Subframe advice....

[JamesHarrold]

Having just dropped the rear subframe and diff etc from my ABY coupe I was wondering what people opinions were on what to do next....

Do I....

1) take it somwhere to have it shot blasted and powder coated (about £80)
2) rub it down with a wire brush and give it 3 coats of hammerite (£ free £)

Going to fit Ali bushes and possibly a whiteline RARB as the existing one looks very very tired!

Any advice greatly appreciated.

cheers
James

[lind4hl]

i would powder coat it, nothing to tink about really..

[Tonks4x4]

I have done both ways and the way I would choose for future subframes is to have them blasted then paint them myself with POR15. Almost looks like a powdercoat finish even with a cheap brush, does not chip the same as powdercoat and has better rust beating fornula.

[lind4hl]

waht powder do you guys have??

the powder i have on my old rims you had to burn off in the oven at the powdercoater, it was rocksolid!

[JamesHarrold]

Thanks for the advice guys...for what it costs to powder coat them...If there is not much of an advantage I think I will do it myself with POR15...Is it expensive and where do I buy it?

Cheers
James

[S2central.net]

POR15 is the way to go alright... It aint cheap but everyone raves about it. Needs an air-fed mask to spray it but can be brushed on to good effect. Check out FROST auto restoration - they do all that stuff.

[Dingo]

what about galvanizing, or is this an expensive option ?

[JamesHarrold]

Just ordered some POR15...
I must say, I think it would be more satisfying doing it myself as opposed to dropping it off looking like its been in the north sea, then a couple of days later picking it up looking like new and handing over ££.

Any thoughts on the Ali bushes and whiteline RARB...Is it too much to go for a solid rear diff mount too....?

Have got new OE Wishbone bushes to go in.

James.

ps. will get some pics up later

[Rusty]

Media blast, zinc prime, powdercoat for me, cost £50 at a local place, they've done my front and rears and the HnR springs too. Will be onto them to sort my struts if I go CCK.

[Tonks4x4]

Galv is ok however. You need to have really good condition subframes to begin with. You must make sure there is no sealed parts ie drill a couple of holes in the frames as they explode if they are sealed anywhere. And there has been talk of them twisting due to the heat. And you are adding weight

Personally galv looks great for a couple of weeks then looks real poor. So still need to paint it.

POR15 is purchased from Frost

And looks like this when brush painted....

[Error404]

you don't need an air fed mask to spray POR, just a decent EN standard organic vapour mask

As said, cheaper and tougher than powdercoat. I agree with Bry that galv will warp the frame, we just had some 1/4 tonne RSJs warped like banana after galv, its not to be underestimated.

POR15 for me all the way

[Fat Audi 80]

Or you can buy the brush on equivalent of POR15 and do it the easy way.

[JamesHarrold]

Quick update...

Spent all last night dismatling everything from the subframe and removing all the bushes (with a little help from a lighter and can of WD40)

Will post some pics later...but it is in REALLY bad condition. One tap with a hammer and I have a bucket full of rust!

Will shot blast it later to see how bad it is, may have to do a bit of reinforcing welding on a couple of places.

Need a bit of advice from people who have done this before..

1. Do I replace ALL bolts with new, or can some be used again (if in good nick)
2. Is it worth getting a Whiteline RARB...the original I took off is very tired and need another so wondered if an upgrade is required....? (£155..!)

Cheers

James

[quattrostyle]

Galv is ok however. You need to have really good condition subframes to begin with. You must make sure there is no sealed parts ie drill a couple of holes in the frames as they explode if they are sealed anywhere. And there has been talk of them twisting due to the heat. And you are adding weight

Personally galv looks great for a couple of weeks then looks real poor. So still need to paint it.

POR15 is purchased from Frost

And looks like this when brush painted....

and how much cans will it take to cover up the whole bottom of the car?

[Rusty]

I had to scrap my subframe back in 2006, it was shot. I replaced the whole rear end of the car, cost a fortune but was well worth the effort. I think it was about £800-£900 by the time I was done

Spend a few £ on new bolts, some of the old ones will be stretch bolts and you should replace the nylocks as a matter of course anyway. Ben @ TPS will sort you with OE VAG stuff, I get all the nuts and bolts required to do a job.

Get an uprated rear bar on there.