Can I replace the front crossmember - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Dr.Spocktagon · 03-06-2018, 11:27 AM

In my 2013 FRS I jumped a median this morning at 8:00 trying to navigate to an off ramp that’s in the center of a busy four lane. I didn’t make it. Looks like the cross member is bent and the skid plate, and the hood won’t shut. I’d like to do most of the work myself, then take it to an alignment specialist. Is this doable?

wparsons · 03-06-2018, 12:54 PM

If the hood won't shut right, there's probably more bent than just the crossmember and skid plate... I'd bet you've bent the rad support, or even the front frame rails themselves.

I'd get it looked at by a pro first, then decide if you want to take on the work.

Dr.Spocktagon · 03-06-2018, 01:59 PM

Thank you. It does look like that.

Dr.Spocktagon · 03-06-2018, 05:29 PM

I took it to a couple shops this afternoon. The radiator support is pushed up just a tad. The first shop offered to “bend it back” with a “frame bender.” Looks like I’m going to research replacing the damaged parts of the radiator support myself. I’ll also put an aftermarket header on at some point since the stock shroud is bent. The crossmember was fine. I was looking at the radiator support thinking it was the crossmember. So, I’ll take the bumper off, take the bent support parts off, check out the radiator and compressor, and see where I’m at. I’ll be looking for info while I’m taking it apart.

nocoolname · 03-06-2018, 07:50 PM

You'll need a spot weld cutter and welder to replace what's bent, and that's just the beginning, you'll need the factory measurements to make sure it's all square before spot welding, you'll have to paint the replacement pieces and welded areas and so on. This isn't a DIY thing.

Dr.Spocktagon · 03-06-2018, 08:11 PM

That’s very helpful. I have a welder machinist friend who seems interested. If we’re going to do it I’ll have to look for those measurements. Thank you. I’ll report back if I make any progress.

wparsons · 03-07-2018, 03:29 PM

Welding is the easy part, it's making sure the car is straight before welding it back in place that's the hard part. It'll need to be on a frame machine to determine this, which means a good shop.

GrantedTaken · 03-07-2018, 04:28 PM

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAfzPHA_QcY"]BRZ Resurrection Part 1 - Where it all started... or didnt. - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4BOHfbVPqQ&t=364s"]BRZ Resurrection Part 2 - Hood, Fenders, And Core Support - YouTube[/ame]

Dr.Spocktagon · 03-08-2018, 03:57 PM

Those videos are great. I decided to get a really good shop to do it. I want it to be right. Now I need to figure out what to upgrade while it’s taken apart. I’m definitely replacing the header.

03-06-2018, 11:27 AM	#1
Dr.Spocktagon Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Drives: 2013 Asphault FRS Location: Asheboro NC Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Can I replace the front crossmember In my 2013 FRS I jumped a median this morning at 8:00 trying to navigate to an off ramp that’s in the center of a busy four lane. I didn’t make it. Looks like the cross member is bent and the skid plate, and the hood won’t shut. I’d like to do most of the work myself, then take it to an alignment specialist. Is this doable? Last edited by Dr.Spocktagon; 03-06-2018 at 05:39 PM. Reason: Added year and model of car

03-06-2018, 01:59 PM	#3
Dr.Spocktagon Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Drives: 2013 Asphault FRS Location: Asheboro NC Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thank you. It does look like that. Last edited by Dr.Spocktagon; 03-06-2018 at 05:35 PM.

03-06-2018, 07:50 PM	#5
nocoolname Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Drives: 2013 BRZ Location: Kentucky Posts: 66 Thanks: 17 Thanked 45 Times in 29 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You'll need a spot weld cutter and welder to replace what's bent, and that's just the beginning, you'll need the factory measurements to make sure it's all square before spot welding, you'll have to paint the replacement pieces and welded areas and so on. This isn't a DIY thing. __________________ 2001 MR-S - long, slow, rebuild 2000 MR-S - 2zz swapped daily 2013 BRZ limited - new toy

03-06-2018, 08:11 PM	#6
Dr.Spocktagon Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Drives: 2013 Asphault FRS Location: Asheboro NC Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	That’s very helpful. I have a welder machinist friend who seems interested. If we’re going to do it I’ll have to look for those measurements. Thank you. I’ll report back if I make any progress. Last edited by Dr.Spocktagon; 03-06-2018 at 08:29 PM.

03-08-2018, 03:57 PM	#9
Dr.Spocktagon Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Drives: 2013 Asphault FRS Location: Asheboro NC Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Those videos are great. I decided to get a really good shop to do it. I want it to be right. Now I need to figure out what to upgrade while it’s taken apart. I’m definitely replacing the header. Last edited by Dr.Spocktagon; 03-09-2018 at 08:40 AM.

03-06-2018, 05:29 PM	#4
Dr.Spocktagon Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Drives: 2013 Asphault FRS Location: Asheboro NC Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I took it to a couple shops this afternoon. The radiator support is pushed up just a tad. The first shop offered to “bend it back” with a “frame bender.” Looks like I’m going to research replacing the damaged parts of the radiator support myself. I’ll also put an aftermarket header on at some point since the stock shroud is bent. The crossmember was fine. I was looking at the radiator support thinking it was the crossmember. So, I’ll take the bumper off, take the bent support parts off, check out the radiator and compressor, and see where I’m at. I’ll be looking for info while I’m taking it apart.

03-07-2018, 04:28 PM	#8
GrantedTaken Banned Join Date: Nov 2017 Drives: BRZ Location: The Sun Posts: 428 Thanks: 30 Thanked 230 Times in 113 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAfzPHA_QcY"]BRZ Resurrection Part 1 - Where it all started... or didnt. - YouTube[/ame] [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4BOHfbVPqQ&t=364s"]BRZ Resurrection Part 2 - Hood, Fenders, And Core Support - YouTube[/ame]

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