mishu 0 Posted August 29, 2006 As the refurb of the front subframe / rear beam seems to be going well, I'm trying to learn more about the next stage. I plan to take the rear beam and front subframe off the base model and put the refurbed GTi ones on, while keeping the base model hubs. From what I've been told here they fit, but I was wondering how difficult it will be to take the hubs off the current beam (they look pretty seized on -- haven't touched them yet tho). What will I have to replace (wheel bearings?) Also, will I have to open/break any of the brake hoses? I'd like to keep the setup untouched (because I don't trust myself to play with the brakes..) Finally, I've noticed that the front subframe I'm refurbing (read sandblasting/painting) is welded. That's normal, right? It's not been in an accident and welded back Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted August 29, 2006 the hubs are part of the drums so no need to change them, just undo the big nut and it slides off the stub axle as one complete unit, as for the brakes I'd guess they'd be identical anyway (if theyre 1.6 gti ones) so theyre wouldnt be any need to swap them over, just undo the hose union and swap it into the back of the new beam's brakes and unhook the handbrake cables while you're dropping off the old beam and hook up the new ones (if theyre intact...) if its a 1.9 then leave the hubs on and run rear discs as the stub axles are different. though you will have to change the handbrake cables and modify the brakepipes. yuore gonna have to work on the brakes whatever you do though, but its all straightforward stuff and you cant go wrong unless your a complete nutter/retard lol! as for the subframe, unless theres any weld in an unusual area its ok (but hwo else would pug make them, gloo it lol) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mishu 0 Posted August 29, 2006 The beam/subframe are coming off a 1.6 GTi, sorry for not mentioning that. It's very good news that I don't have to change any brake hosing, because I really feared touching the brakes (Glad to hear the operation is a 'dry' one). I noticed that the mounts for the brake hoses can be detached (from the rear beam). As for the handbrake cable, I'll probably change it, since it's been coming out of it's holding clip and and is all scratched/exposed. yuore gonna have to work on the brakes whatever you do though, but its all straightforward stuff and you cant go wrong unless your a complete nutter/retard lol! By 'work on the brakes' you mean just put the brake mounts on the new rear beam and plug in the handbrake cable once the beam is back up, right? Sorry I'm being anal about the details, but I want to make sure this is the right procedure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
