SFB and SF issues

[Zap]

Greetings... I will be soon reinstalling my subframe during a clutch job, and was curious if anyone could help me out with these problems that I have not encountered before.

1. I will be installing new Al SFBs, and on one of the front old bushings, the ring with the nuts rusted so badly that it fell apart, leaving the nuts/bolts permanently spinning in the holes. How can I easily remove those nuts so I can install the new bushing? (FWIW, the nuts have small pieces of metal still attached to them on the bottom and the nuts came off slightly before the ring pieces just started spinning.

2. I believe that the tabs have failed on 3 of the 4 plate nuts. I know that I should have no trouble accessing the recall holes on the one rear nut, but both front nuts failed and will be replaced with new ones. What is the easiest way to raise the subframe and get it lined up properly?

3. I asked in the other forum, but I figure I could see if I get any additional input here. Since I have the SF off and everything apart, are there any inexpensive parts/bushings I should replace or grease to keep things operating smoothly? I don't want squeeks or other problems when I complete the major amount of service I'm doing to the car. Any suggestions are appreciated, as I am not as keen with the suspension related things.

Thanks!

 

[WakaShoMan]

1. I had one of those bushing nuts spin just like you said. I just Dremelled the nut off.


2. Did the front tabs actually "fail" (ie, snapped or rusted off) or was the nut simply pushed up and out of the tabs when the bolt was removed? This is what happened to me. When I removed other bolts, I made sure to let the bolt "drop" as I loosened it instead of ketting it push the nut up and out of the tabs.

 

[pjtoledo]

If you still have the subframe off you should consider taking it to a welder and re-welding the cups for the tension struts. They like to break off, causes lots of clunking.


Perry

 

[fricker66]

Your situation sounds familiar. During my recent clutch replacement, we had the two rear subframe nuts break their tabs. Had to use the access holes to hold them in place while tightening up the bolts. According to Josh on his video and clutch replacement writeup, he indicated that the front two subframe nuts can be removed/replaced using two access holes in the frame. The psgr side access is behind the a/c unit while the driver side is behind one of the horns.

As for cheap bushings to replace, I opted to replace all of the strut rod bushings using MOOG replacement parts through Rockauto. For the front sway bar bushings, I ordered the greaseable poly units from SHONUT. So far so good.