SO i crashed my NA into a tree, supprisingly, when i removed the fender there was only a small bent portion up by the headlight that i can pound out with a BFH. However the control arms are toast which is no big deal.

THE problem is that the upper control arm mount is slightly bent on one side. will this affect my alignment terribly?
so what should i do? my father has a really nice miller welder and could properly cut the bent section out and remake it with stainless steel. or should i just BFH it too?

Im a poor college kid and would rather not have to purchase a new sub-frame.

any advice would be appreciated...and any thread without pictures is useless...so ill post pictures soon.

 

advise- take it to a frame straightener, seen a few cars that were jacked bad in the front fixed this way. obviously get quotes first

 

thats what my dad suggested...but ive seen some of the prices and all i can say is ouch. it would be cheaper to get a new subframe

 

could try a big ratchet cable setup

 

i have never herd of such a thing...care to enlighten me good sir?

 

keep the car in one place chain holding it to a tree, use a cable ratchet also known as a come-along to pull it back into shape. have to be very careful doing this though, can do alot of damage very quickly.
PS. and if it doesn't look completely redneck your doing it wrong.

 

I used a winch and did this with my Nissans radiator support. STRONG word of advice, as mentioned, go slowwwww.

 

Having 4 sons .I have had a lot of practice straightening stuff out
Using a hold and ratchet methad will work in most casses
I have not done this on miata but would say put a chain up close to the damaged area tie it to a tree or light pole and then take a comealong and hook to the sub and start jacking
If you are not in a big hurry you may be able to find a used one in the 25 to 40 dollar range
I have seen them on e-bay buy now for that

 

I have a tree with a very heavy cable attached at the top of my drive. So far at least 3 Miata have been straightened out by backing down the drive at various speeds.