9 replies to this topic

[minidan]

ok i need to replace a front subframe and i had a bit of a wacky idea to make things go a bit quicker...

if i explain what i want to do, then you lot can tell me if its a good idea or a bad idea lol

ok i thought if i jack up the car and support it under the floor with something suitable like a few wheels on their sides.
then i use an engine hoist that i have which is the type that is a big frame that stands over the car. and take the weight of the engine (but not move it)
then i can undo all the subframe mountings and engine mountings and drop the front subby out leaving the engine 'floating' , then put the new subby in place and connect up.

i know that i will be taking the driveshafts off etc, but i should be able to leave loads of other stuff still connected like the exhuast and the radiator plumbing and gearbox.

i just really dont want to have to remove the engine .

[Road Runner]

Well if your replaceing the subframe you will have to remove it at some time. Try and get som etressles to put the car on rather that wheels. I lowered my subframe out with a jack when I did it.

[biggav]

If you are going to all that trouble, why not take 20 mins extra and remove the manifolds and head... and radiator and make the whole job easier??

[Guess-Works.com]

You'll have to remove the exhaust anyway, and the gear linkage and all the brake lines so may aswell drop the engine and subframe in one go and lift the body over the top...

[minidan]

all i want to is replace the subframe, the engine is all good and working just sweet so i'd rather not touch it.

road runner - wouldnt tressles mean the car is really high up? not sure if i follow you there...

[minidan]

does the exhuast run through the subframe? i dont have any minis here so i cant look lol.

[Guess-Works.com]

Yup... exhaust and gear linkage go under the subframe, as does the battery cable...

In theory yes you can do it as you describe, leaving the engine suspended..

[minidan]

ahh ok, so the exhuast will come off and the gear linkage... (another question coming up lol)

im not trying it this way because im strange i just dont have anyone to help and much time...


question, how does the gear linkage come off?

Edited by minidan, 14 May 2007 - 09:49 AM.

[koss]

There is a small roll pin through it that needs knocked out with a flat ended punch.

[Road Runner]

You'll have to remove the exhaust anyway, and the gear linkage and all the brake lines so may aswell drop the engine and subframe in one go and lift the body over the top...

See what your tring to do now. Considering it only takes an hour or so to take the engine out I would not bother leaving it suspended as it could fall also with the engine out of the way it makes it easyer to remove the subframe. You can get low tressles I made some aboy 2ft high whe I rebuilt my car.