Changing Subframe Bushings? Help!
 

I bought new mounts for my subframe and my diff from MMR and wanted to replace them.

Question is how do I go about doing it. I heard you need to drill them out but there looks to be some sort of mettalic section in the middle of the mounts?

I've searched but couldent really find anything , maybe someone can point me in the right direction as in what to search for or maybe even a guide.

Also is it possible to press the new bushing in myself or do I need to use a hydrolic press? And if I can do it myself any tips?

Thanks in advance.

hydraulic press is best way... they need to go in a specific way also... TAKE PICTURES!!!

with that said... you could prolly get a friend to help you, one of you hold the subframe on something and another on could bend the metal lip on outside of it up and then tap it out of the hole.

If you use some a pair of vice grips and pinch the rubber and twist it to stretch it, and then use a razor knife to cut it off to expose the metal housings lip then it is easy to cut the rubber away.

if you need any more help let me know.

I used a drill, chisel, and hammer to remove the stock bushings.

First I cut off the rubber on the top of the mount with a saws-all. This gave me a flatter surface to drill on.

http://eyeoutthere.nonsensicality.com/RX7/Bushings1.JPG

Then, drill around the outside of the rubber bushing until it is dislodged from the metal sleeve. Be careful, you are drilling into a couple cm of rubber sandwiched between sheets of metal. It is very easy to get wedged and break drill bits. Use a chisel or rotary cutting tool to get at the last bit rubber.

http://eyeoutthere.nonsensicality.com/RX7/Bushings2.JPG

Now, all that is left is the metal sleeve. Put the chisel in-between the sleeve and the sub-frame and hammer inwards. The sleeve should collapse on itself so you can remove it.

http://eyeoutthere.nonsensicality.com/RX7/Bushings3.JPG

NeCr0mStR, I used your pic, hope you don't mind. :)

Does that method work for doing the suspension bushings as well, especially the front lower control arms?

I've always drilled the rubber out and then used a socket to drive the sleeve out, but your method looks much easier. :D

when all else failed.. (after drilling them) **EVERBODY DOWN CORNY CAR JOKE INCOMING......... **** BURN BABY BURN ..SUBFRAME INFERNO....... i drilled them then set them on fire...

:lol:

Make sure to inhale a few lungfulls of that sweet, sweet sticky burning rubber too, it's good for you! :D

wow. Amazing how clean your subframe is. Even thought i do not drive my car in the winter it had rust on it. Had to get it painted.

I did them and the first one was like a drunken blind virgin stumbling around trying to find the right hole and the second one took about five minutes. great pics.

Big thanks for all the replies especially to eyeoutthere , pictures make it seem so much easier. Im gonna give it another go in little bit , ill bump this thread if I run into any other problems. Thanks again.

who's subframe?

nope its all good.. I take pictures of almost everything I do and so I have butt-loads of pictures of the underside, engine bay and everything else.

This is the after pic of my subframe

Its after I had it sandblasted and then spent 2 weeks painting it coat after coat after coat to get it right and durable and NEVER have to work on it again.

I just hope my bushings are installed proper (I mean orientation wise) I got them as close as the FSM showed, it was just a pain to get them exact.

In order to do my whole suspension for bushing replacement I bought a 10 ton press. made everything SUPER easy