Rear subframe removal

[bolton]

Hi all flipping rounded the bolt on my rear arb bush mount so am going to have to drop the subframe out! Cars on axel stands! Any advice? Tips? Cheers

[alanmr2turbo]

well the engine wont fall out as you'll have 3 other engine mounts holding it in. You could just use the jack to take the weight of the engine though.

Easy job, undo the drop links, 3 bolts on the rear bush and the 4 never ending sub frame bolts. Job done

[Torero]

Yes, Alan's right they're simple to do and the main bolts take forever. If your on your own take care with the subframe it can be a bit heavy and wouldn't do your looks much good if it fell on you.

Only issue is that the ARB bracket bolts are captive and if they break off you'll need new brackets so just take your time and give them a good soaking WD40 or plus gas beforehand.

[vishpish]

x2 on the brackets.

i'd expect them to need replaced tbh and just get new brackets (20notes from mr T)

[bolton]

The outer nuts came off the captive bolts fine, its the inner bolts that are the problem! I lowered the subframe to undo them, the os came out fine but the n/s rounded! Lol!
So i was going to drop the subframe and tackle it that way!
Any cures for rounded bolts? Its a 12mm so hammer on a 11mm?
I have a mig welder too so could i mig plug another nut to the top of the bolt?
Cheers all

[steve1951]

The outer nuts came off the captive bolts fine, its the inner bolts that are the problem! I lowered the subframe to undo them, the os came out fine but the n/s rounded! Lol!
So i was going to drop the subframe and tackle it that way!
Any cures for rounded bolts? Its a 12mm so hammer on a 11mm?
I have a mig welder too so could i mig plug another nut to the top of the bolt?
Cheers all

on another forum, I read that halfords do a special socket for removing rounded nuts although I have never used them myself. might be worth a search online.

also what sockets have you got, if they are multipoint get a set of hex sockets they are far better for rounded/rusted nuts etc,

[vishpish]

socket your probably talking about is an Irwin. they are good but if youve got access to a welder, your idea is probably cheaper and easier. weld a nut on and crack the whole thing off

[bolton]

yeah all hex, all snap on! lol! it rounded cause i could only get a bloody spanner in there and it was f-in tight!
oh well job for the weekend!!

[bolton]

socket your probably talking about is an Irwin. they are good but if youve got access to a welder, your idea is probably cheaper and easier. weld a nut on and crack the whole thing off

yeah im a panel beater so i can weld pretty well! the heat from the weld should free it up too!

[steve1951]

yeah all hex, all snap on! lol! it rounded cause i could only get a bloody spanner in there and it was f-in tight!
oh well job for the weekend!!

Snap on, ooooh you snob, lol, I, saw some once, best of luck with getting it off this weekend.

[bolton]

Haha when u use them all day there nice to have! And you can pay them on the tick! Lol!

[michael17]

the studs will shear, i bet

[Peter Gidden]

the studs will shear, i bet

No big deal if it does. Easy repair.

[Driftlimits Performance]

Sounds like you weren't using a snap on flank drive plus spanner!

Everything I have is Snap On. Awesome awesomeness.

When doing rear arb I leave the lower arms and trailing arms on. You can get the frame down a few inches. Plenty of room.

[bolton]

No a snap on ratchet spanner! Pmsl!
Its out now i manage to get some mole grips on it but upon removal the bolt in the subframe dropped into the bottom! Wtf?
Im going to have to cut a hole in the bottom of the subframe and weld a new nut on the back then weld up the hole i cut! Pmsl!

[Driftlimits Performance]

Doh!

[bolton]

Enit! Job for the weekend! Shouldnt be too much drama, ill have to buy a hole cutter tho! Lol!