Engine cradle bolts/bushings overhaul

RareGMFan · July 05, 2006, 07:56:28 PM

So.....since I found out this is where my horrible clunking and popping is coming from whenever I step on the brakes, accelerator, or turn the steering wheel, I've decided to change out anything and everything related to holding the engine cradle in place. If I'm understanding this correctly, there are going to be 4 nuts and 4 bolts in all? And then upper and lower bushings at each corner? And MOST importantly, does anyone have part numbers for all this? The people working at the dealerships around here are idiots, and I know they're going to screw this up, so this would be most helpfull to counter check what they come up with.

mfewtrail · July 05, 2006, 11:47:30 PM

Dikran, here's a scan of a GP parts catalog w/ the bolt/bushing/etc. info listed. ;) The link to the parts catalog scans is also in the "common part numbers" thread here by the way.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/platjblser/gp5.jpg

EDIT: Forgot to mention that you're probably going to have to wait a day or two before you can get the bolts since they're most likely going to have to order them.

Prospeeder · July 05, 2006, 11:47:47 PM

Wondering the same. How much would a dealer want to do it, im not fond of working with rusty parts that could break

RareGMFan · July 06, 2006, 12:05:39 AM

Thanks a million, Matt!

Pro - I'm not letting the dealer touch it. When I took it in and they told me my VIN isn't showing up for the recall, I asked them what it would cost to atleast get the car in the air and confirm where the noise is coming from. They said a road test is $140. :icon_eek: I was like uhhh, ok, buh-bye. I'm going to have another shop do them. I hope this thing holds for just a few more days. :willy_nilly:

Prospeeder · July 06, 2006, 12:32:29 AM

eh be a good idea, dealers are exspensive, mines not creakin yet, but the retainers are gettin rusty

GangstGP · July 06, 2006, 11:25:21 AM

check the a-arm bushings with a prybar and possibly the rack and pinion. might work itself loose- just to give you some more things to check. mines creaking too and I cant tell what it is yet.

RareGMFan · July 06, 2006, 04:52:40 PM

Well I know the steering has some horrible slack in it, and pulls to the left and right if I hit a crack or groove. I'm assuming it's the rack? Maybe I should get this looked at further by someone before I blow a ton of money on the cradle thing, though I know that one bushing is done, and needs to be replaced.

I was planning on getting:

2 front & 2 rear

Insulator bolts
Insulator retainers
Lower sub-frame insulators (aka bushings)
Upper sub-frame insulators
Upper spacer

It's going to come out to about $141 +tax with my discount from the dealer ($176 retail). So.....is this overkill?

Invasion1 · July 06, 2006, 05:03:02 PM

thats a steal compared to what it costs here man!!!

wanna buy me the same and mail it to me?? :icon_lol:

RareGMFan · July 07, 2006, 11:48:41 AM

I just got back from the same shop that did the CV axle. I got under the car with the owner when he got it on the lift. I could clearly see the top of the front passenger side bolt, on account of the cradle sagging a good inch or two on that side. You can easily fit a finger over the top of it. So that pretty much convinced me that this is the problem. Even on the very slight chance that this isn't it, and there's something else going on, it's pretty clear that this has to be done pronto, regardless. I'm going to try to use the car as little as possible till the parts are in, depending on whether I can get a ride to and from work for Monday and Tuesday. The parts, as several mentioned would be the case, are going to take a couple of days to come in.

Is it common for the bolts to break while removing these? That's my biggest fear, now. I won't be attempting it myself. The shop that replaced the CV axle will be doing it. I'm going to have a heart attack before this is all over.

Quote from: Invasion1 on July 06, 2006, 05:03:02 PM
thats a steal compared to what it costs here man!!!

wanna buy me the same and mail it to me?? :icon_lol:

If you're serious, I'm sure I can arrange that. :icon_biggrin: Let me see what the official total comes out to with tax and everything later today.

GangstGP · July 07, 2006, 11:56:56 AM

I seriously would consider dropping in a new rack at the same time and kill two issues at the same time. when I got my new rack finally it was like night and day. then I got new wheel bearings and lower ball joints and the only thing left for me now is the cradle.