Fitting alloy subframe mounts to a coupe

[audiman]

Im gonna be tackling this job at the weekend, so after that i will tell everyone what sort of improvment there is and what sort of a job it is to do. BTW, i found my second set of bushes! they had rolled under all the crap behind my spare wheel whilst being on track! Fancy that hey

[audiman]

Well I did the rear subframe yesterday. What a job. Its a case of brute force and ignorance to remove the old bushes. They are a multi-layer rubber/metal bush. I cut the centre part out with an air hacksaw, then removed the rubber and then cut the outer metal casing out too But having done that, fitting the new ones is dead easy. I didnt remove the subframe, just left it hanging on 2 bolts whilst doing the other 2.

There must be a special tool for doing this job, i think i might try and borrow it from my dealer.

Nevermind only 4 more to go. But initial thoughts are good, its a bit noiser inside the car, but the handling has improved already, feels loads tighter.

[s2avant]

It's tool 3301. I think I've got one in my tool box. I got it years ago as a freebie and never bothered to look what it was for. Just had a look on ELSA and it seems to be the very same bit of kit.

If I'd know that I may never have gone for alloy bushes.

Ben

[audiman]

Can I borrow it/buy it off you??

[s2avant]

I'll have a look in my tool box and dig it out for you.

PM me your address (don't think I've still got it) and I'll send it down.

Ben

[porkkis]

I've heard that the vehicle's own weight can be used for pressing out the old bushes. Probably by inserting something between the body and subframe bush and then just jack up the subframe.

I haven't tested this by myself so this is only what I've heard. Could work.

[audiman]

It could do, but i havent tried it either. They have to come out downwards. So in therory it should work

[S2central.net]

I've heard that the vehicle's own weight can be used for pressing out the old bushes. Probably by inserting something between the body and subframe bush and then just jack up the subframe.

I haven't tested this by myself so this is only what I've heard. Could work.

Sounds plausible right enough !

Paul

[audiman]

Forgot to mention, i caked the new alloy bushes in copper grease to stop any kind of reaction taking place between the steel subframe and the mounts.

[audiman]

Right tonight I fitted the bushes to the front subframe. It took me about 2 hours all in. I used the proper job tool 3301 and that made the job soo much easier.

Can I buy it off you Ben??

The best way to do the fronts was to undo the gearbox mountings and remove the front AR bar. Then undo the 4 subframe mounting bolts and let it hang down. This makes getting the bushes out so easy.

Now that the car has a full set of these bushes, the handling is transformed. It feels more 'go kart' , turning in very quickly as there is no slop in the subframes. The car now feels tight. Its amazing the difference between the old and new bushes.

As for noise/shock transmission, there is hardly none, maybe a little more 'feel' through the car, but nothing that would annoy.

Well pleased. Not sure what it would be like on a car with poly bushes, as mine are new std bushes for the wishbones.

[JariP]

Tom, can you post a pic of that 3301 tool?

[audiman]

Can do, but i will have to clean it up first

It got a bit dirty when using it its too hard to describe, but would be dead easy to make a copy for removing the bushes etc.

[s2avant]

I hope you'll be cleaning it young man :mischeif:

That's an expensive bit of kit

Ben

[audiman]

LOL, i might do

[CR500Dom]

If you can do me a drawing I can get some made up, likewise the Alloy Bushes.
I have a Mate with a couple of CNC Machines so to do a batch would not be a problem

Let me know either way
Cheers
Dom