Gen 1 Rear Cross-Member

[95GS]

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

 

[pshojo]

The same for all gen 1

[Imp558]

Try car-part .com if none of the members here have anything.

[Heartbeat1991]

I have a solid one, but shipping would be pretty pricey.

[95GS]

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

[95GS]

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?

[95GS]

What are the options for reasonably priced lateral links?

 

Do Dorman make these?

[Heartbeat1991]

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.

[95GS]

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.

[Nas Escobar]

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.

[Imp558]

Chinese Matt makes a modded bar to allow for second gen adjustable lats.

[Imp558]

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

[95GS]

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.

[95GS]

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.

[Nas Escobar]

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

[95GS]

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?

[95GS]

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]

I have a set he made, now if I could only find the time to put my suspension together

[95GS]

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.

[95GS]

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.