Heavy steering with no centering

[Croc]

On 11/24/2021 at 10:49 PM, Sevins7 said:

 I can see a bend in the front cross member where the horns are.

 

 

Ouch!  Thats hefty.  Shape and size looks like the engine impacted it at some point in its life - failed engine mount under braking?  Or an "oops" when when reinstalling? 

[Christopher smith]

Looks like the photo of damage was taken from below, so maybe the car ran over a large rock or similar? Hope it can be fixed easily. I modified my frame per the old SCCA D production racing specification but recently added a bit more in the way of a small bolted on "skid plate" more to protect the oil pan than the frame. I think that was typical practice on rally cars, but on the streets around here we have neighborhood citizen highway engineered speed bumps way too often ( have not scraped yet). Also it was a place to put an eye bolt if it ever needs towing and serves as a great front central jacking point.

[Sevins7]

The dent is on the back side, like it was towed. It would have been more on the bottom or front if it hit a bump or rock I think (assuming it was going forward). Not sure about the motor hitting it. This car has done less than 1000 miles and I just don't see it breaking an engine mount in that short time. What's puzzling is that there is a tow eye right there so why not use it? Unless it was a chain maybe. All speculation. I will do a drop test.