DLF's subframe bushings test fit

[driller]

I was asked by Doug to test fit his new UHMW sub-frame bushings since I had bought a set and just so happened to have a spare rear sub-frame laying around, I agreed to test fit the bushings to confirm the fit.

So I arrived at the undisclosed secret test facility which has hosted much of the prior work on the Blue Flame. I took the fork lift and recovered the donor subframe from safe storage.

Unwrapping the time capsule revealed a near pristine rear subframe complete rotor to rotor.

Here is a pic of the OEM rear rubber subframe bushing.

Doug graciously loaned me his removal tool which is a bridge type puller which you use to remove the rubber bushing from the subframe.

Once the rubber bushing is removed you are left with the opening in the subframe ready for the new bushing.

The upper part of the new bushing...

... and the lower half...

Note the small gap between the two halves which will allow a slight compression when installed.

Now on to the front mount. Here again the removal tool is installed to remove the stock rubber bushing.

Wala, the bushing has been extricated.

The bottom half of the new UHMW bushing in place...

Once again notice the slight gap when installed.

And the upper half of the bushing in place...

Repeat for the other side and you are ready to bolt the subframe back into place.

Thanks to DLF for his time and effort to make these replacement parts available. You can see his parts for sale in the parts for sale forum.

 

[kustomizingkid]

DLF is the man!!!

I want...

Will buy

 

[AbrahamLincoln]

I need to replace mine, someone make polys? Worry free launches ftw!

 

[Staffamerica74]

DLF's are the best you can get, pricy but well worth it.

 

[DLF]

I need to replace mine, someone make polys? Worry free launches ftw!

DLF's are the best you can get, pricy but well worth it.

Unfortunately, as with the IRS LCA bushings, stock replacements are no longer available, so my UHMW IRS Sub-Frame Mounts are the only replacements/upgrades that you can get.

 

[phreakness]

So you have to drop the IRS to install?

 

[DLF]

So you have to drop the IRS to install?

Yes.

However, if you still have air bags, it's quite simple (assuming that you can get the bolts out). Disconnect the driveshaft, the ABS sensors, deflate/detach the air bags, and drop it down.

A little more complicated in a car with springs, as the springs have to be removed and later re-installed, and to do that, you have to remove the half-shaft nuts and press the half-shafts out of the knuckles a bit to be able to drop the LCA's down far enough to remove the springs.

 

[AbrahamLincoln]

dont know how far im gonna go with this markviii - a 98 lsc is tempting the :q:q:q:q out of me right now. Gen I is too Ugly!

 

[Angel12]

Do you know if they make sub frame bushings for the LS i need to replace the end bracket that has cracked..just a question

 

[97MarkJA]

That bushing removal tool looks just like the tool I used to remove the rubber cone suspension in my old austin mini before I switched it over to springs.

 

[DLF]

Do you know if they make sub frame bushings for the LS i need to replace the end bracket that has cracked..just a question

"They" in this case, is me, and I do not.

 

[Angel12]

ty