Hi guys. This is my first post here, just have a few questions about the subframe / k frame. I searched on here, and found that the subframes from 95-05 are the same, except for the exhaust on my 95 might not work with an 03-05? I bought my cavalier this past weekend at an auction (bought it cheap, very cheap) and knew it would need some work. The passenger axle was broke, I went to replace it last night and saw that the subframe is broken (obviously what caused the axle to break!) and am looking to replace the subframe and found a clean one from an 03, and was wondering if it would fit my 95 and work with the exhaust? Anyone who has done this swap please let me know! Thanks in advance!


Oh yeah, and the cavalier is a 95 with a 2.2 auto. 85k miles. Purple. lol

the sub frame from the 03 wont work with your 2.2.....if the car was a 2.4 you'd be good..



14.7670 @ 93.72mph

With light exhaust work it could be made to work I think...just gotta hump it up and over if it will fit...which I think it will.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Wednesday, November 04, 2009 3:35 PM

"Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience!" -Anonymous

Thanks for the replies, I ended up finding one out of a 97, for about 100 bucks cheaper also. Is it somewhat common for the subframes breaking on these? Just out of curiosity?

Joshua Dearman wrote:

With light exhaust work it could be made to work I think...just gotta hump it up and over if it will fit...which I think it will.

if it was an manual i'd agree, but with the auto, i don't think there would be the room.



14.7670 @ 93.72mph

Ryan S wrote:

Thanks for the replies, I ended up finding one out of a 97, for about 100 bucks cheaper also. Is it somewhat common for the subframes breaking on these? Just out of curiosity?

Subframes are suppose to shift in an accident to absorb the impact so your frame doesnt get bent. Now breaking off, thats somthing else. I would check to see if it cause any other damage to the frame or anything else.


ECOtec DOHC

Gary Frank wrote:

Joshua Dearman wrote:

With light exhaust work it could be made to work I think...just gotta hump it up and over if it will fit...which I think it will.

if it was an manual i'd agree, but with the auto, i don't think there would be the room.

There is always room, just gotta get creative.


"Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience!" -Anonymous

It didnt "break off". What it looks like, is someone his a massive pothole, and it was so rusty it broke behind the passenger control arm. I've heard of a few other cavaliers having the same issue in the same spot, thats why I asked if it was common. I'll try and snap a few photos tomorrow before I take the subframe out.

Hmm, never had any problems with my subframe. I believe i have put it threw a lot more abuse than just a pothole to

I took it out today. It was extremely rusty where it broke. Looked fine everywhere else, though.