Subframe swap - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

weagle · 12-06-2006, 10:22 PM

I drive a 1993 240sx. The current rear sub frame is cracked right where it bolts up to the differential. I had it welded when I found out about it. Week later it started to make the noise that the welds broke. Found a new one and I would like to swap it out myself and not pay somebody a lot of money to swap it for me. Figured since I need to swap the sub frame I would also do new sub frame spacers and new nuts and bolts.

1. Any other parts I should think about replacing?

2. Anybody ever done this?

3. What tools am I going to need? Other than the obvious.

4. Maybe I am wrong maybe it won't cost a lot should I take it to a shop?

5. Any input is good input even if its negative.

I have searched all over for answers and couldn't find anything sorry if I missed the thread I was looking for.

silverarrow27 · 12-06-2006, 11:28 PM

Easy job with basic tools, a couple jacks, and cheater bars.

I'm a 5'7" 140 lb guy and did it with no issues. It's about 6-10 bolts to drop the subframe only. Very straight forward, but use common sense as you're dropping the rear subframe out so I wouldn't lift the whole car up on jack stands; the rear end only.

Ninjabread · 12-07-2006, 07:44 AM

I might be doing the same when i take out my HICAS subframe... Only basic hand tools needed and while you are at it, you could replace all the busings and get some subframe spacers.

Dousan_PG · 12-07-2006, 08:00 AM

shit is SUPER easy
remove and replace
done!

tchenku · 12-07-2006, 08:15 AM

oh, and don't forget to detach the e-brake lines from the subframe.

weagle · 12-07-2006, 11:46 AM

I destroyed my e-brake lines in a little accident in Indiana, so I guess I don't have to worry about that step in the process.

Rayne · 12-07-2006, 11:33 PM

Take a look at the subframe and differiental bushings and replace if they looked cracked or falling apart.

gotta240 · 12-09-2006, 01:14 AM

while the entire subframe is out...... REPLACE THE FUCKING BUSHINGS if you are doing any serious driving or hear clunking in the rear.

If ever, now is the time.

samplesurf · 12-09-2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotta240

while the entire subframe is out...... REPLACE THE FUCKING BUSHINGS if you are doing any serious driving or hear clunking in the rear.

If ever, now is the time.

+1 or at least get the collars

gotta240 · 12-09-2006, 05:03 PM

fuck collars. If you need collars, get new bushings while its out..

collars are semi-half assed... a GREAT alternative if you dont want to remove the subframe..but if out..do it!

drftwerks · 12-09-2006, 05:26 PM

full aluminum from spl thats what have, feel great

S13 Charlie · 01-19-2007, 04:07 PM

I know this thread is a couple months old, but what's the norm for removing old subframe bushings? I remember seeing a how-to on torching them out, but can it be done with the proper sized drift and a BFH?

cheers,

Charlie

Flybert · 01-19-2007, 05:18 PM

On FA in the advanced section, they have a good writeup on it right now. It might be on the second page by now.

longdy · 01-19-2007, 07:13 PM

dang bro this is an easy ass job to do!!!... just un-bolt and pop them right in and bolt it right up!!..lol
good luck on it!

mjjstang · 01-20-2007, 01:21 AM

I have done this...... Well sort of. I found a subframe for 40 bux, had to take it out myself though. I went to the u pull it place with some 17's 15's....... (just bring all the big ones out) I also got yelled at for having a torch. But I guarantee you I would not have gotten it off without a torch. and I replaced all bushings. It is worth it. really messy and gave me a toxic headache... again that damn torch. I stripped a stud trying to get my old one off the car so project sits in my garage but all the hard work is done. I think I would have a shop do the stud though. anyway hope some of this helps. get alignment obviously.

airsoft · 01-20-2007, 01:34 AM

Remember to twist the bolts in by hand first to avoid cross threading. You'll really kick yourself in the ass if you decide to cross thread bolts.

Slidin240Wayz · 01-20-2007, 07:04 AM

r32 subframes fits on the s13 chassis...

Carlos

12-06-2006, 10:22 PM	#1
weagle Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 38 Posts: 225 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: weagle Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Subframe swap I drive a 1993 240sx. The current rear sub frame is cracked right where it bolts up to the differential. I had it welded when I found out about it. Week later it started to make the noise that the welds broke. Found a new one and I would like to swap it out myself and not pay somebody a lot of money to swap it for me. Figured since I need to swap the sub frame I would also do new sub frame spacers and new nuts and bolts. 1. Any other parts I should think about replacing? 2. Anybody ever done this? 3. What tools am I going to need? Other than the obvious. 4. Maybe I am wrong maybe it won't cost a lot should I take it to a shop? 5. Any input is good input even if its negative. I have searched all over for answers and couldn't find anything sorry if I missed the thread I was looking for.

