Is Changing My O/S Front Sub Frame Tricky?

Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:41 pm

Hi,

Can anyone answer the above and if its not to tricky are there any pointers as I have a doner in the garage and I want to keep this old girl going for one last year.

many thanks

Carl

Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:45 pm

i'm kinda lost as to what you mean!

the front subframe holds the engine, steering rack, anti-roll bar and front balljoints for the bottom wishbones. is this the bit you want to replace? it's one unit for both sides...

or do you mean the bottom wishbone or something?

Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:47 pm

hi there

sorry i didnt say it was a 318is,

and the mot station have said "offside front sub-frame fractured"?

i really dont know cars so i cant say anymore other then i really appreciate your help

thanks

carl

Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:54 pm

ahaa, thought it might be due to mot wording!

if you have a spare subframe, it's a case of stripping everything off the subframe (look for the large 'beam' part under the sump that everything attaches to).

the engine will need supporting (borrowing an engine crane will be easiest)

basically, once the engine is lifted clear, the rack and wishbones etc will need removing and ten the whole lot swapping over from your donor car.

check the donor car over before starting though as if the rack, ARB bushes, wishbones etc are better then it's worth swapping them over as a whole assembly.

oh yeah, unless you swap the dodgy stuff back onto your donor car, it'll be stranded in the garage!

Sat Dec 30, 2006 5:18 pm

thanks Gareth

you make it sound almost do able, but to someone who does not know mechanics would you advise giving it a go, i can get a hoist from next doors, but the disconnecting of the other bits sounds a lot of work?

i know things on motors are very rarely easy, are there like bushes and stuff or would it just be nuts and bolts mate?

thanks

carl

Sat Dec 30, 2006 6:30 pm

If you dont know mechanics then i would leave it for a garage to do!

Andrew

Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:10 pm

Demlotcrew wrote:If you dont know mechanics then i would leave it for a garage to do!

Andrew

This would be a good way to learn!
I expect its an anti roll bar mount that's broken. New mount might solve the problem.

Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:45 pm

thanks for you advice everybody, my neighbour who knows a bit is gonna help tomz so hopefully she will live for another year