While pulling off all of the paint off of the car, and fixing minor rust spots, my body guy pointed out that my sail panels had signs of cracking. I intend to install subframe connects. My question is. When installing "Weld in" subframe connectors, does the car need to have the suspension under load? I mean, can the car be on jack stands, or can you have the front wheels on ramps, and the pumpkin under a jack? Thoughts?
Thanks
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A Sub Frame main purpose is to keep the front Sub Frame from moving around. They will keep the front wheels from rubbing and relieve stress where the Roof joins to the Sail Panel when hitting large pot holes or under extreme acceleration. All Second Gen show some slight stress here. A Sub Frame Connector is not guaranteed to eliminate the stress indications but it does help. I recommend you use Solid Donuts on the Rear Front Sub Frame Mount. and Std Rubber for the 2 Front Mounts. As the Rear of the Sub Frame Connectors is sandwiched between the Rear Sub Frame and Front Leaf Mount there is no need load the suspension. The important thing is to make sure the Front Sub Frame is setting exactly where you want it.

One other thing. Unlike a 1st Gen the 2nd Gen really does not require Sub Frame Connectors to be welded in unless it is strictly a Drag Machine. There are some very nice bolt in designs made by Morrosso, Edelbrock ...etc. If I ever had to remove the front Sub Frame, I sure would hate the idea if it was welded to the Body. One thing GM did right with the 70 was design the floor pan for Sub Frame Connectors and Dual Mufflers :o))

When aligning the Front Sub Frame you will have to have a dual jack system, one to support the Body and the other to support the Sub Frame.

The suspension should be 'under load' when installing SFC's.

Fred - WHY ? Just don't say something with out explanation - It's the body that's takes the load not the suspension in this case - of course I would not bolt or weld a sub frame connector if the doors didn't line up - in which case - you definitely have other matters to contend with.

We have no Idea if both if he has both front and rear suspension components out Yah, if you want to balance the car on jack stands by all means hang the rear axel - LOL

Fred - WHY ? Just don't say something with out explanation ....

It's just to make sure that the car is perfectly level and everything is kept in alignment.... it's very hard to guarantee that the car is level using jackstands.

Make sense?