Hey Guys,

Anyone have a 3rd gen subframe laying around and can get a quick measurement ? The 4 body mount locations on mine were in such bad shape that I cut them out and welded in new steel. My question is about the diameter of the holes where the bushings go. The front two holes on mine appeared to be smaller than the back, is this right? It looks like the fronts are 1 5/8" and the rear are 1 3/4", but again mine were so deteriorated I want to be sure. Any info is appreciated !
:beers: John

If ya mean the 4 that mount to the body, theyre all 1½" in diameter.

Thanks, CD. :beers:. Wow, the holes in mine were really in bad shape. I'd put up a pic of what I cut out but, as some know, I can't seem to get the *&$%# things to go. My computer may have a blue oval stuck to the side of it ! Maybe it's just me.:o

Does the 1 1/2 " give room to shift the frame around for panel alignment ?

Well, the play in it to adjust the alignment comes from the play in the square cage nuts that are mounted to the body, so you dont want any play in the bushing holes in the frame.

Yeah, I figured that out about 10 minutes after I wrote that. :o Thanks.

Heres a pic of the hole locations for the ones under the firewall that may help ya.......

http://home.sport.rr.com/cdjrracing/FRAME%20MOUNT.jpg

Thanks again, CD. I scribed the centers of the old holes on two axis before I replaced the metal, but I will check them against your pic before drilling. As corroded, thin, and enlarged as the old holes were from 39-year old rotten rubber bushings sitting on them, I don't know if I can trust where the centers appeared to be. I'll definitely use the pic.

:beers: John

Glad to help, John. I forgot to mention that those measurements are from the outermost edges, so it includes the thickness of the metal thats bent 90* and turns downward, if that makes sense lol.

Well, here's how the job went, for all that are interested. I TIG-welded in some 3/16" flat bar, then drilled 1 1/2" holes w/ a holesaw. Thanks again to CDJr for the dimensions. All 4 body mounts were done pretty much the same.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z217/novage/Subframe4.jpg
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z217/novage/Subframe6.jpg
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z217/novage/Subrepair6.jpg

Looks great, John :thumbsup:That first pic is exactly how mine, and many others Ive seen, looked before I repaired it too.

I'm curious! If the mount holes were that hogged out, how is the structural integrity of the remaining steel in the immediate area? The mount will will defintely be strong but if the metal around it is getting thin then wouldn't this type of fix be counterproductive?

John

Actually, nut, the way they usually corrode is immediately under the bushing, and out from under it, theyre fine. Mine was tapered just like a knife, but 1/2" from the edge of the hole it was perfect all the way around...in other words, I couldve cut out a hole 1" larger and it wouldve looked mint, if that makes any sense lol.

Actually, nut, the way they usually corrode is immediately under the bushing, and out from under it, theyre fine. Mine was tapered just like a knife, but 1/2" from the edge of the hole it was perfect all the way around...in other words, I couldve cut out a hole 1" larger and it wouldve looked mint, if that makes any sense lol.

It does!! My next question is who helped you hide the body?

Where ya been? Haven't seen you much at Steves!

Novage?

Are you going to blast the frame and powdercoat? Rust encapsulate?

John

I'm glad to hear mine wasn't the only subframe to ever get like that. :) Yeah, the surrounding metal looked to be pretty good, just pitted all over. Looks like they were made from 1/8" steel originally, right ?

I was going to blast it and paint it myself, but I'm thinkin about looking for a place that will dip it, to get all the rust out from inside. Maybe they coat it too. I think the integrity of the thing is OK, it's just pitted all over. There's even some factory remains of mig wire sticking out here and there !

Hey CD, I'm thinkin about backing up the seams in the runners with some weld beads, so it won't be just stitched together. What do you think ?

:beers: John

Ya, I been outta town alot lately, nut...aint been around much.

John, if ya go look at my site, thats exactly what I did to my frame while I had it out and stripped it. I even ground off a lotta the factory welds that looked like theyd been welded by a near-sighted monkey, then I welded up the full seam. It was probably unnecessary and even overkill, but hey, it was out, stripped, and just begging to be welded :D

Ya, I been outta town alot lately, nut...aint been around much.

John, if ya go look at my site, thats exactly what I did to my frame while I had it out and stripped it. I even ground off a lotta the factory welds that looked like theyd been welded by a near-sighted monkey, then I welded up the full seam. It was probably unnecessary and even overkill, but hey, it was out, stripped, and just begging to be welded :D

I hear ya! You take one thing apart and see how much better you can make it with just a little weld here or a powdercoat or paint there and next thing you know the whole cars apart!:o

John

Boy, aint that the truth lol. Seems like every time I tear something apart, Im inevitably convinced there has GOT to be a better way. And naturally, I am determined to find it...no matter how much trouble it is or how long it takes! :D

Boy, aint that the truth lol. Seems like every time I tear something apart, Im inevitably convinced there has GOT to be a better way. And naturally, I am determined to find it...no matter how much trouble it is or how long it takes! :D

Buy the car already dissassembled like I did! Then again you run into the problem of figuring out what goes where, but thats what parts cars teach ya.