Subframe going on...

esta · Post by **esta** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:20 pm

OK, the subframe is being changed...and I cant get hold of any ramps at work-an I have to now do it in a rubbish normal house garage...so my plea is, anyone local know where I can go?

I have phoned a few places who supposedly were like self storage for cars, but all their "workshops" are currently being used. I am looking for a large garage type of thing, or even better somewhere with ramps!

Thanks to stupid OTT health and safety laws I cant just rent out the local garages one for the weekend

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:32 pm

What kind of ramps do you want? I would say engine crane to hold engine ect up then drop the frame off once you have axle stands.

lee · Post by **lee** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:16 pm

martinholmesuk Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject:

What kind of ramps do you want? I would say engine crane to hold engine ect up then drop the frame off once you have axle stands.

Always works for me. If fact i have done this to the vader on a non solid floor in mattbats poly tunnel and was fine.

No need for a big garage. If i were free i would offer my services whoever i am already booked

esta · Post by **esta** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:21 pm

Hi. I have engine hoist and axel stands and mini drive on ramps. I was just told I would need a proper 2 post ramp to do it comfortably...otherwise then I shant worry, I am just looking for as least a stressful job as poss, sick of trying to do such large projects in such small places!!

lee · Post by **lee** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:45 pm

esta Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject:

Hi. I have engine hoist and axel stands and mini drive on ramps. I was just told I would need a proper 2 post ramp to do it comfortably...otherwise then I shant worry, I am just looking for as least a stressful job as poss, sick of trying to do such large projects in such small places!!

Number 1 no job is stress free on a 480.
Number 2 a subframe is not a large project.

A full strip down and rebuild, spraying etc either in a single (can't open both doors) garage or on your driveway which is on a hill and in full public view is a small place. I have been there done that. Now i have a nice garage i don't get to use it much as never a day goes by without a car stopping me using it and still end up working outside in the wind, rain and sun.

Who ever told you, you needed a two poster to do this job was chatting from another area of their body. You will not need drive on ramps. What you will need though and this is most important is a good jack with good jacking height. A helper would make life easier when it comes to putting the new subframe on. This job should take no longer than a day at the outside.

esta · Post by **esta** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:54 pm

I dont think you realise that i have spent the best part of 4 months trying to fit an new engine, refurb, weld and respray the XR3i in this single garage which also holds an industrial sized compressor and 2 shot blasting machines. This is of course by no means a large project in scale of what i have just done, its just i am sick of having to duck and dive and CRAVE a large area i can walk freely in without having to make sure there is nothing im going to tread on, or anything i am going to knock my head on!

Plus i know how you feel as this single garage is only accesible thro a steep driveway which has its own problems trying to get the volvo in as the 480 is too low and the driveway too steep, so that in itself is a challenge i dread everytime!!

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:06 pm

i am sick of having to duck and dive and CRAVE a large area i can walk freely in without having to make sure there is nothing im going to tread on, or anything i am going to knock my head on!

Join the club and stop being a little girl

Welcome to hell! Sucks don't it. The amount of times I had to take equipment out and shove it around the corner (which I don't own) My ramps and crane are under plastic sheets lol.

glasgowjim · Post by **glasgowjim** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:35 pm

Esta wrote

"spent the best part of 4 months trying to fit an new engine, refurb, weld and respray the XR3i in this single garage which also holds an industrial sized compressor and 2 shot blasting machines."

serious respect lil lady

esta · Post by **esta** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:53 pm

@ Martin-yes i think you would understand looking at your garage-just like mine (but with an even cooler car!

)

@ GlasgowJim-thanks

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:36 pm

pol · Post by **pol** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:04 am

I've removed subframes before with an engine support beam. A hoist will do the same if not better.

pol

esta · Post by **esta** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:03 pm

Does anyone have any recommendations or a "How To" guide, or is it fairly self explanatory? (Havent looked yet, just rust proofing the next one!!)

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:39 pm

My engine swap thread has some photos of related bits and pieces.

Its not hard, but does take a while. At the end of the day its just 4 big nuts, 4 small ones, a steering linkage, some brake pipes and a lot of wires and hoses.

I can do it with a hoist, crane or a few large jacks.

The first two make it easier, especially for getting the thing from under the car, and repositioning the engine.

SMOOTH 480 · Post by **SMOOTH 480** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:04 pm

If you want a hand ?

esta · Post by **esta** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 1:20 pm

Hey cheers Adam, but some of the guys at work offered bless em!

Anyho... replacement subframe cleaned:

Subframe rustproofed (excuse the colour, just using up my last tub of hammerite!!)

and lula ready to go...!!!

Van · Post by **Van** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 6:56 pm

Impressive what you do for your car Esta.

esta · Post by **esta** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:07 pm

Van wrote:Impressive what you do for your car Esta.

Aw thanks Van!

indeed! after 2 hours of constantly using the angle grinder my hands and fingers could barely grip anything, and this morning my arm muscles are killing me-and my legs as it got to the point that i was using my legs to stop my arms from loosing grip

bless!

I think its that HAV, or its cos I'm a lame gal!!

esta · Post by **esta** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:35 pm

Um...nice...

Well my boyfriend is currently de-stressing with a hammer

eEm · Post by **eEm** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 10:06 pm

Whats that rusty thing in the pictures!? Did you dig it up?

SMOOTH 480 · Post by **SMOOTH 480** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 8:01 am

its kinda crazy to think that was holdin all youre vital bits in hun

Theres an amount of rust i would hate to see .... Glad to see you have it all in hand though