IRS crossmember replacement

[shawn_sloma]

I am getting ready to rebuild the front end of my mark and do a hub conversion. Looking under the car I noticed that the crossmember cradle for the irs is rusted. It's still solid but looks pretty bad compared to the rest of the vehicle. I was wondering if anyone had previously replaced on of these and how big of a project I would be getting into.

 

[DLF]

My advice would be to not mess with it unless you have to. You will probably have to replace bolts and mounts that are no longer available new from Ford.

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=77102

 

[shawn_sloma]

I figured if it would be too much of a hassle to clean it up as best I can and rust primer it and undercoat it to seal it. Not going to buy the SCP mounts for $400. Was just wondering if it was feasible, found a donor car with a mint cradle for $200, not sure if they would sell the mounts with it.

 

[DLF]

Well, I certainly wouldn't recommend the SCP mounts, they're heavy.

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=62980

 

[NetKeym]

I bought an entire IRS sub-frame from a 1998 LSC off Craigslist for $100 and I'm in Florida so it didn't have a spot of rust on it (well, a little on axles, rotors and tag where I had it sitting outside for awhile). I used a HUGE impact and those bolts came right out without a problem (a 1/2" impact wouldn't budge them in my case).

 

[94m5]

They may have come out, but you stood the risk of spinning the backing nut in its holder.


Which leads to holesawing your trunk floor.

Mine on the other hand broke loose with a simple 1/2 breaker bar. I love rust free cars.