5 replies to this topic

[Mike92]

Model: Mayfair
Year: 1989

Hey guys, I'm getting my Mini in next week to replace the rear subframe, I'm also going to go in and help the garage when I got free time to help them, I'm guessing you have to take the wheels off, brakes, suspension and exhaust in order to get to the subframe, but how long does it take to get the subframe off if everything comes off ok and to fit the new one, and then fit the wheels etc? I'm guessing everything underneath the Mini should be fairly good seeming as the previous owner replaced the floor panels and sills but didn't replace the rear subframe.

Cheers guys, Mike

[scotty_18]

I recently done mine in the february half term. It took me and my dad two days, but that was to remove the subframe, fit my new suspension onto the new subframe and fit it, with awful weather too, so wasnt such a bad job nothing else needed replacing, but we had to bleed the rear brakes, and we also fitted new ball joints.
So if a garage were to do it, i think its a good days job

[Mike92]

Oh right ok, so I'm guessing we could get it done in maybe a day, which will be great

[minidaves]

3hrs on a good day everything comes undone and fitting a gen rear subframe

2 days on a bad bay when bolts snap

[998dave]

The biggest risk is if the bolts into the heel board snap, leaving you with hard to reach studs, or needing to cut them out. Be very careful doing this bit!

Remove the battery, empty the boot, feeb battery cable back through floor, and under the subframe.
Move the fuel tank, (check if the hose goes under the subframe - it shouldn't, but some do).
Undo shock adsorber from suspension turret, and loosen subframe bolts through floor.

Remove exhaust, disconnect hand brake, and brake lines, get everything out of the way.

Undo all eight subframe mounting blocks then jack the car up off the subframe, (leave wheels and everything on the frame).

Frame out, repair/replace, and rebuild.

Haynes will tell you all - I advise reading through the entire section on rear subframe removal/refitting before you start, twice.

Dave

[olds_kool_lews]

quickest me and a mate did a rear subframe is 35mins lol it was complete though, so roll out, roll in jobby, the mini we took for an mot failed on the rear subby, so we drove home, swapped out the rear subby in time for a re-test the same day, and it passed