Solid subframe bushing install

[turtl631]

My subframe bushings are looking pretty sad so I think I'm gonna replace them with SPL metal bushings. How long should the install take? I know you did this Chet...any pointers? I've never dropped a subframe before.

[180fan]

loosen the bolts, but only take one bolt out at a time. support the subframe with jacks and jackstands while you work.

[crzycav86]

mmm.... forklift!

[Nismo_Freak]

loosen the bolts, but only take one bolt out at a time. support the subframe with jacks and jackstands while you work.

Drop the whole subframe, do it while it is out of the car.

Much easier.

[Exar-Kun]

loosen the bolts, but only take one bolt out at a time. support the subframe with jacks and jackstands while you work.

dude, how exactly are you going to press out the old bushings like that?

yeah, I got some ponters...

1. get a air chissel2. get a acetelyne torch3. optional, but man if I ahd this it'd ahve made my job way easier(I found it in a mechnics tool chest at work after a day of work, and it madethings go sooo much easier)...a bearing/oil seal press-in kit..it looks like a little handle with a small conical top that spins on it. you use it to hit the bushings to drive it in STRAIGHT..which is very important.3. lots of patience

drop your sub frame out, remove diffy, etc. go ahead and put the SPL bushings in the freezer. you'll want to busrn or cut(sawzall works, but be carefull) the old bushings, then you get to deal with the ring around the bushing if its rusted in..use the air chissel to get those out, but be carefull of the angle and chissel head you use..otherwise you'll damage the sub frame. just chissel the old ones out, then sand(lightly) any rust/bumps/etc from the bushing seats(the inside of the hole) annd the top edges..

I also put a drop of silicone around the bushings to help them slide in a bit.

supporting the sub-frame, drive in the new bushings(which will be frozen, TAkE OUT ONLY A PAIR AT A TIME so the othe ones dont thaw) with the pressing tool, or block of wood and hammer...make sure you get dead-on(center) hts and keep the bushings centered.

have fun. it took me 3 days of on-and-off work.*but then agian, I had a spare sub-frame with bushings that were rusted in)-chet

[turtl631]

Hm, sounds fun I'm at school so I have limited tools...air chisel just isn't gonna happen. I may have to use a propane torch to burn them out. This sounds like quite a difficult task, actually. I may wait on it for a while.

[Nismo_Freak]

There's enough room to dremel a small portion out of the "ring" and then compress it out as long as it's not totally seized in there.

It's an idea.

[Veriest1]

I used a torch to heat the ring around the edge on top of the subframe until it was red then I chiseled it out by hand a little. Reheated then rechiseled a few times until I had used the length of a 1/2" chisell to push the entire race out by the chisels width. After cutting on through with the torch it slid right out with the aid of a pair of pliers. If it weren't hot it may have come out by hand.

Goodluck... that's the easy part.

[methodchris]

i got my bushings out..now i just cant get the new ones all the way in? they are sitting about an inch out...any suggestions?

[turtl631]

So, think I can do this in one solid day of work with a dremel, rubber mallet, pry bar, and basic hand tools?

[Structure240sx]

i think what 180 was talking about are the rear sub-frame lock washers. what he said is how i did mine with whiteline polyurathane, wish i went with solid ones though

[180fan]

OH he was going for the full solid ones. Ha ha ha, I thought he was going for the ring ones that are shaped like C's and O's. Sorry

[turtl631]

Nah, mine are really falling apart, I figure I might as well put solid Al ones in there while i have my subframe out. I'm just concerned about my ability to do this while at school.. I may wait until summer, see if i can get my dad to let me borrow a torch or somethign from his shop.