Dropping The Subframe

[lwells]

I wasn't sure if this should be here or in the 'Drivetrain and transmission' forum, but I figure its probably more suspension related

I've got my eye on a set of those Noltec subframe bushes in the group buy section for my R32 GT-R. As far as I am aware my standard bushes aren't leaking, however people seem to be of the opinion that subframe bushes are likely over-the-hill by age 15 or so. Given the group buy price it seems like a worthwhile purchase/upgrade. However, I am a little concerned about how difficult (or otherwise) it is to drop the subframe. I've done some searching but not really come up with any (long winded) explanation as to how its done and what's involved.

So is there anyone out there that has dropped their GT-R's subframe and can provide some insight? Is it an easy enough job for those who twirl their own spanners? Any special equipment required?

Cheers,

Lucien.

[Beer Baron]

lucien, i reckon as a pretty keen DIYer you could do it. you have done harder jobs on your car already. BUT it will still be fairly time consuming and getting the old mounts out, and the new ones in will be a bit of a pain. my advice is take it to nathan, leave your wallet at the door, and get him to do it for you.

[Ronin 09]

what sort of buckeroos are you looking at to do the subframe bushes?

edit - just read that the bushes are $155 and you still use the pineapples

[lwells]

leave your wallet at the door, and get him to do it for you.

I don't think Nathan accepts air or business cards in exchange for services, and that's about all there is in the wallet ATM

C'mon, some has to have done this. You can't all be cheque book racers like Richard

[Beer Baron]

haha! me? chequebook racer? i wish!! lol i would be a lot quicker if i was... i'm hurt lucien!

[steve_gts4]

ive done it... its a pretty big job. you will need to be handy with a hacksaw and have a press at your disposal.

you have to undo the brake lines, hicas lines and attessa lines and rebleed them all.

you have to completely pull the diff and axles/hubs out of the subframe and all the suspension arms. a wheel alignment is required at the end.

you will probably need 2 jacks to get the frame back into the car as well, as it isnt too easy to balance.

all told though, its a worthwhile job to do.

i dont have a complete how-to guide, sorry.

[Bl4cK32]

have a look down a couple of posts mate, i think u may require a homemade tool, or try buy one.

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...howtopic=116840

Its a matter of a threaded rod, 2 pieces of steel with a hole in the middle that is just big enough to fit the threaded rod through and a couple of nutts. As you do up the nuts, it should press the bush in...

Im trying to find the right tool, if i do i'll see about loaning it out to a few people as well to make things easy

Edited May 9, 2006 by Bl4cK32

[Duncan]

Yeah I did it too, possible but a painful job, especially putting it back in again. In particular diff and attesa pump is v heavy

Once the subframe is out just take it to Nath, he has a press and can install and remove the bushes a billion times easier than you can. We did one car ourselves took a few hours with a torch (should have done the hacksaw method) but still needed a big press to put the new ones in anyway.

Also you might as well do the control arm bushes and tie rod ends all at the same time, it will drive *really* nice after you change all these.

[GTR1993]

I have actually done this exact thing this week, took 3 hours to drop the subframe on 32 GTR, 5 hours to get the bushes out, few hours to push new bushes in (i have a china 12 tonne press pushed them in easy as) i havent put it all back in yet im cleaning up under the car and body taring it to make it all look black and nice.

Also installed hicas lock bar at the same time. Going to remove all the hicas shit that goes with it and bypassing it as sydney kid does.

Installed bilstein shocks at the same time, also maby next week i might replace the control arm bushes etc and sway bars once i have ordered these.

[Beer Baron]

your car will feel like a completely new beast after all that. noice.

[GTR1993]

A hint for anyone taking out the old bushes, go get your self a die grinder and a real steel bit, not the gay grinding stone ones they couldnt cut something if your life depended on it. Hole saw out (also use a jig saw) the centre steel pin. Once that is out start from the top and start grinding away the rubber thats left and then grind through the steel casing, making sure you dont eat into the subframe. it doesnt take too long and then once you have gone from the top to the bottom use a cold chisel and a sledge hammer to knock the bush out. I tried the hack saw method, it works but is much harder.