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

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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 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?
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 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.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 11:12 AM
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Yep.....
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 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?
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 11:54 AM
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I made a cross beam from one strut tower to another and hung the motor from that.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 12:10 PM
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well not all of us have ur muscles and can't bend metal like that
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 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.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 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.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 12:21 PM
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Volley1,

Got a link for that?
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 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..
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 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?
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 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.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 08:58 PM
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crappy as in beat up...
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 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
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 10:21 PM
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Flybye what happened to urs?
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Old Sep 19, 2003 | 06:01 AM
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From: Miami - Given 1st place as the POOREST city in the US as per the federal government
Originally posted by BATMAN
Flybye what happened to urs?
The usual....
Racing incident

Let's just say you cant steer very well on gravel
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Old Sep 19, 2003 | 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.
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Old Sep 19, 2003 | 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
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Old Sep 19, 2003 | 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.
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Old Sep 19, 2003 | 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.
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Old Sep 22, 2003 | 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???
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Old Sep 24, 2003 | 11:41 PM
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From: Miami - Given 1st place as the POOREST city in the US as per the federal government
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.
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Old Sep 25, 2003 | 08:54 AM
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Dont forget to put hash marks on all the camber and suspension stuff.
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Old Sep 25, 2003 | 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 ****.
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Old Sep 25, 2003 | 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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