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Has anyone R&R a Front Subframe without pulling the engine out?

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Old 09-18-03, 10:50 AM
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Has anyone R&R a Front Subframe without pulling the engine out?

Just curious if there is any ninja tricks to this?
Old 09-18-03, 11:11 AM
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I don't recall off the top of my head, but when I was doing my oil pan, I lowered part of the sub-frame and had the engine and transmission supported by a jack. I would imagine if you had a engine hoist or used my method you could completely remove the sub-frame if necessary.
I'm about to attempt it again, because I failed to cure the ills of my oil leak the first time.
Old 09-18-03, 11:12 AM
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Yep.....
Old 09-18-03, 11:30 AM
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Did u place a jack underneath the tranny or use an engine hoist and hang the engine from the top?
Old 09-18-03, 11:54 AM
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I made a cross beam from one strut tower to another and hung the motor from that.
Old 09-18-03, 12:10 PM
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well not all of us have ur muscles and can't bend metal like that
Old 09-18-03, 12:16 PM
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Tool King carries a universal engine support that mounts/sets on the strut towers. There is a chain and hook that you use to hold the engine up. I think it was like 60 bucks or something. Better way to do it in my opinion.
Old 09-18-03, 12:17 PM
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I used a 2 ton floor jack and jacked it up on the transmission tunnel. Make sure you've taken off the motor mount nuts.
Old 09-18-03, 12:21 PM
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Volley1,

Got a link for that?
Old 09-18-03, 12:38 PM
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i just used an engine hoist borrowed from a friend. swaped out my crappy *** subframe for a new one..
Old 09-18-03, 03:17 PM
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Originally posted by apexkw
i just used an engine hoist borrowed from a friend. swaped out my crappy *** subframe for a new one..
I was wondering if you ment crappy subframe by old and beat up or if you meant crappy in another way?
Old 09-18-03, 05:06 PM
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The factory manual shows a simple rod with small supports at the end that sit themselves right next to the strut towers. This rod is used to hold the engine in place while doing anything that requires the removal of the subframe.

I gotta replace mine, too. Just another one of those fun weekend projects.
Old 09-18-03, 08:58 PM
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crappy as in beat up...
Old 09-18-03, 09:11 PM
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When wrecking an FD we dropped the subframe off with no engine support whatsoever. Not recommended though, because only the gearbox bolts are holding the whole show together

-pete
Old 09-18-03, 10:21 PM
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Flybye what happened to urs?
Old 09-19-03, 06:01 AM
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Originally posted by BATMAN
Flybye what happened to urs?
The usual....
Racing incident

Let's just say you cant steer very well on gravel
Old 09-19-03, 07:14 AM
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I would just cut a 4x4 wooden post to length to sit near the shock towers and then lash the motor to that.

I would still leave some stands or something under the car while you're there in case the thing should decide to try and fall on you.
Old 09-19-03, 07:30 AM
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I've done the 4x4 method and it bends under the load. You're better off with the 60 dollar part.

Greg
Old 09-19-03, 08:02 AM
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Originally posted by rx7joe
You're better off with the 60 dollar part.

Greg
Is that for the Mazda tool to hang the engine? Heck, I will buy one.
Old 09-19-03, 08:16 AM
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a jack under the front of the tranny works fine.dont forget to mark the asdjusters on the a-arms with some paint so you dont have to realign the car.
Old 09-22-03, 08:21 PM
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How long do you suppose this would take if the engine was allready out and you had the car up on a lift???
Old 09-24-03, 11:41 PM
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Originally posted by Chronos
How long do you suppose this would take if the engine was allready out and you had the car up on a lift???
Not even 1/2 an hour. I'm guesstimating, but seeing that I've seen the engine bay with no engine, and I've peeked under the FD while on a lift, and I've been under the FD for other stuff, it looks like it would just under an hour to remove the subframe if the engine wasn't there and the FD was all ready up off the ground.

1) Unbolt lower control arms & any accessories.
2) Unbolt & drop Subframe.
Old 09-25-03, 08:54 AM
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Dont forget to put hash marks on all the camber and suspension stuff.
Old 09-25-03, 10:33 AM
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my alignment bolts and respective holes are trashed.

that is why i am replacing it.

the holes like that of a ****.
Old 09-25-03, 04:14 PM
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Originally posted by DamonB
Is that for the Mazda tool to hang the engine? Heck, I will buy one.
Are you guys nuts? hanging the engine and tranny with 2X4? Are you guys living in Iraq?

Try this tool. $60.00 at http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=36092

Free shipping with this internet coupon #582-751-811





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