Subframe nut access hole - nonrecall car

[Jarrod]

Have an '89. Have recently developed some noise and slop in the steering. appears that rear right subframe bolt is loose. have tried tightening, but it just spins. My car has not had the recall done. Just looking for what size and exactly where I need to put the hole to gain access to the nut under the carpet. Sorry if I missed it in a post somewhere, I searched but couldn't find.
Thanks in advance!

 

[luigisho]

Can you still get the dealer to do the recall? It is a safety issue after all.

 

[Jarrod]

No. None recall state. Always been in Oklahoma. DIY for me.

 

[WSC-SHO]

I think there's a little hole there if I remember right, I used a 2.5" hole saw and a drill.

 

[93rev2sev]

The recall kit comes with instructions.

 

[jayro]

The recall kit comes with instructions.

x2. You will want to do both sides. If yours is anything like mine, heat is your friend. If that fails then you can cut/grind the head of the bolt off and then pull it out from the top. May want to replace your subframe bushings while you are there.

 

[Racer X]

x2. You will want to do both sides. If yours is anything like mine, heat is your friend. If that fails then you can cut/grind the head of the bolt off and then pull it out from the top. May want to replace your subframe bushings while you are there.

Co-signed.

 

[zblackbeast]

Alsfb ftw.. also, mine had the recal done yet during my tranny swap this weekend both my rears decided to spin. The passenger one came clean off and I had it in my hand.

 

[220ksho]

Yes, and use gen III subframe bushings. They are superior and a couple bucks cheaper last time I checked..

 

[mutkokhan]

any modifications needed for the gen 3 bushings?

 

[Jarrod]

Selling the car. Just need the bolt tightened. Already marked where it should be after measuring. Not ungrateful for the suggestions or opinions, but my diminutive post count doesn't mean I don't already know of all the options out there. New owner is well aware of what I am doing and will be performing recall on his own at a later date.
Sometimes people really do just need their question answered. Thanks, guys!

 

[zblackbeast]

I've got alsfbs and wouldn't trade um for anything imho

 

[Racer X]

Selling the car. Just need the bolt tightened. Already marked where it should be after measuring. Not ungrateful for the suggestions or opinions, but my diminutive post count doesn't mean I don't already know of all the options out there. New owner is well aware of what I am doing and will be performing recall on his own at a later date.
Sometimes people really do just need their question answered. Thanks, guys!

But we did answer your question.

The recall kit comes with the necessary instructions for cutting the hole.

Furthermore... the pre-recall bolt receivers don't have a provision for a wrench to grab onto. There isn't a whole lot of clearance in that space either, so throwing a vice grip on that piece might prove to be something of a challenge, especially if the bolt has seized enough to rip the tabs off.

 

[Jarrod]

There is some useful information that I've not been able to find anywhere on the forum so far. Every subframe bushing, bolt, and related parts post I've seen has been on a post-recall car. Car leaves Wednesday, and I very seriously doubt the Ford dealership here has a kit in stock. And, now it's too late to get one today.

 

[Racer X]

Won't hurt to ask tomorrow. Yeah, you're not in a recall state, but those kits haven't exactly been flying off the shelves lately. You might luck out.

 

[sperold]

You can follow the 2 spot-weld rows on your floor that attach your subframe hat section to the bottom of the floor pan. Your nut (or rather a small flat bar with a threaded hole) is in line with that (between the rows) and out towards the front bumper a few inches.
Cut your hole up on the firewall (and it doesn't have to be round) so that the bottom of your opening is a few inches up from the crease (that forms the floor to firewall division point).
I would open up a square opening with a grinder and leave the top of it connected to the firewall. Bend it up, get your access, then flatten it back down and weld it up if you want.
Here is a picture of the beast:http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=21397&highlight=subframe+bushing+access+hole
It is on sheet or page 5, 7 items from the last post