Thread: Subframe alignment and shock absorbers

I've got two questions for anyone willing to help. I'll try to paraphrase as best as I can.

First off, I dropped my subframe about a year ago for some transmission work (through the wheel well), and since then my steering wheel has been slightly off center and my tires have worn excessively on the outer edges. Considering my suspension has no loose components, I'd venture to guess my subframe is a bit cocked to one side. Is there an alignment procedure for W-body vehicles? This is an 05 GP to be specific.

Secondly, I've been looking at struts on Rock Auto and currently I just have KYB quick struts all around. There are ACDelco struts available which are described as "Premium Gas Charged". Are they similar to Bilstein in that they aren't just normal hydraulic struts? I understand the Bilstein struts will be better overall, but they are quite expensive and hard to find at this point.

By the time all the bolts are nearly tight, that frame can't move far. People usually go by the "witness marks" that the washer leaves on the mount, as far as I know. Meaning just try to put it back where it was. If you loosen all the bolts and can move it in a direction (Drop bolts and check for bent ones while you're at it.), then maybe it needed to go that way. Its a guessing game until its on an alignment or frame rack though. If you can center the steering and check wheelbase with a helper, that might give you an idea which way to try to shift the frame, in relation to the body.

I get it right everytime, I just tighten the bolts and stick a 1/2inch drive extention through the aliment holes in the subframe as I tighten the bolts.

So the aluminum subframes have alignment holes like the old steel ones? I'll be aligning the car at work soon enough, I just want to make the subframe as straight as I can beforehand so it doesn't mess with the load on the dogbone mounts. As it is now most of the tension is on only one mount due to the engine being cocked to one side (lower mounts are less than a year old.

Been forever since I seen a steel but yes aluminum at least for the grand prix has them

Originally Posted by nik12937

So the aluminum subframes have alignment holes like the old steel ones? I'll be aligning the car at work soon enough, I just want to make the subframe as straight as I can beforehand so it doesn't mess with the load on the dogbone mounts. As it is now most of the tension is on only one mount due to the engine being cocked to one side (lower mounts are less than a year old.

they all have holes to line up the frame.

you have oil leaks on the motor mount? i killed one in less then a year due to oil leaks. pop the hood, start it, hold the brakes and shift it from P to to R to D and back to R. if the mount is bad you'll see the engine flop back and fourth and even see the engine and tranny twist in the bay.

you cant miss them they are near the mounting bolts. theres a tool to line them up with. pretty much a rod.

The only oil leak I have is the typical seepage at the rear main seal. I've heard it's pretty common, and it doesn't leave any oil spots on the ground. The subframe is cocked to one side pretty good, enough to pull the toe in on both wheels. I'll make use of some 1/2" extensions (or anything else that fits well) and align it this week, then put the vehicle on the rack at work. We've been pretty dead at the dealership the past two weeks so I bet I can get it sorted out by the weekend. I appreciate the advice!

Out of curiosity, has anyone had experience with gas-charged shocks of any brand besides Bilsteins? I believe I found them on Rock Auto, but they're obscenely expensive.

I replaced my front struts with Moog quick struts and I have no complaints other than the front end sits a little higher than it did. I am hoping it settles more. I am going to replace the rears with Moogs also when I have the $$. I have used KYB once and that was on a Crown Vic I owned previously and I liked them. If you can find the Bilsteins I would go for them as they are better than most. As far as I know they are not an option for us 97-03 guys.