rear sub-frame mount replacement

[alfazagato]

May be a silly question but is it possible to replace the rear sub-frame mounts without totally removing the sub-frame, just lowering it sufficiently to get to the inner nuts? Anybody tried this?

Alfazagato

[mgcjag]

Hi yes it will be possible have never done it this way ive always just removed the complete irs.....you can get to all the mount bolts without lowering it, its only after these are removed that it can be lowered yuo will still have to disconnect the prop,brake hose, etc so that you dont damage anything when you lower the irs or raise the car.......have a good look when you remove the mount from tne body as there are usually spacer shims that may fall out and need replacing

[alfazagato]

Thanks for that. My reason for this enquiry is that I am changing the exhaust system and I thought that this would be a good time to replace the mounts without going the full hog of having to lower the sub-fame completely. Thus drop the frame to the safe limit of the prop and brake pipe connections and thus get access. Possible?

[mgcjag]

If the mounts are sound and have not seperated from the metal then leave as they are.....you can check by jacking tbe body one side at a time and look for the irs hanging loose, pry it with a bar to check.....if they need replacing then really dont think you will get the old out and new in with the brakes and prop connected, normally you need to sort of roll the irs in place.... fitting front mounts first, tnen the rear

[alfazagato]

Well it can be done! ..... removed the lower three nuts and two bolts holding each mount...lowered the unit sufficient to get a hand/spanner onto the rear mount top bolt heads, removed one mount at a time and then replaced it with a new one complete with the spacer shims. Gently jacked unit up back into position and then fiddled the vertical studs into the elongated holes. The replacement mounts had longer studs than the original ones which did make things fiddly and necessitated tipping the cage a little.
It was then I saw the real condition of the radius arm bushes and so they are on their way too together with the anti-roll bar bushes. Longest job of the day was getting the radius arm forward bushes free. Don't you just love it!

[mgcjag]

Great that you got it done.....note that when you try to push out the large radius arm bush it will only come out one way there is a small retaining lip on one side of the arm to stop the bush falling out.....all the best

[alfazagato]

Thanks I have seen that and hopefully the bush will just "pop out" with a 10ton press. More to follow.

[alfazagato]

Pop out was perhaps the understatement of the year as applied to the radius arm bushes. 10 tons and lots of WD and eventually an air gun to provide some much needed vibration and the two separated with a bang. All now back together and I have rather a smug feeling with all new mounts and rubbers at the rear. Thanks for all the assistance.

Stuart

[chrisfell]

Yes it can be done, BUT.....
Remember that when loosening or removing the sub frame one mount remains on the frame and one on the body each side. Has to be this way to allow the sub frame to drop without graunching threads on studs.

Given that dropping the frame is not a small job, I'd be inclined to include lots of other tasks, including rubbers on the brakes, pads, seals etc on the diff ( it will be leaking ), change shocks, check and repack all bushes and bearings........ And give the whole assembly a clean and repaint.

[alfazagato]

Thanks Chris, did the shock-absorbers and springs previously, have inspected pads (both foot and hand) and they are like new in thickness. Full grease to everything I can find. Here we go!

Stuart