102 replies to this topic

[gaspen]

Hello

 

 First of all : I do read lot's of topics and post about the rear subframe. Some says that buy a new one but not aftermarket. Others say the heritage subframe are no better. Moreover they're expensive.  So I decided to take a chance on repair the original on my car because I've got nothin to lose. Please don't dissuade me :)

 

 I'd like to chat people who made this work earlier and willing to share they experiences.

 

My plan is to keep the front and rear beams, I take them to sandblasting. The longitudinally beams will be re-manufactured with the help of templates that I made to the shape of the olda ones.

 

And here is what I have :

 

A jig which holds the subframe at the four mounting places

 

 sf1.jpg   78.6K   13 downloads

 

Left side dismantled

 

 sf2.jpg   85.16K   12 downloads

 

One of the longitudinally beams

 

 sf3.jpg   68.82K   10 downloads

 

A template for the beam. It is the first prototype :) I made a more precise already

 

 sf4.jpg   67.41K   7 downloads

[I hate Brian]

Good luck with the rebuild I'm intrigued to watch how this progresses 

[pete l]

Me too

[Homersimpson]

I have always wondered why we restore all other parts of a car by welding but the rear subframe always seems to just be replaced.

There were some panels for the lower bit but I haven't seen one for years.

[sonscar]

Over the years it has alternated between OK for Mot, not OK for Mot coupled with I suspect that mostly there is little to repair in some cases.At this time welded repairs that look as strong as original are allowed.Go for it,Steve..

[muzzy]

looking forward to following this.what thickness or gauge of metal are you going to use.

[greenwheels]

It would be good if you could publish here the templates you have gone to some trouble to create accurately.

[gaspen]

Thanks for your support ?

I'm going to use 1.5mm sheet metal. It is the thickness of the removed panels.

[gaspen]

It would be good if you could publish here the templates you have gone to some trouble to create accurately.

 

The templates for the long-ribs made from plywood. Edges are rounded with a router, allowing the metal to bend nicely. I made only two : one for the outer and one for the inner rib. Now I am satisfied with them, I'll see how they fit int the frame.

 

Left or right depends on which direction I willl hammering the sheet. 

 

 sf5.jpg   45.21K   2 downloads

 

One of the few "problems" I will facing the conical parts of the rib which support the rubber-cone plate. On one hand those aren't uniform. The outer is "deeper" because the cone plate is offset towards the wheel. On the other hand I made the templates for using them creating both sides. So I did not formed the cone shaped cavity. Maybe I'll make two templates for that cones, and I'll form after the outer edges are finished.

 

 sf6.jpg   49.99K   4 downloads

 

Here you can see the offset : 

 

 sf10.png   172.21K   3 downloads

[Norway Thomas]

This all looks pretty impressive and I think you will suceed with flying colours.

A smart idea to make a jig before you start and then those templates...

Well done if you don't mind me saying.

[Magneto]

Those peices don't look too bad in the pics, maybe just replace/repair the bad spots instead ot trying to makle the whole plate?

[MacGyver]

You could make a second outside panel to hold the flat bit, have the cut out on one and the dent on the other. Start by the dent so it can pull metal in, then the edges. Maybe let the edges be a little bit too big to allow the metal to 'shrink' as you make the dent in the middle...

I'm contemplating something similar, but I'm modifying the front and rear beams to allow for a custom exhaust system.
Good luck!

Ben

Edited by MacGyver, 16 January 2020 - 07:38 PM.

[gaspen]

You could make a second outside panel to hold the flat bit, have the cut out on one and the dent on the other. Start by the dent so it can pull metal in, then the edges. Maybe let the edges be a little bit too big to allow the metal to 'shrink' as you make the dent in the middle...

I'm contemplating something similar, but I'm modifying the front and rear beams to allow for a custom exhaust system.
Good luck!

Ben

 

Could you post some pictures about your subframe ? 

[gaspen]

Those peices don't look too bad in the pics, maybe just replace/repair the bad spots instead ot trying to makle the whole plate?

 

You can see all the pictures in my gallery. There is rust almost everywhere. It does not make sense to "patch" that holes.

 

https://photos.app.g...uF8o6md6VgY5Fo7

Edited by gaspen, 16 January 2020 - 08:04 PM.

[MacGyver]

You could make a second outside panel to hold the flat bit, have the cut out on one and the dent on the other. Start by the dent so it can pull metal in, then the edges. Maybe let the edges be a little bit too big to allow the metal to 'shrink' as you make the dent in the middle...

I'm contemplating something similar, but I'm modifying the front and rear beams to allow for a custom exhaust system.
Good luck!

Ben

Could you post some pictures about your subframe ?

Sure, as soon as I get started on it, it's still only drawings at the moment as I'm in the middle of my end of study's 'mémoire'.
Oh,and you could add the 'sportspack' reinforcements while you're at it, can't hurt. ?
Like your jig by the way. ?


Edit: longwordoutofmany...

Edited by MacGyver, 17 January 2020 - 06:23 AM.