Hello everyone,

I recently buried my 95 escort into a curb while trying to make it up a driveway on a snowy new years eve. The skid plate under the car that runs from the crossmember under the radiator, under the engine and tranny, to the rear frame brace was bent badly. I managed to hobble home with the part hitting the ground when I hit bumps. I made it out to the local graveyard and found the part at a resonable price. I took the old one out, just to find that the new piece is too long by about an inch. I believe that the crossmember under the radiator gave way under the impact and now the bolt holes don't line up. First off, is this piece necessary, or can I go without? Second, if I need the piece, how can I straighten out the front end or replace the bent crossmember? I tried to hammer on the crossmember to straighten it out, and its not going anywhere. Also, after the impact, the idling vibrations became much stronger, especially in reverse. They aren't the end of the world, but definitely a sign that something isn't right. That appears to be the only damage other than the fact that the hood will only close now with a swift slam. Any help will be much appreciated to get this car back on the road again!!!

-TT

 

Sounds like a doozy. You can wrap a chain around a big tree and to crossmember and give a swift tug in reverse to try and get it pulled out a bit.. IMO it sounds like you may have damaged an engine mount to be getting the vibrations you have..

 

The only problem with that method is that the radiator sits directly on the crossmember. I was thinking of something along those lines, but I would hate to trash my radiator as well. I also thought about the engine mount problem, but the impact didn't seem that severe. It is a definite possibility, but I will probably live with it given the fact that it is only in reverse; it vibrates normal in forward gear (D, 2, L) as well as Neutral.

 

Exhaust manifold might be vibrating against cooling fans then when If you have a buddy that has 4x4 truck with hitch you could get them to yank on it by wraping the chain hook ends into support.

 

Hmm, I saw a video of someone doing that...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...14257918927545