Replacing Subframe

[Quarryman 1]

The front subframe on my 205 is pretty rusted.

 

Tricky to source a replacement?

How much would it cost?

Big job to do?

[swordfish210 20]

I'm sure someone on here will be able to sell you a subframe, you could spend a bit of time seam welding it if you're intending to do trackdays in the future as this will add a bit of strength to it.

 

It's not a big job really, an ametur mechanic can do it on his driveway in a few hours.

[SurGie 54]

Use a lot of WD40/freeze spray, as the bolts can seize and as you try to undo them the inner attachment can break.

[jackherer 543]

When you come to refit the wishbones to the new subframe make sure you tighten them at ride height otherwise they twist when you lower the car back onto its wheels. Also the gear oil will leak when you remove the passenger side driveshaft so drain it first. Other than that its just a few bolts really.

 

Its unusual in my experience for a 205 subframe to rust, I've seen it on other Peugeots/Citroens such as 406s and Xantias but never on 205s. Is there any sign of past crash damage or damage due to careless jacking?

[Quarryman 1]

Its unusual in my experience for a 205 subframe to rust, I've seen it on other Peugeots/Citroens such as 406s and Xantias but never on 205s. Is there any sign of past crash damage or damage due to careless jacking?

 

Judge for yourself, but i reckon it needs to go, not sure though, waiting on a second opinion.

 

http://twitpic.com/o5uoy

http://twitpic.com/o5une

http://twitpic.com/o5umo

 

another one, this is the very middle of the subframe:

Edited November 10, 2009 by Quarryman

[jackherer 543]

 

I have never seen one even vaguely like that!

 

At least you will find getting a replacement easy as nobody else needs a new one

 

What is the rest of the car like?

[Quarryman 1]

What is the rest of the car like?

 

pretty good actually! That's why i'm investigating replacing the subframe.

[jackherer 543]

Given how bad it is I would be very careful undoing the 6 bolts that hold it to the shell. The rear four go into captive nuts (two flat bars with two threaded holes each actually) mounted in the drivers and passengers footwells under the carpet so it might be worth lifting the carpet while undoing them to clean them up and make sure they don't move, they are only held by small metal tabs. The other two bolts are in the wheelarches and the captive nuts are hard to replace if they become dislodged or damaged so be very careful there.

[Quarryman 1]

Given how bad it is I would be very careful undoing the 6 bolts that hold it to the shell. The rear four go into captive nuts (two flat bars with two threaded holes each actually) mounted in the drivers and passengers footwells under the carpet so it might be worth lifting the carpet while undoing them to clean them up and make sure they don't move, they are only held by small metal tabs. The other two bolts are in the wheelarches and the captive nuts are hard to replace if they become dislodged or damaged so be very careful there.

 

 

ok thanks. It won't be me doing the work but i just wanted to get an idea of what is required.

[Super Josh 4]

Its unusual in my experience for a 205 subframe to rust,

 

That's because they are usually covered in copious quantities of oil

 

 

Josh

[jackherer 543]

ok thanks. It won't be me doing the work but i just wanted to get an idea of what is required.

 

Make sure whoever does the work knows about the captive bolts, it can be a bit of a pain to sort out...

 

That's because they are usually covered in copious quantities of oil

 

 

Josh

 

Haha I think you've probably hit the nail on the head there

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

The other two bolts are in the wheelarches and the captive nuts are hard to replace if they become dislodged or damaged so be very careful there.

 

Actually easy as piss to replace, just slot in some new ones when the subframe is off and your away, will have a bit of a rattle from the old one but hey ho!

[jackherer 543]

Actually easy as piss to replace, just slot in some new ones when the subframe is off and your away, will have a bit of a rattle from the old one but hey ho!

 

OK its hard to do it properly

[Anthony 1,002]

OK its hard to do it properly

What other way is there of doing it though, realistically?

 

One of the chassis leg captive nuts on mine is no longer captive, with the bolt unscrewed a few millimeters, and I'm scratching my head at any way to fix it besides what Ed has said. I've been putting off fixing it for the past 2-3 years, instead leaving the subframe attached by five bolts, but given that the rest of the front suspension/steering is needing an overhall, I really ought to get around to fixing it....

 

Obviously if there is a way of doing it without leaving half a bolt rattling around in the chassis leg, and not involving chopping said chassis leg, then I'm all ears...

[jackherer 543]

I'm pretty sure it has to involve cutting and welding. If I was going to leave one in there I'd at least try to fix it in place to one side of the hole with some sikaflex or similar.

 

A while ago I was in the same position as you, trying to work out what to do with one spinning subframe bolt on my mates car (wizeks old miami 205) but luckily he drove it into a tyrewall so I just reshelled it (I couldn't get the bolt undone incidentally, however the subframe was mangled so I just cut it off in the end)

[EdCherry 34 1 Cars]

if you open up the rear hole just enough you will be able to get the old captive out, after all it got in there just will take time and alot of patiences + small pair of long nose pliers.

[chris 417 mi 34 2 Cars]

One of the chassis leg captive nuts on mine is no longer captive, with the bolt unscrewed a few millimeters, and I'm scratching my head at any way to fix it besides what Ed has said. I've been putting off fixing it for the past 2-3 years, instead leaving the subframe attached by five bolts, but given that the rest of the front suspension/steering is needing an overhall, I really ought to get around to fixing it....

 

Mine has done this, only the bolt was also stuck in it too. Pulled bolt tight so the maximum was on show and cut it off with a grinder, then just sat with a pair of pliers and managed to pull the remaining part out. Now have new captive nuts in place

[philfingers 5]

to give you an idea the last twio subframes i sold on ebay were rust free and straight and sold for 99p each! they don't usuallly rust (leaking engine and box oil see's to that)

 

Phil