Rear subframe problems

[Rusty]

Cheers also to all those who PMd me with offers of subframes. Much appreciated

[Rusty]

Looking like this is all going to cost about £600 if I fit it myself. That's less that Audi want for just the subframe without VAT! Not exactly cheap but I am getting absolutely every nut, bolt, washer and bush that makes up the rear suspension! The guide on Mike's site www.s2-audi.co.uk is great and covers everything that you could want as well as offering useful home-made tools for pressing out bearings! Well worth a look if you run into the problems I just have!

[4WheelDrifter]

How do I remove and then fit new mounting bushes? Are they press in or is there a bit more to it!

I set fire to mine and left them. What remained pretty much fell out. I guess that's a lazy way of doing it though.

[newsh]

I set fire to mine and left them. What remained pretty much fell out. I guess that's a lazy way of doing it though.

Surely that would seriously mess up the strength of the steel? If it got hot and cooled slowly it would anneal and be really soft.

Or are you joking?

[Rusty]

Time honoured way of getting fid of rubber bushes! Nopt sure that the metal will get anywhere near hot enough to start heat treating itself though?

[A1QSHIP]

Rear Subframe Bushings

I used the idea from here http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/bushings-pix2.htm
Used a head bolt long enough, with the proper diameter to pass thru the bushing bolt hole (a good idea is to have more than one extra head bolt and nuts to fit the bolt) and a piece of pipe that was notched to fit the subframe and large enough for the bushing to pass thru. Use alot of copperslip on the head bolt threads

[Fat Audi 80]

Time honoured way of getting fid of rubber bushes! Nopt sure that the metal will get anywhere near hot enough to start heat treating itself though?

Yes, you are right Andy. No where near hot enough!

[martinjs]

£600? christ, how much do they want for the subframe?

[Rusty]

£600? christ, how much do they want for the subframe?

Subframe then blast, zinc prime and powdercoating comes in at £110 (not got the facilities at work to do it myself ).

Then a further £430 in parts, including all diff mounts, bushes, new wishbones, bottom ball joints, tie rods, every nut bolt and washer etc. etc. Mike's parts guide on s2-audi made a very useful shopping list! Cheers to S2Avant for sorting it all out for me!

Basically going to get completley new rear suspension (which I needed anyway) out of it for £540 with an as new subframe to boot. Would still have cost £350 - £400 just to replace the rear supsension components and diff mounts.

I'm happy enough as I won't be paying a garage £££s to fit it all. About the only thing I might have to pay to get done it to get the old rear diff mount pressed out as I went for a Powerflex one. Are there any BTDTs for that?

Only thing left to do now is a Whiteline RARB and new droplinks!

[4WheelDrifter]

You don't need a press to get the old rear diff mount out. Just use a hacksaw to take a slice out of it, then tap it out with a hammer and chisel. Just be careful to only cut the outer metal sleave of the bush, not through to the alloy mount.

When I took my rear diff mount off, what remained of the rubber bush just fell out! No fire required there. Damn!

[Rusty]

Cheers Stu. Manged it this evening without too much damage. fire was made but in the really cold and still air I gave up with it as it was fogging up the neighbourhood!

Just waiting for all the bits now. Then it'll be a day of removal, a bit of cleaning and painting to keep some of the alloy bits in good nick, fitting all the new stuff and finally trying to get the car diving in a vaguely straight line so I can get it to Bristol for 4 wheel alignment. Who knows, might even drive in a straight line (once it's been aligned) rather than pulling to the left, as it's always done, forever! Will have replaced everything except the front subframe bushes and struts by the time I've done this... won't hold my breath though!

[Rusty]

Managed to fit all of this on Friday. Took about 10 hours but I was doing it on the garage floor, on my own... not recommended! Mike's guide on s2audi is useful and gives most of the torque values. Had the tracking and camber set on Saturday morning.

Just need a Whiteline ARB to finish it off now!