Removing stock sub-frame at home
 

Hey guys-

Anybody know of a good article on removing (and re-installing) the stock sub-frame on a first gen Camaro in a home garage?

I am looking to media blast, weld and paint the stock unit and I will be removing it at home without the use of a lift (just jacks and stands). So I wanted to know what the correct and safe way to do it was...and get it back together. This will be a one man job so I wanted to know what I was up against. Thanks.

Our instruction kit is 2195.00 and comes with a FREE SUB FRAME
:lol: :lol: :thumbsup:

Check amazon for a used copy of a book titled "Restore Your Camaro" published in the early 90's. It has a good step by step description. There is a couple of guys working on an orange Z28 on the cover.

That's a nice collection of cars you have there.

Don

Thanks, Don. I appreciate it.

The kit sounds great, Blake :lol: ....Now if your free sub-frame had a completed Camaro stuck on top of it....

were working on that........... i think we will need to adjust the pricing slightly tho :thumbsup:

It'll be self explanatory, just get in there.

I've done them before by myself, the bare sub isn't that heavy. :thumbsup:

If you are doing this yourself, weld up a support frame that you can mount to a floor jack. This will make it easy to hold everything in place while you bolt it in place.

Scott
welders360

Is it a rolling chassis, or is the engine and tranny already mounted?

Rolling chassis will obviously be much easier. 6 subframe mounts, 2 under the driver/passenger seat, 2 under the firewall, and 2 at the radiator housing. The front bumper supports attach to the subframe with 2 bolts each. Make sure there are no ground wires attached to the subframe, and it should just pop right out. I would hit all the subframe mounts with something like PB Blaster a couple times during the week before pulling them out. Loosen a little, tighten a little, loosen, tighten until you know for sure they aren't seized up.


Obviously you'll need to jack the car from somewhere other than the subframe to remove it.

If the engine is in place, then you have a lot more things to consider. Wires, hoses, etc.

It will be a rolling chassis. Thanks for the the great info. I imagine, once the brake lines are out and any grounding wires are removed, it should come right out. Does that sound right?

Here are a couple of links on how to replace the subframe bushings. You can use this for reference to remove them all.

http://www.competitionengineering.co...c3027_inst.pdf

http://www.speedtechperformance.com/...prod/prd66.htm

When re-installing the subframe, there will be a set of alignment holes in the mounting plates at the firewall that are used to line up the subframe with the body. You can use a dowel to line the holes up before tightening down the body mounts. The diameter of the hole is something like .62 inches???

This is excellent advise. It can save the nuts on the body from damage.

Yep, its sounds like you got it.

you get that info i sent you?
was it any help?

No, I didn't get anything.

Is the email in your profile correct?

Yes, sir.

If the A arms & steering box is off, place the floor jack to the rear of the main crossmember, the rear tails of the sub will want to drag on the floor as you pull it out but you can push down on the front frame horns and pretty much balance it. Support on jack stands each rocker panel near the pinch weld. I put a 2X4 on the jack stands to give it some grip.
David

Thanks, David. I appreciate the input.

Couple floor jacks, an engine hoist, and some snowmobile dollies and you're all set. :thumbsup:

https://lateral-g.net/forums/show...t=26575&page=6

Here.... You do it just like this! :lol: :unibrow:



http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/IMG_0718.jpg