1g awd subframe removal

[93AWDDSM]

found out the problem, my sub frame is ripped apart so that is why my tire was pushed back and it also looked like my lower control arm was messed up, i was wondering do i have to remove the tranny to remove the whole subframe so i can replace it?

 

[99gst_racer]

Ouch!

Yes, you can remove the subframe with the tranny in place.

 

[93AWDDSM]

ok, and one more question. anything that would really complicate this being taken off? like steering rack? or is it pretty easy

thanks

 

[ramsack]

Nope, you can keep the motor and transmission in the car.

Bolts you need to undo:

1. Control arm through bolts (front of control arm)
2. Control arm bushing bolts (rear of control arm)
3. Rear engine mount/roll stop (1 bolt that goes through)
4. Steering rack u-joint
5. Power steering lines
6. Tie rod ends from the knuckles
7. Frnot engine mount/roll stop (1 bolt that goes through)
8. Both crossmembers
9. Transfer case.
10. Exhaust
11. Ball joints

I find it easier to drop the control arms with the crossmember, but that's just because any time I did so I was doing bushings anyway, so that would negate the first on the list. That's crazy that the sub frame broke like that. Is it rusted through?

 

[93AWDDSM]

ok thanks for the tips. nope not rusted i was driving on icy roads about a week ago and slid into a ice snow bank going about 20mph and then noticed that the passenger tire was leaning towards the back of the car, well got under today and saw a gnarly tear up the side of subframe hah.

 

[awdgocart]

sucks to see that but it should be a simple fix I would replace the control arms to be on the safe side also

 

[islideawd]

damb that sucks i would replace that subframe dont try and weld it its high strength steel (HSS) it will just weaken it more and crack again. i would change the lower control arm and tie rod then get it on a alignment rack and hopefully you wont have to see a frame rack, do a point to point measurements just to see if its tweaked the frame at all. good luck with the fix.

 

[ramsack]

Control arms are made to bend or break before anything else, too, so I would just get a different one.

 

[93AWDDSM]

I got a quick question again, the Sub frame i am going to be replacing, I found some on DSMgraveyard, but would it be considered the "rear subframe center section"? the part i need is where the stabilizer bar and power steering hook onto.

 

[ramsack]

The rear sub-frame would be an AWD rear where the differential bolts to. I don't know why they even bother listing parts on their web site like an inventory. It's so mismanaged. I would just call and ask if they have the front sub-frame. It would probably be much cheaper to pull one yourself from a junk yard than to have something like that shipped. It's not THAT heavy but it is large and heavy and will cost as much or more to ship it as it would cost from a junk yard where you pull the parts yourself.