pulling subframe, hit a snag...

[Ryan Stewart]

I cant get the subframe bushings to let go of the car. This is what I have so far:

http://www.archercc.net/subframe1.jpg

http://www.archercc.net/subframe2.jpg

I have shredded the bushing but the one side where you can still see the inner metal liner just wont drop, the other side has given up. Shouldnt that metal inner liner be coming off too?

I have everything unhooked, I cant see how anything else could be holding the drivers side one up.

[TIATO]

That makes two of us.

Ive drilled, sawed, melted and now Im trying various oulling methods.

My current attempt is to use a 6" three fingered gear puller to pull the subframe off the mount itself. It seems to work, but I think I will need to find a 2 fingered puller to get it off right.

[rs4pro3]

On my parts car when I poulled that subframe the metal inner liner ius still on the car. I couldn't get the metal selave to come off as it's rusted onto the metal bolt. You can try putting a nut on the large metal bolt and poundiing upward to make the bolt slide up into the cabin then that should get the metal sleave to loosen enough that it can be pulled off.

[Ryan Stewart]

that was my next question. I finally got the subframe off. Now I have these left:

http://www.archercc.net/subframe1.jpg

http://www.archercc.net/subframe2.jpg

Those pics are updated from original.

Now is there a metal liner on the inside AND outsdide of the rubber? It looks like there is a metal sleeve inside my subframe too, If so I gotta figure out how to get it out. HOpefully just melting will work fine for the trailing arm bushings.

Can I jsut hit that inner liner with a sledge? I have the long pins that go into the backseat removed already.

Has anybody tried putting the trailing arm bushings in the freezer to make them smaller and easier to put in? Would it help?

[Ryan Stewart]

ok, after wailling on the inner liner thingy with a 4lb sledge they popped out.

Now I guess I just have to get the outer liner out and then melt the trailing arm bushings and I should be good to go.

[Bryson]

If you haven't gotten it already, try torching the outside of the subframe until the rubber melts and acts almost as a lubricant for the outer liner to come out--that's how I got mine out at least. Use leverage to pull the thing out, don't try pounding on it with a sledge or anything, the rubber will just absorb the impact
hth
-bryson

[Ryan Stewart]

well, that sucked. I just need to keep telling myself that I spent about 10 hours doing what would have taken me 10 days to work off if I have paid someone else to do it.

It really feels tight now. Its hard to tell if the radical change is due to the eurethane units or if my old ones are just that bad. The BIG thing is no more wiggle in the rear and no creak/squeak. :D

Not something I would call a worthwhile "mod" but an excellent replacement for my shot ones. I also think my TA bushings may have been due too.

[JRowe]

Congrats on finishing. Maybe you'll be able to give be a hand in a month or so when I get around to doing mine.

[EVOIIIM3]

Next time rent a puller! It makes the job so much easier!!!

If you don't use a TORCH, to burn that bitch out!

Hopefully the replacements will last as long as the stock ones! I can do this job every 10+ years.

[Ryan Stewart]

I did. I used a puller to push the new ones in and torched the old ones out. Got good pics of those bitches in flames too... :twisted:

My snag was the inner liner didnt just come of the car so I could just cut the bushings out. Instead i had to annihalate the bushing on the car so I could get the subframe out of the way ot whack out those inner liners.

Everything went back together pretty easily. Just took a little work lining up the trailng arms to thier holes, then reassembling the entire back of the car.

The squeaks are gone but now i have a clank on tihe back. I think its the exhaust, I may have misaligned it when installing it.