12-06-2006, 11:28 PM	#2
silverarrow27 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Banning, CA Posts: 1,428 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	Easy job with basic tools, a couple jacks, and cheater bars. I'm a 5'7" 140 lb guy and did it with no issues. It's about 6-10 bolts to drop the subframe only. Very straight forward, but use common sense as you're dropping the rear subframe out so I wouldn't lift the whole car up on jack stands; the rear end only. __________________ 1989 240sx XE\|2002 Frontier SC CC LB 4wd\|2011 Pathfinder LE V8 4wd

12-07-2006, 07:44 AM	#3
Ninjabread Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Age: 36 Posts: 3,492 Trader Rating: (2) Rides Gallery: Ninjabread Feedback Score: 2 reviews	I might be doing the same when i take out my HICAS subframe... Only basic hand tools needed and while you are at it, you could replace all the busings and get some subframe spacers. __________________ 613DriftWerks.ca

12-07-2006, 08:00 AM	#4
Dousan_PG Post Whore! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Orange County, California Age: 46 Posts: 16,640 Trader Rating: (23) Rides Gallery: Dousan_PG Feedback Score: 23 reviews	shit is SUPER easy remove and replace done! __________________ Aaron Pink GodziRa www.geocities.com/pink_godzira

12-07-2006, 11:33 PM	#7
Rayne Zilvia Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 676 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Rayne Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Take a look at the subframe and differiental bushings and replace if they looked cracked or falling apart. __________________ Do need the Factory Service Manual? Click here.

12-07-2006, 08:15 AM	#5
tchenku Zilvia Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NC Posts: 224 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	oh, and don't forget to detach the e-brake lines from the subframe.

12-07-2006, 11:46 AM	#6
weagle Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 38 Posts: 225 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: weagle Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I destroyed my e-brake lines in a little accident in Indiana, so I guess I don't have to worry about that step in the process.

12-09-2006, 01:14 AM	#8
gotta240 Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: so cal Posts: 3,496 Trader Rating: (21) Feedback Score: 21 reviews	while the entire subframe is out...... REPLACE THE FUCKING BUSHINGS if you are doing any serious driving or hear clunking in the rear. If ever, now is the time.

12-09-2006, 05:03 PM	#10
gotta240 Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: so cal Posts: 3,496 Trader Rating: (21) Feedback Score: 21 reviews	fuck collars. If you need collars, get new bushings while its out.. collars are semi-half assed... a GREAT alternative if you dont want to remove the subframe..but if out..do it!

12-09-2006, 05:26 PM	#11
drftwerks Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: california Posts: 2,343 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	full aluminum from spl thats what have, feel great __________________ giantroboteyes.wordpress.com/

01-19-2007, 04:07 PM	#12
S13 Charlie Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 716 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	I know this thread is a couple months old, but what's the norm for removing old subframe bushings? I remember seeing a how-to on torching them out, but can it be done with the proper sized drift and a BFH? cheers, Charlie

01-19-2007, 05:18 PM	#13
Flybert Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: none Posts: 3,862 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	On FA in the advanced section, they have a good writeup on it right now. It might be on the second page by now.

01-19-2007, 07:13 PM	#14
longdy Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Long Beach Posts: 747 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	dang bro this is an easy ass job to do!!!... just un-bolt and pop them right in and bolt it right up!!..lol good luck on it!

01-20-2007, 01:21 AM	#15
mjjstang Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,654 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	I have done this...... Well sort of. I found a subframe for 40 bux, had to take it out myself though. I went to the u pull it place with some 17's 15's....... (just bring all the big ones out) I also got yelled at for having a torch. But I guarantee you I would not have gotten it off without a torch. and I replaced all bushings. It is worth it. really messy and gave me a toxic headache... again that damn torch. I stripped a stud trying to get my old one off the car so project sits in my garage but all the hard work is done. I think I would have a shop do the stud though. anyway hope some of this helps. get alignment obviously. __________________ I was going to, but I can not think of a sig less than 75 characters.

01-20-2007, 01:34 AM	#16
airsoft Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,231 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Remember to twist the bolts in by hand first to avoid cross threading. You'll really kick yourself in the ass if you decide to cross thread bolts.

01-20-2007, 07:04 AM	#17
Slidin240Wayz Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Everywhere Age: 40 Posts: 5,427 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	r32 subframes fits on the s13 chassis... Carlos __________________ Support Zilvia by purchasing a sticker!