

Shes not displaying any strange driving habits, apart from a case of the bad shakes at speed

Well that's not normal to start with.

How much am I looking at to replace/repair/straighten the damn thing? Would it be a priority repair?

How long is a piece of string? Impossible to estimate by any of us. You need a couple of quotes. I would have it sorted ASAP.

Is there any options of upgrading instead of replacing the factory unit?

A replacement suspension cross member can be bought from places like MX-5 Plus but if the chassis is bent the car still won't be straight.

I've been told by a panel beater that I met on a mountain top one day there is no point getting new suspension/rims/tires/misc. mods until I get this problem fixed up. Is this true?

Good advice I think.

[CaptainNate]

What do you exactly mean by sub frame? Do you mean the suspension cross member or the chassis?

I believe its the cross member. I'm not that savvy on technical terms yet, but the repair invoice says "Front sub frame bent - has been hit hard." After googling, I do believe it may be the cross member. I haven't had the time to jack it up and take a look myself. HOPEFULLY its just the cross member, there will be tears if it is the chassis as I paid more then I wanted for the old girl. The panel beater I met did say he reckons the car has been in a front-end collision so I might get the paperwork out and try and track down original owners.

Well that's not normal to start with.

Didn't think so I hate to admit it, but there are two different tires on the front - one thing I forgot to check before I signed my life away - and i've been told that could be the culprit for shakeys? *cringes* I'm trying to avoid paying for new tires (seeing as they both have alot of tread left) seeing as my next big buy will be new rims.

I'll flick Mx5 Plus an email today sometime (If I don't forget ) to get a quote sorted out. The newborn baby shall be arriving any day now, so I've got a bit of moolah saved up for unexpected five repairs/cash pit for upgrades.

I just hope its not TOO much, so many shiney things that are asking to be mine.

[93_Clubman]

Not the kind of surprise you want - hope this turns out to be relatively easy & cheap to fix.

I've been told by a panel beater that I met on a mountain top one day...

Btw, very Zen...

[CaptainNate]

Not the kind of surprise you want - hope this turns out to be relatively easy & cheap to fix.

Me too I was hoping to get at least one day of track time before the year ends. I want to get a few laps done while she's still stock before throwing a bunch of mods on.

I've been told by a panel beater that I met on a mountain top one day...

Btw, very Zen...

I would go into detail, but I'm afraid my explanation would be stolen for movie rights.

[zossy1]

"Shaking at speed" could be 100kmh shimmy, which is probably the most common MX5 handling issue on the planet, closely followed by wheels out of balance, which is not exactly unheard of either.

Bent front subframe isn't causing your bumper to not sit right, unless the chassis rails and everything else forward of the subframe is bent too (entirely possible, but that would indicate some serious accident damage that was never properly repaired). Post some underside photos, close up and in hi res, of the front of the car from the firewall to the bumper (with the undertray removed).

Subframes are available. I have three sitting in my backyard, I know Dann has one (or had one - not sure if he still does), and I'm sure Lou probably has a dozen in his shed too. However, if your subframe is bent, one must also consider what else might be bent as well - eg. chassis rails, etc. Fixing these issues will likely cost far more than a replacement subframe.

[CaptainNate]

"Shaking at speed" could be 100kmh shimmy, which is probably the most common MX5 handling issue on the planet, closely followed by wheels out of balance, which is not exactly unheard of either.

Bent front subframe isn't causing your bumper to not sit right, unless the chassis rails and everything else forward of the subframe is bent too (entirely possible, but that would indicate some serious accident damage that was never properly repaired). Post some underside photos, close up and in hi res, of the front of the car from the firewall to the bumper (with the undertray removed).

Subframes are available. I have three sitting in my backyard, I know Dann has one (or had one - not sure if he still does), and I'm sure Lou probably has a dozen in his shed too. However, if your subframe is bent, one must also consider what else might be bent as well - eg. chassis rails, etc. Fixing these issues will likely cost far more than a replacement subframe.

This is what I am afraid of. I am kicking myself for not taking her to Mx5 Plus sooner. I have a years free warranty on it - but it's basically useless cause the warranty company is dodgy and it'll only cover $350 worth of damage to certain areas...and I don't think the body is one.

Just looked over the invoice again, nothings said about anything else being bent apart from the sub frame. "Has been hit pretty hard." But they do recommend I get new wheels and an alignment.

I'll get the photos up ASAP. Probably won't be until tomorrow night at earliest - gotta love 12 hour shifts back to back!

I'm just hoping someone didn't crash it then just bash an aftermarket kit on it and sell it off without repairs. That would suck majorly, and be sad for all five lovers.

[NitroDann]

Its impossible to know what it needs without photos or a better explanation of the actual damage, id be amazed if its a safety issue, and no its not why your front bar isnt sitting properly.

A mate wholloped the gutter at 60 and almost tore a wheel straight off and the other week I bottomed out hard enough to activate my seatbelt lock, as in I hit the ground and lost so much speed I slammed against the seat belt, and yes My subframe is bent, from the gutter incident, but regardless its so minor that a sledgehammer and a wheel alignment machine and a tape measure will fix it in around an hour.

The chassis is unlikely to be bent.
The whole system is designed so that the subframes can be destroyed and then simply replaced.

If the subframe needs replacing, I suggest organising a dodgy day and getting it done, and then sending it to a panel beater or suspension shop to double check and align it.

Subframe will cost 100-200 dollars.
You remove the engine which is actually very easy with basic hand tools if you have a guide, which Ive written and can do it again.
Then the subframe unbolts from the car and you use an engine crane to lift the body up and drag the subframe, front suspension and all out from under the car.
Take photos of alignment bolts, these will be a guide for the new subframe but will NOT be right for the new one, close enough to dawdle the car to the nearest suspension shop.

Unbolt suspension one arm at a time and transfer to new subframe.

Reverse process.

Its probably a 2 day job for a newbie with some mates and a full guide, which Im happy to write.

Dann

[CaptainNate]

But regardless its so minor that a sledgehammer and a wheel alignment machine and a tape measure will fix it in around an hour.

Gotta love sledgehammers! A mans fourth best friend!

Thanks for the info Dann! I'll try and get around to getting some photos snapped up.
I'll contact you if I end up needing a write up, but I'll search around and see if I can find one before causing you the trouble.

Thankyou everyone for informative replies!
Fingers crossed this will be a straight forward job.
Hope you're all enjoying your Sunday.

[Mr Morlock]

Agree with JBT- does not look too flash - take it to someone who can assess the problem and see what it cost to rectify.