Underbody jack point thing

[perilsofbeingn3d]

Hey i didnt know where this would fit but yeah here it is haha. This is a question about the jacking points (or more so, the whole thing) that run across the underbody (where the sideskirts would be).

Mine are all beat up from previous owner jacking it up there. Is there anything i can do about it? A friend suggested just sawing the whole thing off and rewelding a new piece in. That sounds like a lot of money. Maybe beat it back into shape? Are there any body shop guys that can tell me what needs to be done?

Thanks guys in advance.

regards
-jimmy

[97ScoobyL]

This area is called the "pinch weld", this is where all of yout panels are spot wlede together. I would take a hammer with a piece of metal on the opposite side and hit it, if you really want to make it straight. cutting and and welding, though it may look good, its a lot of work that must be done carefully. Personally i wouldn't worry about it.

[lorenkb]

It's not the best idea to try to bend the pinch welds back, and I certainly wouldn't spend all the time and effort required to replace them. Leave the pinch welds as is, and start jacking off the differential and the front jack plate (right below the steering rack on the GD's, not entirely sure if the GC's have those?) Better yet would be to get a skidplate and diff guard, and jack off of those ;)

[97ScoobyL]

haha or just use the piece of stub frame up front

[409industries]

If anyone has fubar'd pinch welds under the sidekskirts its me.

http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/hosting/project_rs/2009-5-17-RA_mspec_mudflaps/IMG_9401.jpg

I saw an excellent way to deal with this problem when I was at Team O'Neil rally school. Basically they take some small square stock metal that is one side short of being a full square (picture 3 sides, like a square taco).

They take the open side and slide it up over the OEM pinchweld and then stich weld the bar in place over the factory pinch weld. The car can then essentially be jacked up at any point under the side of the car. This is definitely on my to-do list for the rally car.

[WRXCMM]

LOL i thought i was the only one, i'll try to take a picture of it, all four courners are like that.:unamused:

[perilsofbeingn3d]

haha mine are as bad as yours. Let me know about the square block thing cuz everytime i walk to my car i see the horror haha.

[nkx]

i would love to see pics of this. the pinch welds are pretty beat up on the front of my brighton. i was thinking of just welding in some lengths of angle steel to brace the pinch welds after trying to straighten them out.

[KevinWelker]

I don't understand what all the 'to do' is about these things. From where I stand they serve no purpose. Do you guys pound out dents and repaint the underneath of your cars too? Seems like a lot of work with no real payback to me.

[carl]

I don't understand what all the 'to do' is about these things. From where I stand they serve no purpose. Do you guys pound out dents and repaint the underneath of your cars too? Seems like a lot of work with no real payback to me.
read my mind. about the only time i could ever see needing them is a flat on the side of the road with only a scissor jack

[nkx]

I don't understand what all the 'to do' is about these things. From where I stand they serve no purpose. Do you guys pound out dents and repaint the underneath of your cars too? Seems like a lot of work with no real payback to me.


ive been thinking about the answer to this for a while. it would be useful for me because i could put my jackstands where they're supposed to go, and maybe give me (back) an inch or so when its on the stands. if i had a lift, then yeah, i can see how it wouldnt serve a purpose.