TeamSwift

89 Swift GTi

Last night my passenger front suspension collapsed on me. I was doing a u-turn about 5 mph. The wheel has noticeable negative camber and is at the back of the wheel well. I had it towed but I did poke around first and other than the sway bar link breaking free, I couldn't see anything obvious (like a broken bracket) at first glance. I'll look closer later in the week. The car had gotten squirrely on me a couple of times the day before, but I hadn't had a chance to check it out before it went. Any ideas what I should prepare for? I was thinking it might just be a broken strut, but I don't know.

a common failure here in the new england rust belt is the "frame horn" rusting out. The a arm separates from the bit of rusted metal where it was and you ride on the wheel well. I bought a 92 that suffered this fate hoping to put the 3/5 eng/trans into my 98 swift 4cyl. auto but most everything is different due to the age difference.

I am looking through for info on this repair and I am surprized not to find anything yet. I have seen pictures of rust repairs, but this would need to be reconstructed without any reference points.

Hope this was not your fate

there are more posts and project pics on frame horn repairs at geometroforum.com .

here's one to start you off:
http://geometroforum.com/topic/5036219/1/

look for p.a.framefixer on the gmf site and youtube.

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1991 Blue Geo Metro Convertible highly modified 1.0L Turbo3 5 spd. - 2000 Chevy Metro 1.3L MPFI automatic. - 1991 Red Geo Metro Convertible customized 1.0L 5 spd.

My Turbo3 Project

My Cardomain Page -Ol' Blue

My YouTube Channel

My Photo Gallery

SAAB Sonett II

Turns out the front A arm bolt on the passenger side broke. Had to drill it out and retap the hole. New bolt, good to go.

The EXACT same bolt on the drivers side broke about 19 years ago.

Funny, I wonder if anyone else has had this issue?

although i'm a veteran of drilling and tapping those bolts, i've never had one just up and snap on me.

it sounds like you have a way better deal than a rusted, busted frame horn. it's your lucky day.

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1991 Blue Geo Metro Convertible highly modified 1.0L Turbo3 5 spd. - 2000 Chevy Metro 1.3L MPFI automatic. - 1991 Red Geo Metro Convertible customized 1.0L 5 spd.

My Turbo3 Project

My Cardomain Page -Ol' Blue

My YouTube Channel

My Photo Gallery

SAAB Sonett II

Tell me about it! Rust is usually not a big problem here, too far from the gulf and no snow.