95GS Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 Greetings all. My 95 GS daily driver has a rotten rear cross-member (cradle), cracked from rust & fatigue, leaving the monoleaf & lateral links without rigid support. Hence, undriveable. These cradles are not easily sourced in eastern Canada (Quebec) - cars of this vintage tend to meet the crusher. Are cradles available from southern bone yards? Even the entire assembly, with links & leaf? Is the cross member common to all Gen 1 W-bodies? Is it used in later models, if so, how recent? I've yet to tear it apart, but have read some helpful threads here by CSI Munky, BXX, and others...thanks, it seems do-able. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pshojo Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 The same for all gen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 Try car-part .com if none of the members here have anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartbeat1991 Posted July 27, 2016 Report Share Posted July 27, 2016 I have a solid one, but shipping would be pretty pricey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted July 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2016 Thanks for these replies. I'd not heard of car-part.com. Heartbeat - You could be right about shipping. What do you think it weighs? I'll send you a PM if new members are permitted. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted July 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2016 Do the bolts which secure the cross member to the unibody tap into captive nuts welded to the body? Are these accessible from above in case there's a rust-out problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted July 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 What are the options for reasonably priced lateral links? Do Dorman make these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartbeat1991 Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 I've never seen replacement links, so I can't say for sure if they are available. I know the bushings are. It bolts up from the bottom with 2 bolts into captive nuts. There's not access from the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted July 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 Thanks heartbeat, I may have muddled terms. By lateral links I mean rear control arms: - the 4 long skinny bars bracing the wheel spindles to the center of the rear cross member. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Escobar Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 I thought those were the fixed lateral links. The bars that have 2 going to each spindle on opposing ends and go to the center and need that stupid tool to get them to move when you're getting an alignment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 Chinese Matt makes a modded bar to allow for second gen adjustable lats. rich_e777 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 http://www.w-body.com/topic/54489-adjustable-lateral-links-on-ebay/?do=findComment&comment=1207485 Chinese Matt makes a modded bar to allow for second gen adjustable lats. Can't find the thread but it's reference is here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted August 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2016 I thought those were the fixed lateral links. The bars that have 2 going to each spindle on opposing ends and go to the center and need that stupid tool to get them to move when you're getting an alignment. Right. The originals look flimsy, though mine are straight. I thought there might be a modest upgrade available. Held and other performance suppliers are exce$$ive for my needs, esp. with the low Cdn dollar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted August 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2016 http://www.w-body.com/topic/54489-adjustable-lateral-links-on-ebay/?do=findComment&comment=1207485 Chinese Matt makes a modded bar to allow for second gen adjustable lats. Can't find the thread but it's reference is here Thanks Imp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Escobar Posted August 1, 2016 Report Share Posted August 1, 2016 Aren't those for the fronts? I was told you could fit 2nd gen adjustable links in the rear if you convert to coil overs in the back and delete the monoleaf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted August 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2016 So..I see there are Dorman trailing arms as an inexpensive upgrade for the 1st gen U-channel arms. Not racing strong, but better than OEM - good for me & my DD. Does a similar upgrade exist for the 4 lateral link bars? >>Better than flat rectangle OEM, but not BMR/Held priced? Any GMPP used bars for sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted August 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Chinese Matt makes a modded bar to allow for second gen adjustable lats. I didn't know what you meant. But after reading your link & other threads I figured it out and contacted Matt. Thanks for the lead and for the car-part.com site - a v. interesting resource. Imp558 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp558 Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 I have a set he made, now if I could only find the time to put my suspension together rich_e777 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted August 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Since I need to get mine together soon, I'll probably keep the original flat bars for now. Surprisingly, they're still available from GM, but @ $150 for each long one, $125 for each short one. $550 CDN + tx. for the set of 4. None too appealing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95GS Posted August 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 I have a solid one, but shipping would be pretty pricey. A public thank you to Heartbeat. He sent me a nice crossmember in good condition at a generous price. Shipping to Canada was reasonably priced (UPS - 3 day) @ $67 CDN, then the usual custom brokerage pile-on @ $44 CDN. For those who may be interested. Thanks for your efforts Heartbeat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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