Crossmember / control arm question

[rdx4me]

Replaced the front control arm on my S14 and noticed that on the crossmember that the control arm bolts onto. The front hole is round but the rear hole is oblong, is it supposed to be like? It took a hard curb hit, that is why I replaced the control arm...

[gumby74]

I am trying really hard to visualize what you just posted in a positive light, so that I wont have to tell you that your x-member is jacked up............your crossmember is jacked up. How fast were you going when you hit, and how is the wheel and tire?

[rdx4me]

The lip of the rim was shattered but the tire was ok. Control arm was bent as was the inner tie rod. Cross member appears straight, only the rearward bolt hole is elongated. If this is not normal, perhaps I could weld a large washer on the outside of the crossmember. That would take care of the bolthole?

How difficult / expensive is it to replace the crossmember? I've called every salvage yard in my phonebook and there isn't a 95 S14 anywhere...

[gumby74]

If you can verify the straightness, and can weld, I would consider that a band-aid solution. Check on your local/regional automotive boards classifieds. Hell, I got curios one night and keyed in Texas 240, and bam, there it was! Dont know if this is your d/d,but if you must, the McGyverism will get you by. Just remember that is a kind of important mounting point, and you may have caused more damage than is apparent right now.