Subframe issue

subarooo · 04-14-2012, 12:46 AM

So im trying to press the new bushings into the frame and i can only seem to get them in halfway... After that i can tighten my bushing press as much as i want and it'll be stuck. Even took the impact gun to it and it wont move. Im using lubricant to slide it in but its being a real pain.

Any tips to slide the bushings in easier?

DR.ZED · 04-14-2012, 07:47 AM

Did you clean with light sandpaper the inside before putting the bushing in? What type of lubricant did you use?

BigD · 04-14-2012, 08:08 AM

Sorry for the stupid question but when you removed the old one, you did remove its outer rim from the subframe right? Like you're not trying to press a new bushing into the outer frame of the old one.

Post a pic of what it looks like right now.

frankie591 · 04-14-2012, 08:13 AM

Did you line the nubs in the subframe up with the grooves in the bushing?

InfiniteDice · 04-14-2012, 09:25 AM

Line up the nubs, clean the subframe bore look for imperfections and grind them off or sand them down a bit.

An old cyclers handlebar grip trick is to take a mixture of about 3:1 dishsoap to water and lube it with that. It should help it slide on.

Failing everything else, you can heat the subframe and it should expand the metal a bit.

Usually of the 3 subframe jobs i've done there is always some metal imperfections in the subframe hole/bore. You want that as smooth as possible or it just adds to the drag.

subarooo · 04-14-2012, 11:24 AM

Yep the bushing sleeve is out, i used my dremel to grind it to metal, and im using a kind of whiteish clear lube my mechanic gave me. He said its what he uses to get them in. Also im lining the nubs up, but it seams like when i tighten the wrench the bushing tends to twist a bit. By the time it gets to a the next nub it twists a tad and stops.

Could i heat it with just a butane torche?

goldhawk · 04-14-2012, 11:42 AM

Try putting the bushing in the freezer before putting it in.

subarooo · 04-14-2012, 12:06 PM

Ill try that tonight forsure. Just did some research and you can freeze it for up to 2 hours, Then heat the frame and it should go in. Guessing i would have to dip it in soap too though.

subarooo · 04-15-2012, 11:56 AM

Worked like a charm, thanks guys. Subframes in, I some how got it in by myself. But in the process the center driveshaft wiggled its way out of the spline off the tranny... I've got some more fun ahead of me. Either drop the diff, or the whole exaust and heat sheild. What's easier?

InfiniteDice · 04-15-2012, 12:43 PM

Don't remove the diff.

The spline from the tranny? You mean the front part of the driveshaft separated from the back half. Well 1) you need to align the shaft properly, 2) you collapse the two halfs together and then get each end in, naturally the shaft bends and wants to slide apart, so it's a bitch. This is a good time to check the rubber guibo.

Exhaust and heat shield aren't hard, but you may need new exhaust bolts after.

subarooo · 04-15-2012, 12:45 PM

Thats what i was thinking. And i have to bend my shifter rod a bit to avoid my balancer anyways. Might as well do it all at once. Wish me luck!

subarooo · 04-15-2012, 05:55 PM

Looks like thats out of the equation. Of the 6 nuts, theres only 1 on each. And one of them is round lol. Im thinking of cutting it a foot before the cat then just clamping it in the mean time. Im going to be doing a full header no cat soon enough. Any thoughts?

lost · 04-15-2012, 08:56 PM

Brandon, welcome to the club. Looks like you've jumped right in!! post pics.

Gotta love wrenching on bolts that have been long forgotten.

subarooo · 04-15-2012, 09:45 PM

Hey buddy, Yeah i wanna do this one 100 percent right. Just replaced the subframe, and trailing arms, torqued everything accordingly and anti seized everything. Ground down everything to bare metal and repainted it before i put it on. Just replaced the roters with brembo's. And doing the pads too, if i can figure out how to put them in lol

Pics will come when she's certified . But until then, it lives in my garage

edit: Im taking the diff out tomorrow so i can put the axle in properly. Seeing as i wont be taking the dp off for a while.

frankie591 · 04-16-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subarooo

Looks like thats out of the equation. Of the 6 nuts, theres only 1 on each. And one of them is round lol. Im thinking of cutting it a foot before the cat then just clamping it in the mean time. Im going to be doing a full header no cat soon enough. Any thoughts?

I did the same thing. Just get some v-band clamps to hold the exhaust together until you do a new setup.