Engine cradle cross member bend or not?

If its that slight I wouldnt worry about it - just dont make it worse by using it as a jacking point yourself

 

Doesn't look bad.

Kai

 

..dont run over somebody who has a 2x4 in their pocket, you should be fine.

 

I would definitely get it straightened..............the 2x4, not the frame.

 

All it takes is four bolts and it's out. I would probably straighten it.

 

If you've ever taken one off of a car, you'd never put a jack on it. They're fairly thin.

 

Ditto. I rarely find a 2x4 without a bit of a bend. But seriously, as others have stated, it doesn't look bad.

 

I've been jacking mine up for almost 6 years at that spot, still the same as it was the day I got it.

 

Typical 2x4 aren't straight, you should get 72" level and try it again to validate this.

 

That's true that, there a thin hollow box section. Only held in between the cradle via two bolts at each end. I would never use it as a jacking point.

 

My guess is a motor or transmission mount has expired.

 

On my 355 it was bent badly where it had been used as a jacking point by someone at some stage.

I removed the brace but it took some "persuasion" because being bent it went kind of keystone shaped at the flange ends and didn't want to come out easily.

Anyway, I straightened it out in the vice using a peice of steel tube over the end for leverage. I cleaned it up and sprayed it black and it now looks new.

It fitted easily and snugly once it was straight.

I don't think it does much when the car is static, the mounting points didn't move a mm with the car on axle stands.

 

In my view anyone who uses the mid region of that cross member as a jacking point or axle stand support point evidently has no idea of stress loading/bending moment.

Occasionally I'm in disbelief at what I see on here. Where will it stop, before we know it there'll be images on here from shortcutters chopping holes in their rear bulkheads to do 'engine in' cambelt changes....ohhh, you say there have been already, there ya go!

 

Interesting, I've never imagined anyone would use the cross member as a jacking point. I was like WTF, how in the hell it got bent? But now I know what could have contributed....

 

I will take a look in a few days

 

Yes, once it was straight it was a snug, but smooth reassembly. No significant force needed to reposition the cross member. Just a rubber mallet to lightly tap into place.

When I removed it was like a keystone wedged into place.