subframe removal

[valjo]

hi!
i am planing to remove subframe from my s2 (aby), because i would like to respray it (there is some rost on it ).
could anyone tell me what is the easyest way to do it?
thanks

[Mikes2]

Front subframe:

Raise the car and support on stands. Undo the wishbone bolts / nuts. Remove the anti-roll bar nuts at each side.

Support the gearbox from underneath.

Remove the heatshield from the right side gearbox mount.

Undo the nut / bolt combo which holds the gearbox mounts to the subframe. Access is awkward here - might need an assistant.

Undo the 4 subframe bolts and the subframe will drop down.

[BRY]

Easy then?

[tobodestroyer]

Bush replacing help needed.

Is this procedure the one that you need in order to replace the sub-frame bushes too?

I'm slowly putting my S2 back to standard and it's getting better and better every day. With OE springs and a new set of RS2 shocks and OE top suspension mounts the handling is glorious once again. All I need to do now is to replace the aluminium sub-frame bushes and the nylon wishbone bushes.

What's the best way of replacing the wishbone bushes?

[Mikes2]

If you have aluminium "bushes", you can fit standard subframe bushes without removing your subframe.

Drop the subframe slightly on one corner at a time. Remove the bolt from that corner and you should be able to remove the old alumnium parts. One fits between the body and subframe and the other underneath the subframe and is held in by the bolt / washer but are not pressed in so if they've not been there long, they should be easy to remove.

The new bushes can be pressed in by force upwards - just make sure they go in straight and lubricate them to make it easier.

[Greg_S]

Resurrecting this thread, how difficult is it to remove the actual bushes from the subframe if the OE ones are still in place?

Secondly is there a tool available to remove these?

And if so, does anyone have one I could borrow?

Cheers

[Error404]

Hi Greg.

Its a PITA! You need a press really, but a bush removal tool can be used.
I've got one suitable for 12mm bolt bushes you are welcome to borrow

[Rusty]

I used a home made one but if the bushes are 12+ years old then it's a bit of a pain without a press and some patience. Or a blow torch

[panzerwagen]

Subframe removal????!!!!! One word....

PRAY and PRAY hard that the nut inside the chassis does not break it's flimsy weld and just turns & turns when you attempt to take the bolt out!
Why AUDI thought a flimsy weld would hold the nut after so many years is beyond me!
Water, snow and other things get up in there and weaken the weld. When you attempt to break the nut loose it also breaks the weld. Nothing will make your heart fall flat then when the bolt goes around & around and never seems to comes out. And to weld the nut back in place?! Geeeeez!

[Rusty]

[AndyP]

PRAY and PRAY hard that the nut inside the chassis does not break it's flimsy weld and just turns & turns when you attempt to take the bolt out!
Why AUDI thought a flimsy weld would hold the nut after so many years is beyond me!
Water, snow and other things get up in there and weaken the weld. When you attempt to break the nut loose it also breaks the weld. Nothing will make your heart fall flat then when the bolt goes around & around and never seems to comes out. And to weld the nut back in place?! Geeeeez!

Just for reference, how do you get to the nut?

[panzerwagen]

Getting at the nut??!!

Well you will actually have to cut into the chassis itself. Then rewelding the nut with a more substantial weld, you will have to fabricate a plate to cover the hole you made and weld it up properly so as that it will be as strong as it was before you cut into the chassis.

[AndyP]

Do you cut the chassis on the inside and get to the nut from above?

[spink]

Resurrecting this thread, how difficult is it to remove the actual bushes from the subframe if the OE ones are still in place?

Secondly is there a tool available to remove these?

And if so, does anyone have one I could borrow?

Cheers

Did a subframe last week, i have misplaced my removal tool so i used a good quality hole cutter(starrett) to cut through the rubber then a recipricating saw to cut through most of the wall of the outer sleeve(a dremel could also be used but the saw does it in about 10 seconds),then used a hammer and chisel to fold the sleeve in on itself.The 2 front bushes are thicker than the rears and took longer but the whole job was done in about 25 minutes.

[panzerwagen]

RE: Do you cut the chassis on the inside and get to the nut from above?

Yup.