I am going to have to replace the front subframe on my FD and i was wondering if anyone knows of a good "How To" webpage or something.

 

Yep - the shop manual .

It's a pretty substantial job. You have to support the engine, unbolt the various suspension components that are attached to the subframe, unbolt the motor mounts, unbolt the subframe from the car, and drop the subframe out.

Why exactly do you need to replace the subframe? Was the car wrecked or something?

Dale

 

well, I hit a rock on the side of the road and broke the control arms, and now after putting new arms on I can see the subframe was bent too cause the wheel is sitting like 2 inches too far back.(actualy I was fearing it was bent while i was puttin the new arms on). SO, where can i find the shop manual and wich section is the subframe replacement in??

Im also afraid the upper a-arm mounts got bent back too, but not as bad, but still I have no idea what to do about those cause it doesnt look like they are replaceabel and bending them back to the perfect angle seems like a hell of a job....

 

This is a job for a professional body shop. The car needs to be on a frame rack to make sure all the suspension components are where they should be.

If you did THAT much damage, you hit a helluva rock .

You can order the shop manual from Ray Crowe at Malloy Mazda (1-888-533-3400) for about $70.

Dale

 

it was a big rock.... Is this the same shop manual you are talking about http://rx7city.com/93manual.htm ? i just cant find the right section....

 

^ that is the correct one. it is in the suspension section.

 

I looked through the suspension section and it has information about removing the suspension composents but not particularly the subframe.... My main concern is how I am going to lift the engine, can it be done with a jack from underneath or should i use a winch or lift from above (would need to borow one). I imagine after removing the control arms and sway bar, lifting the engine, removing the motor mounts, its just a matter of unbolting the subframe and dropping it out? I just dont want to get into this without everything I am going to need (special tools or replacement parts ect...) I was also looking at some oil pan posts and i think I may want to pull that off to reseal it cause it looks to be leaking a lil. Would there be any other areas I should give attention to while the subframe is out?

 

I would try PM'ing turbojeff. He's done a bunch of ground-up FD rebuilds, and could probably point you in the right direction. I do agree, however, that you need to take the car to a reputable body shop to get the frame checked.

 

i replaced my subframe myself when i first got my fd also. it was really easy to do actually. the only thing that made it difficult for me was the fact that i had to borrow my friend ethans engine lift to do the work. its very straight forward though. first raise the car. then support the engine with the engine lift. next proceed to unbolt the underbelly tray/ sway bar(i dont remember this being in the way, so you should check to see if you need to)/ engine mounts/ and control arms. then i had my friend hold the subframe while i unbolted it and removed it. then reassemble in reverse order. after i was done putting the car back together i had an alignment done because i am sure it was bad after me pulling on everything. and that was the whole job. start to finish it took us about 3-4 hours. anyways thats the best i can remember about it since i did it about 3 years ago.

john

 

sounds good, I feel much more confident about this now, and after I'm done I will bring it to get checked out and aligned. THanks for the advice guys!!!

 

It's in section D, starting on Page 10. "Oil Pan Removal/Installation".

 

ahhh, so it is, thanks jimlab.