RS2 Running Gear Tear Down

[LGK6D]

Hi All,

I'm about to start the next stage of the car. I want to remove both subframes and associated parts. Strip, powder coat/paint and reassemble. How long is it likely to take to get everything off assuming everything comes apart okay? Is it a more sensible approach to tackle one end at a time. I've already read about subframe bushes etc so loosely know what I'm letting myself in for. I just need a guestimation on how much time it's likely to take.

Many thanks
David

[Error404]

Without seized bolts you could easily strip it all in a morning. But normally, especially on the avant rear end there are some seized bolts i.e. upper arms etc.

[LGK6D]

Without seized bolts you could easily strip it all in a morning. But normally, especially on the avant rear end there are some seized bolts i.e. upper arms etc.

Flippin eck, that's a lot faster than I thought. Is it possible to get the whole rear end dropped off with the subframe? I know there's not much room tucked up in the arch for those upper bolts.

[rj scotty]

lower wish bone to hub bolt is also common to size solid BTDT

[Acidburn]

lower wish bone to hub bolt is also common to size solid BTDT

Agree - this will be a bad one as they just sieze for fun.

Just drop the complete subframe setup, the exhaust will need to come off and one of the brake lines will need undoing.

[LGK6D]

Right. So what's the best way to attack this, should I spend some time cleaning everything up and soaking in penetrating oil, break each bolt so I know they'll go when I need them to, then when the time's right just go for it?

Are there bolts that are easier broken on the car than when the subframe assembly is off the car?

[Sleeper_Avant]

stick a pallet under the car and drop it all out in 1 lump

tackle it on the floor, soak everything in penetration oil for a couple of days before.

get a big hammer to hit stuff with.

disconnect ABS sensors under rear seats before you do anything and push them outside the car before you touch any bolts

erm, just tackle it.

remember which way each bolt faces, unscrew the nuts and not the bolts........... if they are adjustable camber bolts dont turn them untill the nuts are off with their washers

[Acidburn]

as above ^^

*lift rear seat, lift up the card/plastic cover and undo the 2x abs sensor plugs and push back thru past the foam bungs

get on a ramp then do the following

*wheels off
*middle/back section of exhaust off
*remove heat shield for prop
*6x 6mm or 7mm allen key bolts on diff
*undo the 1x line for the brakes in the section underneath the rear passenger seat just infront of the rear wheel
*undo 10mm nut for the handbrake cable brackets each side then loosen off the 10mm adjuster to un hook the two cables from the handbrake lever
*pop the 2x abs sensors out so the sensors are able to be taken with the subframe setup
*undo the 4x 18mm (most are tho some have been 19mm) subframe bolts and let the complete setup hang off the shocks
*drop the car down on the ramp till its just above what you are standing it on or moving it
*undo the 4x 17mm bolts either side on the shock uprights
*lift car back up

[Sleeper_Avant]

buy some good quality hacksaw blades for those 3 bolts that seize in the rubber bushes, but easyer to sort when the whole lump is off the car.

leave the calipers attached to the body, but dont let them hang on the flexi`s, i always use a bungee chord to support them

[Sleeper_Avant]

as petes instructions!!

it will take 10 mins Max!

[mcandmar]

Sucker for punishment. Front end will be easy, on the rear i will bet both camber and tow adjusters are seized solid. I'd say i could easily strip mine in a few hours since its been rebuilt, first time round took a bit longer, lots of heating, cutting and swearing was involved.

[LGK6D]

Thanks guys, this is a great help. The brakes are all coming off too, so that's not a problem.

How about the front end. I don't want to remove the engine or gearbox, so I'm guessing it's off at the CV's, top mounts and subframe bolts and out it comes?

[Acidburn]

Yeah won't take long to do, btdt a few times now

To add to the above this applys for the front/rear

POP THE CENTER CAPS OUT THE RIMS, DROP THE CAR ON THE FLOOR AND CRACK OFF THE DRIVESHAFT BOLTS, IF YOU FORGET THIS ITS A LOT HARDER

front:

*take off rims
*remove undertray if fitted
*1x 15/16/17mm nut/bolt for the wishbone balljoint (i've seen all of these sizes fitted)
*pop the driveshaft out the hub and refit the wishbone balljoint into the carrier and loosely fit the above nut/bolt
*undo the brake lines and let drain into a bucket
*17mm nut on the track rod ends and use a ball joint splitter to seperate
*undo and push the abs sensors from in the engine bay into the archs and cable tie to shock so they don't get damaged.
*2x 8mm nuts on each gearbox mount dust cover
*2x 17mm's for the gearbox mounts (use a spanner on one side and a deep socket on the underneath)
*4x subframe bolts 18/19mm bolts and let the subframe hang on the struts
*lower car down on ramp till the subframe is supported on whatever your using
*22mm swan head/drop head spanner is required for this along with a decent 6/7mm allen key socket attachment on a decent ratchet. remove the 22mm nut and it will let the setup drop the last bit, then raise the car up watching the struts don't swing and catch paintwork.

think thats everything required. Any further info just give me a shout.

[Sleeper_Avant]

bear in mind removing the front subframe will require supporting the gearbox as the mounts are bolted to subframe

[Acidburn]

Main thing to do is take everything off in as bit a piece as possible and remove off the car. The one 2x nuts/bolts i'd attempt on the car before removing is the rear lower carrier one's that have been mentioned above, if your lucky they are like the ones on the last avant I had and they came off quite easily but I have had them before when they have had to be cut off.