I have not personally swapped a rear subframe on a gen 4 before, if its anything like the job on my minis it was a real ball ache. I could use a ramp, but that requires a 2hour drive to my mates wheel repair centre to use his workshop, not keen as any issues and I am miles away from home. Is it possible to do on the drive with just jacks and axles stands?? I plan to get new bolts, any other things to look for. Was planing to drop the tank at the same time and swap the fuel pump for a walbro. any other good things to do while rear is apart. Final question, a styling one at this, going to get it powder coated, what do you reckon to blue? to match the hoses in the blue.
blue is nice but isn't that going to be expensive to coat? i'd personally just paint it. (besides you are stitch welding it too) be very careful with the gas tank and pretest the walbro before installing it (to ensure you have a good one). the gas tanks tend to rust very badly right on the filler neck. also get new screws for the sending unit, filler neck, and pump housing. and gaskets. trust me on this one. i actually switched mine to bolts. i think they were 6mm*100 thread but don't quote me. paint the tank and get some vibration dampening to replace the worn rubber on the tank straps. spray lube the hell out of absolutely everything back that a couple days before and try to do it 2 times a day. should help loosen up everything. i guess you could do it on stands but the rear subframe is very heavy. be really careful and make sure you have help. and a phone in case of an emergency.
Thats well helpful cheers Mafix. may just paint the frame, a mate has a powder coating firm so it would be mates rates, but just realised the hassle in getting it to and from his unit. I will make up a swap list, as I def want to make sure I have everything to hand when I do this. Good tip on the fuel pump, Will be getting a new one, but will test it before hand. There will be two off us most of the time. I hope to have the spare frame here soon, ready to weld up. just going to strip it back to metal first, as its covered in crap. I think this will be a longer project than I anticipated.
isnt everything like that? hehe this sounds like a big job, lots of pics of the process would be cool good luck with it all
yeah lots and lots of pics, will try and do a write uo once we get started. btw not forgotern bout your gearlever pics...just not had the chance buddy.
plan is to do it after the 9th of Sept, as I then have a 6 week break before car is out on track again. Does anyone know the bore and spec of the fuel lines?, we are going to re make the brake lines up at the same time as the rear swap, and where the hoses sit alongside the fuel lines in that crappy plastic shroud, they have suffered from limited but significant corrision. 205 rear arms will be going on too. Cheers for advice, def will be a multi day project, reckon between 3 and 4 days, hopefully as we will be replacing most things, only stupid things such as snapped bolts etc will hold us up.
