Subframe install

[thorrinn123]

Well i am now putting everything together after the clutch and rod bearings install i need some pointers on how to install the subframe.....when i jack it up to put the bolts in the engine mounts front and back are not in alignment.....the engine is held with a engine support bar but i also have it jacked up at the oil pan for extra support. Do i remove my jack and let the engine come down then jack up the subframe so the bolts fit put the nuts on them and the transaxle then continue jacking the subframe up? wont that be hard to position the subframe in the right position? Any ideas or how to's will be greatly appreciated i see the light at the end of the tunnel here ....

 

[Shoaz]

Yes, drop the engine enough to mate the mounts into the subframe then pull it all up with the subframe mount bolts.

There's a lot of slop for the subframe to move around during installation. It's a common trick for competition driving to slide the subframe as far forward as possible and tighten it back down to get more caster in the front alignment. It can be moved quite a bit, so no worries there.

There are alignment holes in the front of the subframe, one is a hole, one is an oval "slot", that get the subframe more or less centered where it's intended to be. Usually a socket wrench handle or a piece of rebar or something can be used to align the subframe using the holes in the subframe and the unibody.

So, to recap:

1. Drop the drivetrain down far enough that you can mate the engine/tranny mounts to the subframe.

2. Raise the subframe enough to start the subframe mounting bolts.

3. When the mounting bolts are just close enough to tight that the subframe can still be moved, align it using the single hole on the front corner and tighten that corner down.

4. Use the slot on the other front corner to align forward/backward, then tighten that corner down.

5. Tighten the rear corners.

6. Get an alignment.


The alignment will be necessary since it'll be unlikely that the subframe will be back in exactly the same position it was before, and that can have a big effect on the alignment.

 

[thorrinn123]

should i also attache the power steering as well....or after ....
also when raising the subframe is it going to fairly easy to move it around into position with al the weight that there is?