Removing Subframe

[Bl4cK32]

Ive been asked a few times now about how hard it is to drop the subfram on skylines in order to install these Noltec subframe mounts.

Id like people here to add anything that may help others if they attempt to do this themselves (with help from mates etc...)

Firstly u need a pit or the car up on stands (the rear has to be jacked up on the chassis, not part of the subframe as you are removing it)

Then u need to disconnect the tailshaft. Undo the rear strut tops from the body. (On a GTR the lowers are a U bolt - so they would drop out when the subframe is lowered??) Then clamp the brake line, and hicas line and disconnect them. Now check out your cat back exhaust. If yous is a bolt on sytem, unbolt the rear muffler and your away. If yours is a welded system, just remove from the cat to the rear.

The rear should now be free from the driveline. The only thing left is the 4 bolts going through the actual subframe bushes holding the subframe to the car. Place a jack under either side of the subframe and remove the 4 bolts. I suggest u get hold of an air compressor, as these may be stiff bolts, or may require soaking in Rost off (a silicone creeping spray that works its way into the thread to loosen the bolts)

Once the bolts are out, then have someone on the other jack and together lower the subframe down. If you havent removed the wheels, just roll the whole frame back and away from the car Its out now have a break...

Now u need to get the bushes out using either of the 2 methods. First is to use an oxy torch to blow/burn out the bushes. This is extremely smelly, as u will have clouds of black smoke pouring out, so not recommended. Second method is to go down the hardware store and buy a hole saw slightly smaller than the bush. Use it to cut down the hole the bush is in and it should remove most of the bush. There is then a collar that is normally on the outer of the bush (i havent seen the std bushes, so this may or may not be in the subframe, have a look before u install the new ones) See 1st diagram for pics of replacement bush with collar.

If there is the collar in the frame, u need a hacksaw to remove it. Undo 1 end of the blade, push it through the hole, and redo the hacksaw up. Now cut the outer collar out, taking care not to cut the subframe going too far.

Now grease the bush a little, and sit them in where they go (the right way up too) Then using a mallet bang them in.

At this point you can install urethane pinapples to tune (angle) the subframe for traction as well. (see diagram)

All that is left now is to re-install the subframe the way you took it out. Once it has been installed, you may need to bleed the brakes, and the powersteering (hicas).

Please allow a weekend to do this, and have a mate on hand, and a ride organized to go to the hardware store (holesaw). Maybe to repco for brake/ps fluid also.

I find a BBQ and alcohol will have many hands on deck if needed.

Anyone that has done this, or can offer advice please do. Im sure it is the same for GTR and GTST (apart from lower shock mounts, and Attessa - someone help on this?)

later i'll add pics, and get this moved to the tutorial section as well.

Please add any comments or suggestions to help.

Edited May 8, 2006 by Bl4cK32

[BHDave]

A couple of minor things -

The brake lines dont need to be taken off. Unbolt them from the hub and leave them wired up to something, one of the little holes in the body work (there are a few under there)

Remove the struts comlpletely as it will just get in the way when you drop the subframe.

As for installing the new bushes with a hammer, i think you will have a few problems. I have recently installed new lower control arm bushes which also have an outer sleeve similar to the ones shown. (though half the size obviously). They are a very very tight fit. I am very doubtful you could get the bushes in without a BIG press and the right dies without damaging them. The lower control arm bushes took 2 guys, a big bench vice and a metre of pipe on the handle to get in. The subframe bushes have over double the surface area of the ones I installed.

Other than that, i think it will be a very worthwhile upgrade once complete.

[Beer Baron]

these will almost certainly require an industrial press to be installed into the subframe. the tricky bit will be getting the subframe onto the press or vice versa. make no mistake it will be a bastard of a job, but by all acounts it will be worthwhile.

[Bl4cK32]

http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread/97924

Guys heres a s13 subframe with pics on how to do the installation

Would anyone know if the freezer trick would work with the noltec ones?

I think the bolt with 2 washers and pressing it in as you do the nuts up would work at least?

Edited May 8, 2006 by Bl4cK32

[Bl4cK32]

http://www.shoptoolsshoptools.com/shopdisp...hing+R%26R+Kit+

Proper tool used to do the job id assume would work the same if you rigged something up at home which was similar would work just as good.

[BHDave]

the problem is he is using a 2 peice hard plasic bush as opposed to the softer poly bush with metal outer.

The bolt would probably try and tear the crush tube out of the bushing.

[steve_gts4]

i changed these on my gtr.. i was able to get the new bushes in quite easily with an ebay 6 ton press i purchased.