How Dangerous is a Cracked Subframe?
It’s a beautiful day outside. Perfect, in fact, for a long, relaxing cruise through Orange County. So you jump in your vintage beauty, rev the engine, and hit the streets, eager to enjoy the ride. But it’s not long into the trip that you notice your car is acting up.
The wheels do not track right, alignment is a bit off, and your vehicle is making some pretty disconcerting sounds. Right away, you know what’s up. It’s time to take your car to a chassis and subframe swap service in Orange County because the supporting frame has either bent or cracked.
Is a cracked subframe dangerous?
A subframe is a critical component of your vehicle. It’s structural unit car manufacturers use to create a mounting point for other essential parts, such as:
Engine;
Suspension;
Steering, etc.
As you can see, a damaged or otherwise defective subframe is something you should never ignore. If left unattended, this issue can cause catastrophic damage to the primary frame of your vehicle and damage its key systems in a variety of different ways. Therefore, it’s essential to identify and fix subframe cracks early, before the problem can get worse.
What can cause a subframe to crack?
In the majority of cases, subframe damage is a result of a high-speed (i.e. 30+ mph) collision. Keep in mind that this doesn’t necessarily mean a collision with another vehicle. Hitting a curb or a pothole can also cause the subframe to crack or bend.
Another common reason for subframe damage is bushings decay. Over time, bushings can rot and fall apart. When this happens, suspension and/or steering parts start rubbing against each other, causing massive deterioration over a short period.
Lastly, we have simple wear-and-tear. Vintage cars are old, so it's normal for them to show some signs of wear and a cracked subframe can be one of those signs.
Can I drive with a bad subframe?
Some people drive around with a cracked subframe for quite a while. After all, it’s often difficult to identify subframe issues in their early stages. So, technically, yes – you can drive with a bad subframe.
However, doing so will, most definitely, negatively affect the performance of your car and cause various safety issues. Continuing to do so for a long time will exacerbate the problem and lead to even greater damages. For this reason, you should always address the problem as soon as possible.
What to do when you have a cracked subframe?
It depends on the extent of the damage. If you caught the problem in its early stages, it’s possible to fix it without too much trouble. However, if the damage is too extensive to be repaired, your only choice is to replace the whole subframe.
Either way, it’s crucial to take your vehicle to a reputable classic car restoration company the moment you notice the issue. It’s the only certain way to assess the seriousness of the problem and determine the right course of action.
Where to find the best chassis and subframe swap service in Orange County?
To ensure your classic ride can handle those satisfying drives down Pacific Coast Highway, your subframe must be impeccable. And the best way to achieve that is with the help of Chimera Motors.
As the leading classic car restoration, repair, and maintenance company in Orange County, we’re here to make certain that your vintage beauty remains reliable for many years to come. Feel free to visit our shop today or reach out to us via phone if you'd like to learn more about who we are and why we're the best!
