Engine Cradle Broken

Engine Cradle Broken
I have posted a previous thread about the same 93 tarus but it was about power windows. My Problem now is the engine cradle mounts have rusted out and broken through, thus dropping my engine and nearly causing me to loose control. I was able to limp home but it wasnt easy. My question is..Is it possible to replace the engine cradle? If so is it a big Job? Or should I just junk the car. I dont have any money so I have hopes that this is repairable.
Thanks :banghead:

posted by  jpary

dude that car is not the best thing ever made. what i would do is either take the engine out and reweld places for new engine mounts and cradle or i would just junk the thing because you never know what else is going to happen. at 65mph you dont want you stuff falling to the ground. so get a new car man.

posted by  frizzal

Thanks For the reply.
I wish I could take that advice but unfortunately I am currently dealing with the worste string of bad luck I have ever encountered and I am completely serious when I say I do not have any money to be buying even a couple hundred dollar cluncker. I know thaqt something else could fall off while driving but at this point it would just put me out of my misery without hopefully taking anybody else out. I could concievably take back roads to all my destinations so I'm not driving that fast but what I do know is that I must find a way to fix this. I've been speaking with some people who are not experts or anything but they say it may be possible to have plates welded to the arm and redrill the holes and maybe mount it back up that way?? I'm going to take some pics and take them to a shop or two and see what they say. maybe I can post a reply to this thread with the pics attached and see what you think?

Thanks again!!! :banghead:

posted by  jpary

I dont know how really but you can replace them. Pics might help a little more (so we know how bad it is) and i can try asking some people. There will also be more people who will check out this thread i'm sure.

posted by  car_crazy89

engine cradles can be replaced and there not really hard to do if you have the tools you need to support the car body support the engine and tranny then start to unbolt suspension(control arms) from the cradle then the engine and tranny mounts then the 4 mounting bolts to body this is where the trouble begins the bolt have been there for so long and rusted they may snap instead of coming out once thats done then you can start to put it back together

with the age of the car and posiable body condition i would just patch this side check with the dealer as there was a recall for this problem and they may have the updated mounting bolts and bushing and you may not have to pay for this fix

posted by  osborste

well i tell you it can be fixed. i would need to see pics and have dementions in order for me to go into detail. that way i can see how bad the problem is and what we can do to ensure it wont happen again. so post pics of it and ill see what i can find out from some friends.

posted by  frizzal

did those giant washers rust off? or did it rust out were the big bolt threads into the body?

posted by  dodger65

ok got some pic off the net showing the frame/mounts

posted by  osborste

Cheeper to replace the parts if posible, a welder (I am one) won't touch this and if they did it would cost too much. If you have a buddy who is a welder it's an option, but that's all I can say on the matter.
Good luck, sounds like you need it:(

posted by  AofI

:cussing: Thanks for all the greate feedback on this. After more review it does look like it is the big washers that were so rusted that they bent and squeezed through the hole. I have posted some picks although I dont know if this will help. I have tried to take one of them out but after getting it so loose now the nut or whatever it is on the inside that I can not see or get at is turning too. How can I get this to stop. Once I do get them out what are they called so I know what to ask for when I go to buy new ones. Maybe I would be better off going to a junk yard for them? Any idea what they might cost? Again, Thanks for all the greate replies, it has helped me tremendously!!!!
Shoot, my file sizes are too large. How can I change them to be small enough to attach them? Thanks yet again!!

posted by  jpary

Well, I found that the problem I'm having is a recall from 98. I took it in and they are estimating the damage at 1400 not including labor! I think they are going to try to buy me out of the car but I'm afraid of what they will offer. If I decline the offer, do they have to repair it?

posted by  jpary

well if its a recall then it shouldnt have to cost you anything right?

posted by  Pinstriper38

Right but now they are saying the damage is over 1700 and my Service Rep says they will prob total the car and pay me for it but they prob wont give me whats its worth if I no Ford. I'm just wondering if I can force them to fix it since it's there fault in the first place.

posted by  jpary

you best to call ford head office usa or find a laywer that will give you free advice on this
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
P.O.Box 6248
Dearborn, Michigan 48126
1-800-392-3673(FORD)
TDD for the hearing impaired:1-800-232-5952
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM local time

not bad there close to home

posted by  osborste

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