Rear subframe bushing/isoloator availability

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2000LS6

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The rear subframe of the LS is isolated from the body by 4 large rubber bushings (or isolators). My LS could use new bushings. Can these bushings be changed and if so are they available? Part Number? I could not find these bushings at any online site.

The entire subframe (including bushings) is close to $2000.

I read these bushings were improved for the second gen.
 
Dude! I've been trying to replace/find something like this for almost a year now and I got the same answer you did 2000+ for the whole sub frame. What problems/symptoms are you having?
 
Subframe is very "loose" due to worn or damaged bushings/isolators. On hard acceleration from a standstill the front on the subframe will contact the body due to application of torque resulting in a loud knock. This symptom my not be evident in automatic trans vehicles since the torque converter absorbs the initial torque application but on a manual transmission equipped vehicle the symptom can be evoked with a quick movement of the clutch pedal.

There is a reason these bushing were changed for the 2nd gen.

If I can't buy these bushings I will fabricate something to resolve this problem.
 
Subframe is very "loose" due to worn or damaged bushings/isolators. On hard acceleration from a standstill the front on the subframe will contact the body due to application of torque resulting in a loud knock. This symptom my not be evident in automatic trans vehicles since the torque converter absorbs the initial torque application but on a manual transmission equipped vehicle the symptom can be evoked with a quick movement of the clutch pedal.

There is a reason these bushing were changed for the 2nd gen.

If I can't buy these bushings I will fabricate something to resolve this problem.
 
just confirmed with knowledgeable dealer that the rear subframe bushings are not available separately...must buy entire subframe. so when a common wear item reaches the end of its useful life you have to pay around 2k and spend an entire day replacing a subframe. this is ridiculous but not surprising.
 
2000LS6 said:
just confirmed with knowledgeable dealer that the rear subframe bushings are not available separately...must buy entire subframe. so when a common wear item reaches the end of its useful life you have to pay around 2k and spend an entire day replacing a subframe. this is ridiculous but not surprising.
Click to expand...

What did you end up doing with your issue? I had this come up over the past couple of weeks and found the problem with a pry-bar, after suspecting control arm bushings. It was really bad. I took the bolt out and the inner metal pieces just kept falling out of the hole. What a bad design. This could easily be a recall item. It is extremely safety related, as your entire back suspension could fall off.

I bought an 04 LS rear subframe with complete suspension intact to repair my problem, with the reportedly upgraded bushings noted above being used on Generation 2 LS. I needed lower control arms anyway, with those bushings being in pretty bad shape, so I get much more for my money and actually things I need along with that. $500 shipped from MN to NH.

In the mean time, I could not even hold mine back in with the bolt after taking the bolt out, since all of the internal metal structure, as well as the part that the bolt snugs against, fell out. I had to improvise with a couple of lolly column plates packed together over the entire assembly to get the car back on the road, semi-safely.
 
Copy-able bushings/mounts

I have a front subframe, and although it's snowed-in at present, I believe the isolators are on it. Does anyone know if the fronts and rears are the same? I'll likely try to make new ones out of delrin or perhaps cast some from polyurethane. But I'll need something to copy!

KS
 
cammerfe said:
I have a front subframe, and although it's snowed-in at present, I believe the isolators are on it. Does anyone know if the fronts and rears are the same? I'll likely try to make new ones out of delrin or perhaps cast some from polyurethane. But I'll need something to copy!

KS
Click to expand...

Delrin as a bushing material?
 
As a temporary fix, i sandwiched apolyurethane pad with a hole in it between the body and the subframe to eliminate the metal to metal contact. These pads are place and the subframe mounting points.

Hard to be loyal to ford when they manufacture crap like this subframe and don't stand behind their product.
 
Alternative to factory

I replaced the front suspension on my '63 F-100 with the front subframe from a '80s Plymouth Volare. It, too, is designed to bolt in with four large bolts. In order to mount it, I welded ears on the truck frame and made bolts from stainless all-thread and locknuts. I used hockey pucks as pads, cutting central holes by using a piece of sharpened electrical thinwall conduit.

It worked for me, but I didn't think, at the time about the use of a chunk of polyurethane which might well be even better.

KS
 
Alternative to factory

I replaced the front suspension on my '63 F-100 with the front subframe from a '80s Plymouth Volare. It, too, is designed to bolt in with four large bolts. In order to mount it, I welded ears on the truck frame and made bolts from stainless all-thread and locknuts. I used hockey pucks as pads, cutting central holes by using a piece of sharpened electrical thinwall conduit.

It worked for me, but I didn't think, at the time about the use of a chunk of polyurethane which might well be even better. The internal steel bushing is readily made from heavy-wall steel tubing.

KS
 
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