15 replies to this topic

[Beddo88]

Ok, so come MOT time my cars going to fail MOT on rear subframe. Bits fo rust hrer and there etc. Have got hold of a replacement from a fellow TMF member, lovely chap, just wondered what i should be looking at when refurbishing it. Obviously will be cleaning ti up, painting it etc, but in terms of brake assemblies, suspension, what parts should i be looking at replacing? (Will be getting new Kayaba shocks also)

Cheers, Dan

[rozzer1275]

most likely to be fubr in order best to check as you go, get the first 3 on the list anyway.

rear subframe nuts and bolts some or all will be sized
rear radius are hand brake quadrants/pins and washers will be sized
rear radius arm sharft and bearings most likely worn
rear brake cylinders one or both will be sized
rear brake adjusters one or both will be sized
rear radius knuckle joint plastic cap may have gone
large rear sub bush mounting pin can give problems
rear wheel bearings check them while your there
rear brake shoes depends how long they have been in
hand brake cable should be ok
rear sub bushes should be ok
brake pipes should be ok
cone springs should be ok

new shocks well worth the money
jet wash and paint the whole boot floor
big can of WD

[Beddo88]

Thanks, quite an exhaustive list!

I have planned on taking it all apart to clean it, so will check for seized parts as i go. In terms of knuckle joints, is it worth replacing them? Read on here somewhere they're the most likely part to go in suspension terms?

Will be getting a new fitting kit for it also.

In terms of sealant, what is the best type? Waxoyl or Dinitrol (sp?) any other suggestions?

Cheers, Dan

[rozzer1275]

yer agreed best to check and make a list as you go, you can buy the plastic caps for the knuckle joints on there own and save some cash, just check/clean and regrease the old ones.

I would kurust any bad bits then paint the whole boot floor the then go over with body schutz or waxoyl or under seal. don't go straight over with under seal alone i did and i am regreting it, it makes any rust worse. waxoyl is good but has little abrasion resistance best for cavitys, a friend of mine swears by painting then waxoyl even in cavitys.

frost do a cavity spray tube for spray cans.

[Neilos]

Ive just done my back subframe for exactly all the reasons you want to do yours. I also wanted to refurbish a second hand subframe and re-use as much stuff as i could. In the end i replaced everything.

All id say is buy a grinder and get the old subframe off the car. Then assess the situation.

I ended up having my old subframe with everything bolted to it on my garage floor then basically built up a new one next to it.

I think it depends on how much patience and time you have. I ended up decided i wasnt going to mess around trying to clean bits up and bolt new and old bits together, so did the lot. Plus i found that most bits are cheap.

I wire-brushed my heel board and boot foor, then gave it one hel;l of a coat of black underbody waxoyl. Ive got waxoyling let to do now everything is bolted back together. Im thinking of using the fefil can and spray gun halfords (or hell-frauds) sell.

My mate said his mk1 golf was waxoyled every year and was rust free from new with no bodywork replaced!!!! all original from 1988 or whatever. Thats what has persuaded me!

[Beddo88]

Sounds good, well as said i would definately be replacing the shocks anyway (having just replaced the front ones) and would be sealing to prevent as much rust as poss. Not worth doing a job if its only gunna last until next year!!

Neilos, When you say you replaced everything what do you mean? Radius arms, rubber cones etc? or things like the knuckle joints? ie. the cheaper stuff. Although obviously if anything is beyond use it'll have to be replaced anyway.

Can't check it now as im at uni, but i've got the whole xmas break to work on it, so should be in reasonable knick when its put onto the mini.

[Neilos]

Yeah man, everything.

I put everything on there new, all new piping, handbrake cables, radius arms, pins, quadrants, cones, hi-lo's, knuckle joints, dampers, cups...etc.

All my original stuff was covered in oil, mud and *rubbish* and was all rusting and practically ceased. Plus i want to make my car to show standard so hence the job!

I sourced lots of bits on the net...etc so if you need any advice or whatever just ask.

The most expensive things on my list was the subframe, radius arms and pre-built brake assemblies. Everything else was pennies.

[Neilos]

Here is a few pictures:

The subframe i took off...





The make over...

[Neilos]

My pride and joy. I love this car to bits!!!

[rozzer1275]

My pride and joy. I love this car to bits!!!

Nice car, where did you get the alloy subfame mounts from, i was telling a friend about them and not been able to find them.

[big matt]

them pictures look all to familiar ive just had to replace my subframe too for all the same reasons, but found it was cheaper to fit a beam axle because got myself a set of 2nd hand nearly new coilovers, but boy did i regret to much fettling and as my mate called it "tittervating", but end results are well worth it, would recomend buying a grinder and welder lol and a big can of tetroseal, ive also rust treated then a coat of red oxide primer then a coat of black paint followed by a coat of tetroseal and it looks mint and will last ages

[Classic&Competition]

Nice car, where did you get the alloy subfame mounts from, i was telling a friend about them and not been able to find them.
[/quote]

I want some too!! Where from and how much??
Very tidy car by the way!

[Beddo88]

Shiny lol those mounts look awesome. And the minis gorgeous!! Really want a white mini... may buy one in summer. Until then though, Its on with the subframe!! Can't wait to get started on it... dam uni work.

Cheers for the pics by the way, and thanks for the protection advice big_matt

still new to this, but best way to learn is to get involved right?!

EDIT: Just realised you posted answer just before the pictures.. got distracted.

Edited by Beddo88, 16 December 2008 - 09:04 PM.

[edi57]

DSN Classics Ltd sell those alloy subframe trunnions. Quite cheap at £34 excl vat.

[Marky Tizz]

why would you need to use a grinder to get the subby off >.< just have a little patience but great work mate, you've done a much better job than mine will end up being no doubt.