Front / Rear subframe removal

[dhali7376]

Whilst removing the exhaust ( what a pain in the **** that turned out to be ) on the RS2 I noticed how scabby the subframes etc were so am
Planning to remove front and rear subframes and suspension components for powder coating.
Couple of questions before I start the strip down.
Is the engine mounted to the front subframe ?
Will anything else need to be supported ? I.e. gearbox , diff etc ??
Also a few of the bushes were replaced only a few yars ago judging from the receipts so can the frames be shotblasted/ powder coated with them in place ?

TIA.

[steve briance]

hi,
not sure i would get them powder coated with bushes in place... I've just been through this process myself and took the old bushes out. Shot blasting wouldn't harm them as the shot would just bounce off but the powder coating sends your subframes into an oven at circa 200 degrees C for a period of time to melt/bond the powder to the steel.
On finishing my coating, i refitted superflex bushes as they just press in by hand compared to the inevitable struggle to get OE ones in and the likely damage to my new finish.

[rynaqui]

Whilst removing the exhaust ( what a pain in the **** that turned out to be ) on the RS2 I noticed how scabby the subframes etc were so am
Planning to remove front and rear subframes and suspension components for powder coating.
Couple of questions before I start the strip down.
Is the engine mounted to the front subframe ?
Will anything else need to be supported ? I.e. gearbox , diff etc ??
Also a few of the bushes were replaced only a few yars ago judging from the receipts so can the frames be shotblasted/ powder coated with them in place ?

TIA.

Engine is not mounted to the subframe but the gearbox is and recommend supporting the weight of the gearbox whilst the subframe is off.

As above I would remove old bushes as for powder coating, the powder coater will most likely not accept a subframe with bushes still on the car (nasty smell!)

Just replace with superflex (polyurethane) bushes, easy to go on and easy to take off again if needed

For the rear subframe if I recall just undo the propshaft and wishbones/trackrods either end and drop the lot together as undoing the diff in place isn't too easy if I recall. Not a bad time to also do the diff seals whilst there (if they are leaking - mine were!)

Also a good time to refresh diff and gearbox mounts. Engine mounts are a bit harder to get to

[steve briance]

regards to removing the rear subframe - yep, you can drop the whole lot in one go but beware it is VERY VERY heavy. nice smooth surface and a trolley jack under the diff' to support while you undo the bolts then lower nice and gently but don't forget to either disconnect the handbrake cables or remove rear calipers from hub and tie up out of the way! I couldn't believe how heavy the assembly was, i had to break it down on the driveway as there was no around to move it.

[4WDrifter]

I've just had my rear subframe shot blasted with the bushes in.

[4WDrifter]

And here it is after.

[dhali7376]

Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated.
mine looks as bad as yours before your shot blasting. What sort of finish are you going for ?
Have read good things about POR15 .

[4WDrifter]

I've to get some repairs done to it first and I'm going to replace the bushes. So when they're out I'm going to get it galvanised. I'm told that if you powder coat it without galvanising it then when you start to reassemble everything and are tightening nuts, bolts and screws onto it you can crack the powder coating and then the steel can rust and you're back to square one! If you're not galvanising it then paint is better as it's more forgiving when you tighten a nut onto it IMHO.

[bluequattro]

I've a rear avant subframe from an 85k car.
Is it any use to you to powder coat and then swap yours?

[angry stu]

bushes

powerflex now do bushes for subframes.
i believe i am the first person to fit these as they have only been available a week!
black powder coated sub frames,wishbones and a,r,b's with purple bushes.....sweet.

[montyrs2]

Had to support the diff on my Coupe when I took subframe off.

Had mine powder coated.





Refitted with superflex bushes.

Just don't get carried away and powder coat everything!

[anthonys2]

Best thing to do if you can is renew altogether if possible I put a new one on the back of my Coupe and got a damn good second hand one that already been prepped and new bushes in all round and what a difference

[Matts]

Great work!

[Rikki Kitto]

Defo take the bushes out if powder coating, I left mine in they get cooked

[GazzaG60]

I use 2 trolly jacks one under each side past wishbone under subframe. lower each a little at a time. works well.

burn the bushes straight out with a bottle. fit allow ones afer its been painted.

same for front. rear is very easy as its not too heavy front with box on is heavy. support the box rather than the frame for front. 4 jacks I used to move the lot in, out and bolting in.

thanks to my mate with lots of jacks.