What causes A-Pillar Cracks?...picture

[5.0 Nostalgia]

I have noticed that there are two cracks on the passenger side A-Pillar of my car. They have been there since I bought the car two years ago. Just wondering what they could be caused by. I have heard that abuse can cause this. There are some waves in the rear quarter on that side as well. Not too bad, they are actually only noticable being that the car is black and everything can be seen. The torque boxes are in decent condition. The one on the passenger side is actually in better shape than the driver's side (small crack due to a previous owner trying to jack the car up on it). The car was never in an accident so it cannot be from that.

Anyway here is a picture of what I am talking about.

 

[FrdMustangCpe]

probably some sort of stress crack, does the car have subframe connectors? some hard cornering maybe fat guy sat on the roof

 

[cjman15]

Subframes would help stiffen it up a good bit. I need a set for my car.

 

[Mavrick]

That is from the car twisting, a result of power/torque. When you launch the car, it will torque one way more than the other, and this causes cracks in such places as the A pillar's, they are the weakest point.

Sub frames would help a great deal.

 

[JETHRO]

the factory lead is in that spot to. thats where they put the roof together. look at other cars with more power and no subframes.

 

[Stang951]

I saw a 4 banger that happened too also. Eventually it cracked the roof as well. Better stiffen that thing up fast.

 

[88stangmangt]

yup it is from all those times you mashed the throttle to the ground at the stop light.

 

[00 Red SS]

guess i can expect that to happen too, when i launch my left tire is about 18"s off the ground and my right will barely crack off the ground it is pretty viscous.

 

[88stangmangt]

guess i can expect that to happen too, when i launch my left tire is about 18"s off the ground and my right will barely crack off the ground it is pretty viscous.

if that is true the paint chiping would be the least of my worrys.

 

[DirtyD916]

get teh subframes, they rock.

 

[HighMileage]

yup it is from all those times you mashed the throttle to the ground at the stop light.

Yup.

Also, not to forget good tires. Without a good set, torque alone shouldn't damage the car.

 

[5.0 Nostalgia]

I thought that it was caused by abuse. Unfortunately, the cracks were there when I bought the car so I didn't get to have the fun. How big of a deal is this? Does this mean that the body of the car is twisted? As I said earlier, the torque boxes on the car are fine and the floor pans are perfect.

Here is the driver's side torque box of my car. As you can see, there is some minor damage to the outside of it (left side). From the looks of it, this was caused by someone using it as a jacking point. I already have subframe connectors, but I don't like them and will be replacing them with some Global West subframes and Wild Rides torque box reinforcements. I have all the parts in stock, just waiting to get them on.

 

[PNY PWR]

the factory lead is in that spot to

Yep

The waves on the rear quarter right behind the 1/4 window are very common. I had them till the new paint job. My torque boxes are a little mangles too from jacking, no biggie.

 

[bmo37]

how about the engine chassis brace that connects the 2 strut towers

 

[PNY PWR]

I plan on getting a strut tower brace in the near future. Anything to stiffen up the car is good. Won't really stiffen the chassis like sfc's, but will kepp the strut towers squared up.

 

[Bigstang1]

I just ordered some subframe connectors and i am thinking about the torque box reinforcments too. Should i get them? My car is mostly stock and it has bever had slicks on it ever. I am in the process of swapping to a 5speed now which i assume will put more stress on everything. Has anyone installed these box reinforcments? Ive heard welding them in is much better than bolting . is this true? My buddy is welding in the subframes for me when i get them so i should probly just have him do those too. What u guys think? sorry didnt mean to steal the post.

 

[fredfifty]

13 years later....hey so i wanted to see if my buddy had damaged a pillars from abuse of the gas pedal, so i applied a magnet to the section of the a pillar where it meets the roof, and the magnetivity is weak at that point only. im gathering the damage was done and fixed..possibly with bondo? hope not, but is that a normal/decent repair/fix?

 

[Mustang5L5]

Factory usually filled these areas with lead, which is not magnetic