Thread: Bent subframe?

went to go get an alignment today and they told me they couldn't do it because the subframe was bent. They said the way they know its bent is because the driver side axle is supposed to sit strait above the control arm but its not strait, its bent to a angle like \ (like half that lol)

Wtf do I do? I just replaced the tie rod ends(replaced today), ball joints(3 weeks ago) and the clutch ect ect.. They said the cost to change out the subframe would cost over 1k and wouldn't be worth it to do...

Define subframe please as I don't know of anything in a Sentra that I would consider a subframe.

The subframe would be the part where the control arms and sway bars connect to.

Ehh they said because the oil pan is bent in (never knew that a oil pan being bent could throw off the alignment) and the axle doesn't sit strait in to the wheel that it was not able to be aligned. They weren't very specific other than saying that. Just said thats how they know it's not align-able

What do they mean the axle doesn't sit straight in the wheel?

Are your front wheels visibly castered to the rear? If they aren't and they sit in the wheel well fairly evenly then toe and camber are easy to adjust, and that would be the only two things throwing you out of alignment.

If your wheels were castered to the front or rear, then you have a problem there, as caster is not adjustable from the factory.

Yes, a B13 has a sub frame and it bolts to the body. I'ts the most solid piece in the car. I actually had mine welded in after making sure the body was straight.

It's unlikely the sub frame itself is bent unless the vehicle was in a major accident and was repaired without the sub frame being checked.

It's more likely the body may be slightly bent although it's also possible the bolts holding the sub frame may have loosened and it shifted tiny bit.

I'd have a reliable body shop check things out.

how do I adjust the camber? I'm just going to do this myself.. I can adjust the toe perfectly fine its just the camber I'm not sure about seeing as the camber is like 10 degrees negative

Are your control arm bushings in good shape? What about your ball joint?

If your subframe/frame really is damaged and you have massive negative camber you could cheat and elongate the top hole in your strut ears to gain you some more camber adjustability.

You've got the option as well for some camber/caster adjustable top mounts.

Got any pics?

ball joints and tie rod ends are new and I have some ES control arm bushings I need to install however the bushings are fine how they are now. Just the sway bar bushing is bad

I looked at the control arm bushing and it does need to be changed. It's cracked and what not also the piece of the control arm that is right across from the ball joint, the mount for that looks kinda bent.. Not sure if thats how its supposed to be