Replacing front subframe

[hsv-001]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this on the forum before but there seems to be a lot of projects right now so I thought I'd put  an old idea out there .When replacing front subframes it is sometimes difficult to get the 4  bolts back through[with the step catching on the way through] so what I do is buy a couple of spare nuts for each bolt ,then weld them together  [2 for each bolt ] then fill one end with weld and screw it back on the bolt and sharpen it with the grinder. Now you can use a hammer to put the bolt in then remove the sharpened end and put the original nut back on . Put these bullets in the drawer ,someone may use them one day. Cheers Haydn

[mickrat]

Could have done with that handy hint two weeks ago. Bolted up front subframe to donor floor before welding in place when I removed the subframe all was good everybolt hole lined up. Sent the subframe to the powder coasters. When I went to refit the subframe nothing would line up. I suppose the heat from the oven distorted everything had to use heavy duty ratchet straps to pull every thing back in place. And boy did I have a hard time getting the bolts through. Another trick for next time.   Thanks  mate. Mickrat. Tassy

[FC Dave]

Great tip HSV. Mine fell into place ok. I did ratchet strap them together & bolts went in. I may have been lucky.

[ardiesse]

I had the machine-shop at work do a little job for the "Department of Foreign Affairs" - subframe bolt-bullets.

Mild steel round bar, about an inch long, turned down to the external diameter of the subframe bolts (3/8 and 7/16 from memory) and gently tapered towards the end, internally drilled and tapped 5/16 UNF x 5/8 deep.  If I was making a new set today, I'd make the 7/16 dia bolt-bullet longer, and put a screwdriver-slot in the end to make it easier to uncrew the bullet from the bolt once the bolt was driven into place in the outer subframe leg.

I used them first on an HD I did up, and for my FC.  They work an absolute treat.

Rob

[old-blu]

   Grind the leading edge down to give a 45 degree angle, spray both the bolt & the hole with Inox or WD40 & gently tap the bolt home.  Support the front tie member to take load off the bolts. Have done plenty this way with no dramas.   Cheers old-blu.

[fe350chev]

great tips guys,