1966 300 Front end issues...need help/advice!

[Kevin Brady]

Hi, just found this site...amazing! I have a very rust free 66 300 2dr, 440 TNT. I've had it about 10 yrs and drove it occasionally. The steering always seemed "off", stiff and not smooth., but....it handled fine. Well, I've decided to tear into it and start a reasonably in depth restoration. I pulled the engine/trans and quickly found the steering issue. Further examination shows that the car took a pretty bad hit right in the middle of the crossmember under the oil pan. I found a couple of sub frames online from scrap yards. Looking for thoughts, advice, suggestions on changing out the subframe.

 

[Davea Lux]

At the Mopar dealership years ago, we used to get police cruisers in with your exact problem, mostly from running over center medians and getting a hard hit to the cross-member that pushed everything else up as is indicated by your misaligned steering gear. As long as your sub-frame is not heavily rusted, you can have a frame shop pull it back down. This might be easier and cheaper than trying to replace the sub-frame. Replacing one of those is a major pain in the butt, and it is also getting difficult to find a rust free replacement.

Dave

 

[Big_John]

I think even if you decide to replace it, having a frame shop pull it back into place might save you a lot of headaches when you go to bolt the new one in.

 

[traintech55]

I agree with Dave on this one. With the engine and trans out a frame shop could pull it back in place in no time. If is is to badly bent then try Murray Park, he is your best shot for a replacement.