[Kaylah]

I was doing some routine maintenance on my Firebird this weekend when I just about cried!

I was looking underneath while she was on ramps, and the crossmember has twisted loose from the frame/unibody. This is bad because I also found out that the car was obviously involved in a serious front end wreck. The unibody on the passenger side has been refitted almost all the back to the cab.

I think the driver side crossmember bolt-up twisted because there is still a crease in the frame on that side, and it was weakened. The holes are stretched really wide, and I don't think I can use them again. I'm also worried about drilling or welding because it may weaken the frame even more.

I really don't know what to do right now, except not drive it. The transmission and crossmember are hanging about 2.5 inches below the frame on the driver side. I'm thinking that whatever I do, I'll need to get some sub-frame connectors to reinforce the unibody. If pictures are needed, I'll get some this evening.

Thx--K

PS - Woodz your PM box is full

[willys36@aol.com]

Ain't cars fun!!

[302 Z28]

How long have you had the car? Can you take some action against the dude that sold it to you?

Vince

[Kaylah]

Naw its not like that...

I got it in return for paying off one of my brothers' debts (real CHEAP!). So my one brother was the last owner. But I know he let one of his "friends" borrow it, and that's where the transmission started acting bad. It really is a heartbreaker because I love the car. Funny thing is, I never knew it was busted up like that because I haven't been driving it, and when I do, nothing seems wrong.

It has taught me a lot about why it runs so good, because the whole front of the car, including the engine and transmission has been replaced. I always suspected it was a different engine, but this confirms it. Well now I have to ask how can I tell if this is another 305 or is it a 350?

The weld job on the unibody on the other side looks to be pretty solid, and the car holds an alignment and doesn't even think about shaking long after the speedo gets buried at 85mph.

I'm just wondering how I can go about fixing the crossmember. I was thinking of some angle iron over the top of the unibody then flaring it out to either side of the crossmember. But I have to go back under there for another look. I'll take some pics and post them...maybe someone can figure this out.