Looking for a shop in the Cleveland area

Hi all,

I just got my MM full legth powdercoated subframe connectors and I'm looking for a good place that can weld.

I'd do it myself, but living in an apartment complex has its disadvantages..

I don't think it has to be a speed shop.. Just someplace that has a drive-on lift and someone who is good with a MIG welder.

I'm actually living in Mentor, but willing to drive so if anyone knows of any good places let me know!!

Thanks!!
Riley

dustang50 said:

I'm in Madison, which is about 20 minutes East of Mentor. There are two places that I always go - #1 is Mentor Discount Muffler on 615, just South of Rt 2. I'm friends with the owner & he takes care of most everything on my Stang when I can't do it myself. #2 is Skinny's Garage in Willoughby/Eastlake. This guy has a few Mustangs himself & I highly recommend him.

Let me know if you need phone numbers.

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Thanks,

I just took my car to Mentor Discount Muffler.. First off, I want to thank you for the tips and this is in NO way directed negatively at you (I know you were helping) but..

What a HORRIBLE experience.. I arrived at 6pm and asked when they closed.. They said we're actually closed now, but what do you need. I told them I needed my subframe connectors installed and the guy said he'd done more than 25 installs in the past and if I had them in my car he'd do them now.. I thought "great" and said lets do it..

I waited for about 20 minutes for another guy's truck to be done and I had no problem with it because obviously these guys were going out of their way to help me out.

I got my car on the ramps and we lifted it up.. I specifically told him to NOT weld across the subframe and to only weld on the sides of the subframe. He complained that wasn't the proper way to do it and that he would only do it right or not at all. I told him that in the instructions Maximum Motorsports gave me they said NOT to do it because it will create fatigue in the subframe. He finally agreed and then told me "To stop reading so much".

If anyone has seen a set of MM's new full-length connectors you get a bunch of little elbows to attach the main connector to the seat braket. I showed the guy where they go and he told me they were useless and to throw them out. Then I showed him the reinforcement piece that gets welded to the bend in the pipe and he told me THAT was for connecting to the seat bracket.. I set him straigt and he complained that they were the "Worst subframe connectors he's ever seen"..

So I had to tell him to do it my way. He said fine and then proceeded to say that he has 18 trophies for all the racecars he built in the past and a bunch of other stuff..

So, I had to leave the shop area because they were welding and then they call me back in..

THEY DIDN'T EVEN MAKE SURE THE SUBFRAME CONNECTORS WERE FLUSH AGAINST THE CAR.

On the driver's side the back is flush, but there is about a 1/4" of free space between the front of the subframe connector and the car. He filled it in with weld. The passenger's side is the same.

Needless to say the job quality is piss poor. I only hope all the welds hold..

Riley

The feel of the car seems to be OK.. And the connectors are definitely doing something.. Just a VERY crappy installation..

Riley

Dustang50, do you have the owner's number for Mentor Muffler? I'd like to give him a call and let him know what went on.. I'm sure he won't find out otherwise..

Riley

ProCharger GT said:

Riley - go see Keith @ Big Shot Dyno or Hutter Racing in Chardon

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Thanks, I will definitely check them out in the future. I'd like to have these guys fix it though. Or at least give me my money back so I can take to somewhere else.

I'm going to try and stop by today and see if the owner is in..

Thanks!!
Riley

Well I've taken another look under the car in the light and I've found that the damage isn't as bad as I thought. The job is still piss poor, but it's not as bad as I though.

I can fit about 2 CD's (maybe three) between the front subframe and the connector. The welds are pretty good and look like they will hold.

If I have it redone I will have to have all the welds ground off. I'm thinking about just getting 4 more of the little steel reinforcement plates and using them to weld along the sides of the front subframe. I think that will make it just as strong as if it were done properly, or maybe stronger if it doesn't actually matter if the connector and the subframe sit flush..

Thoughts?

Lol.. I was soo pissed last night when I found out about this.. I didn't even have dinner I felt sick to my stomach.. My baby was worked on by a quack..

Riley