Rear sub frame removal

Been thinking of taking my rear subframe off and getting it blasted and coated to neaten things up but was just wondering if it's a big job? I'd be doing it in my garage on the floor and I have all the tools inc air tools so how long do you think realistically to take it off on my own?

Ross (wrc) has just done his so maybe ask him
@wrc

Well ive done one and didnt take to long i would say a couple of hours roughly  .... undo hub nuts crack wheel nuts off  slightly both sides .... jack up rear end make sure its high enough to drop subframe and whatever you use to pull it out with wether its jacks or bread basket or similar  axle stands both sides just before subframe starts  take wheels off .... undo shocks  (two bolts at the bottom )    undo handbrake cables take calipers  off hang them off the shock springs with cable ties or string .... undo sensors plugs they are clipped to subframe ....  slide underneath  undo prop shaft  bolts ....  then its ready  to drop .... the only thing i would add is  you may want to do the bastard bolt either side before you drop it down ....

Yup it isn't that hard. I did it by myself in my garage.

The hardest thing about it is its bulky and heavy ....

Fairly easy , Undo prop . Undo suspension at bottom shocker bolts , Undo rear brakes and zip tie to the shockers . , Undo arb from shocks , Big jack under diff .. Undo 4 big nuts and lower the subframe ..
Think that's it .. not that hard though

Dont forget the sensors as your rip them off...

The rear subframe removal is actually easier than you think, its just basic nuts and bolts and not too many of them either really. The only slight hardship is breaking it away from the body, as remember its been there for nearly 25 years lol

The MAIN trouble is what you do with it when its off... tidying it up is one thing, but once you get there and you find your subframe bushes perished... might aswell change them.... then suspension arm bushes... diff needs to come out... might aswell tidy that up... so then you might aswell fit all 4 new cv boots.....

I was going to tidy my rear end up etc as it too was tired after 25 years, then this happened... lol

^ that looks super fresh

like wrc says getting it off is easy & quite quick but tidying it all up is the bigger job.
Ideally I would do all the bushes & cv boots if look poor.
If planning on full tidy up then like nomad said it would be best do the bastard lateral link hub long bolts first as if these well seized they take some shifting & you may find it easier do while still attached to car.

Id actually say its easier to remove the long hub bolts once the sub frame is removed as you have more room to hit the bastards etc. I preferred attaching the hubs once the subframe was reinstalled. Made it a little easier with less weight.

Strangely the big link bolt in each hub on mine came out much easier than I was expecting. I sprayed them with penetrant a couple times before we went for it. We undid mine on the floor with a gun.

You just need to decide how far you want to go really mate, this is a long term project for me so I went the whole way. Feels good afterwards though! Very laborious.

Be careful of the nuts as couple are captive into subframe snap these and your going to struggle ( sure it's diff ones from memory. Stuff like sensor brackets are small bolts tend to snap

Ross would you be able to put together a list of the rear bushes needed and a price for the lot that you got from nothalane ... as i would like to do mine but dont really want to spend silly money as i cant really afford to as its a job i need to be doing shortly ....

Its £163 for super pro bushes minus subframe bushes if there the same and cheaper then thats good.

Also if you want standard bushes then i think these fit the lateral arms and the one in the rear hub

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121766632259?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2648

55152-51E00

Hawkings did you ever use those little subframe bottom cup things you ordered by accident? Might have em if not.

Leighton I'll chuck you a message over tomorrow with all the descriptions and kit numbers and explain it all for you mate. If I haven't messaged you by the afternoon send me a message cause I'm forgetful as fook

Nope don't need to use them but i have 3, the other is at my former work place which nissan delivered it to. I wasn't going to bother getting it as i don't really want to set foot in that dump again.

How generous are you feeling tonight? haha

Ill think about it hmmm. Why don't you paint yours up?

Yeah no worries that would be helpfull mate ....

Stick it on this thread mate when you get it please

It's not too bad. That bastard bold either side is the pita though. I accidently cut through my hub with the grinder & had bob send me out two new ones          

Here's mine 3 days after being blasted:

Is it best to get it blasted and then powder coated with the old bushes still in. ?
Then press them out afterwards

I left mine in for the whole process then popped them out afterwards, just put a lick of rust treatment in the hole prior to fitting.

but tbh, doesn't really matter. You'd just need to do more sanding as the paint on the frame needs to be thick to last. I just slung my old bolts in the holes & threw them in the bin afterwards.

Also worthwhile investing in a tap & die set and a set of half moon files for when the bolts don't fit back in the holes.

As requested, a small guide is here:-

http://www.gtir-motorsport-club.com/t6216-nolathane-polybushing-a-guide#92569