Engine cradle cross member bend or not?

I was reading about where to jack up the car on 348, some thread said the cross member could be bent if jack up from the middle.

I went to check my car, and it seems it was jacked up from the middle before. I used a 2x4 to see if it was bend. Seems a little bit? What do you think if I should straighten this cross member? or is it just minor and won't hurt the performance or alignment of the car?
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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 guess I am not going to worry about it if it seems minor. Will have alignment check since the car hasn't have alignment done for awhile.

 

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.

 

So, I drove to a local body shop earlier to get some advise, the guy said the car this age probably has some minor flex or bend here and there. As long as the car runs straight, it's not necessary to 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.

 

Maybe yours has slight bend/flex like mine?

 

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.

 

I used a leveler and it did show about 3mm bend inward in the middle part of the cross member.

 

I don't think the engine or transmission are mounted on the cross member, so I don't think the mount is broken.

 

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.

 

You mean it was easy to install it back?

 

Just came across this photo showing using middle of cross member as jack stand point.
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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.

 

I sourced a brand new cross member. OEM Ferrari part. It is not completely level and straight. So I think minor bend to the cross member is OK.