Quote:
Originally Posted by BodhiBenz1987
Kind of hard to tell how bad the subframe bushing are, but I can definitely tell a lot of the other bushings back there are in poor order. Thrust arm, camber arm, tie rod (boot is torn on one) and the bushings on what I guess would be called the rear lower control arm(?) all very worn. The front suspension was rebuilt entirely in 2002 but in the rear only the swaybar (and linkage) and shocks are newish. The diff bushings are also quite bad, as mentioned. Basically, what I can't decide is whether or not to try this project. I kept putting it off because I couldn't decide (stupid, I know). I'm confident I can do the diff bushings, but it seems silly to do that myself if I'm going to take it to my indy for the rest. Or do that, then take it apart myself again to do the subframe. My concern with the subframe is that it looks like a very physically difficult (dangerous) job. Also has a crack that needs a weld and I can't weld (yet).  |
You should put the word out that your looking for a subframe, maybe someone down south can help you out with a nice clean and rust free one from a car that's headed to the bone yard. Or after some nice guy reconnoiters a decent one in a bone yard get the address, take a weekend and do a road trip down the Carolinas or Georgia hit the bone yard and strip every thing off one and bring it home. grab a couple wheel carriers and you can do the rear wheel bearings also, everything at your leisure!
You've got the place now you can give it the once over, press in all new bushings, bolt on all new control arms, new subframe and diff mounts, then when the time comes drop yours swap the differential onto it and your wheel carriers and then your axles and you'll tight right and out of sight!
The car will ride like it did 23 years ago!
Seriously it is much much easier to do the complete job with the subframe off the car, as long as you have a decent floor jack lifting it back up and into place is really not that big a deal. This job is much more difficult with it still under the car, it’s very hard to get at everything, with it on the ground you can get to almost everything from above it easily.