What about bracing the upper control arm tube in the subframe? We have been doing that for several years.
We were seeing cracks develop in the heat affected zones where that upper tube is welded to the subframe. |
Thanks for this thread
This is something I never thought to check. I found this crack on the driver's side. The car has 162,000 miles on it. I assume that crack can be repaired, and then the braces added, but would I be better off finding a lower mileage subrame?
Thanks, . https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...6330f519f1.jpg |
If a crack has already developed, it's too late. Time for another subframe.
The gusset does not reinforce the entire subframe, it merely prevents the crack from forming in the first place |
Yup. IMO that's a "park the car" failure. Buy a used subframe, add the braces on the workbench, and then swap it in.
If you were thinking about doing an NB subframe, now is the time :) |
She is an NB. Serious question... can I remove the subframe without removing the engine if I have a hoist, jacks, trans jack, jack stands, etc.?
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Sure, yes. I would never pull the engine for just a subframe swap. I would pull all the control arms and the steering rack first, though - IMO it's easier to swap all that stuff with the subframe bolted down to something large and immobile, like a car :)
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I guess I got lucky, really. I just put some low-mileage LCAs on, front and rear, so the alignment bolts and such are all still loose and she's still up on jack stands.
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Originally Posted by Savington
(Post 1515032)
Sure, yes. I would never pull the engine for just a subframe swap. I would pull all the control arms and the steering rack first, though - IMO it's easier to swap all that stuff with the subframe bolted down to something large and immobile, like a car :)
Would still do it without pulling the motor if I had to do it today though. |
Originally Posted by FatKao
(Post 1515148)
Is there a trick to getting the engine lined back up? Getting mine back in involved pry bars ratchet straps and cursing. Ended up pulling both motor mounts, but it was still a massive pain in the ass.
Would still do it without pulling the motor if I had to do it today though. What engine mounts do you have? Ever since I swapped to AWR/SPM mounts it's super easy to line the mounts up. They swivel a bit so you can angle them however is needed. +1 to swapping subframe while bracing engine with it chained to strut tower brace/homemade brace and jack underneath the trans. One other tip after you get new subframe in. Torque it all down, drive around a bit, and then double check all bolts BEFORE you go get it aligned. |
OEM mounts. Unless I'm missing something dramatic about the way the Miata front suspension works, pushing the subframe forward only gives you more wheelbase. Every suspension/steering component mounts to it.
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Originally Posted by FatKao
(Post 1515184)
OEM mounts. Unless I'm missing something dramatic about the way the Miata front suspension works, pushing the subframe forward only gives you more wheelbase. Every suspension/steering component mounts to it.
http://www.memesboy.com/wp-content/u...-Edit-Meme.jpg |
Originally Posted by FatKao
(Post 1515148)
Is there a trick to getting the engine lined back up? Getting mine back in involved pry bars ratchet straps and cursing. Ended up pulling both motor mounts, but it was still a massive pain in the ass.
Would still do it without pulling the motor if I had to do it today though. I am doing it that way in a few weeks on a customer's turbo NA, and I'll try to remember to stop back by here and say how it went. My plan is to lower the engine about 2", get it bolted to the new subframe, and then use the hoist to lift the whole mess up into the car, pushing front/back/side-side as needed. |
Originally Posted by FatKao
(Post 1515148)
Is there a trick to getting the engine lined back up?
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Weld in (or attempt) frame gussets.... check.
Had rather big gap to fill in the valley. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...54f9048623.jpg |
Originally Posted by Savington
(Post 1515238)
Disclosure, I don't recall ever actually doing it that way. I know we swapped a front subframe one of the years at T25, but I either didn't do the lining-up bit, or it was such a nightmare I pushed the memory out of my mind.
I am doing it that way in a few weeks on a customer's turbo NA, and I'll try to remember to stop back by here and say how it went. My plan is to lower the engine about 2", get it bolted to the new subframe, and then use the hoist to lift the whole mess up into the car, pushing front/back/side-side as needed. |
1 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by GeneSplicer
(Post 1515354)
Weld in (or attempt) frame gussets.... check.
Had rather big gap to fill in the valley. The way I do it: Attachment 228370 |
Originally Posted by FatKao
(Post 1515723)
That is what I thought as well, but what I didn't think about is that the engine does not move up and down, it pivots on an arc set by the trans mount. Makes the fore/aft alignment a nightmare when the motor isn't at the exact right height.
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I was wondering about that Sav - thanks for the input! However, I didn't know orientation so looked at how Emilio had the Mazda logo - inward or outward... he had his inward, yours is outward... not that it matters - I thought inward looked to be more level.
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Flyer129 and myself took on the subframe removal after he broke his lower control arm mount. I made a short video on the process we used to remove it. Putting it back in wasn't really a big deal either but he does have AWR (?) mounts on the car.
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Don't forget to hold your tongue right, it's key to this job.......
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