Smashed "frame rail" - What is it?

[Tobuk]

So I dropped my car off a Mitsu dealership the other day as I was hearing noises coming from my suspension that I assumed was from the ball-joints that were recalled. Well, it wasn't them, but instead I guess the front left side of the "frame rail" was obviously hit and smashed in. The previous owner either did not know about this or failed to tell me when I was buying it from him (i'm thinking it's the latter of those two).

So, there is nothing they can do for it, so they referred me to a body shop they think is good, etc. etc. So now I need to ask around at shops to see what it will take to fix it.

So what exactly does this "frame rail" do for the car? It's driven fine the entire time I've owned the car. Is this "rail" just structural support? Or does it hold something? Any help is appreciated.

I fear how much this will cost to fix...

 

[Raph]

do they mean the engine /tranny cradle or the i beams up front.. i guess if its the beam,the shop should pull it out/or cut and weld in a new piece i guess.

or you could leave it and let it rust. (have it looked at, since you have no pics for us,have a proffesional look at it and advise you what to do)

 

[Tobuk]

do they mean the engine /tranny cradle or the i beams up front.. i guess if its the beam,the shop should pull it out/or cut and weld in a new piece i guess.

or you could leave it and let it rust. (have it looked at, since you have no pics for us,have a proffesional look at it and advise you what to do)

Okay I picked up the car today, and he explained it a bit more to me. He said it's the cradle for the suspension that's making noise. There are three bolts and one is broken, which is allowing a little movement, hense the noises.

According to him it won't hurt anything, but the car is not as strong as a "structure" since there are places that have been bent. He said it will just be the source of some really annoying sounds until I get it fixed.

I'm going to have an actually body shop inspect it here next week and see what they say.... oh joy.

 

[Raph]

aah.. well you need to get that bolt replaced.. maybe a junkyard has a 2g without an engine and tranny..just pic up the cradle off of it.