Subframe bolts

[hipwell]

Hey guys.

I'm going to do my clutch at the weekend and am going to lower the subframe to go live better access rather than strip the bay out completely and try doing it from the top.

I'm assuming that the captive nuts will spin.

What's the best tool to get in there with and what size will I need?

I know it's a case of snapping the cage off and holding the nut with either a spanner or socket and I'd rather buy the right tools tonight before I crack on.

Swan neck spanner fit in there? If so what size?

Socket and rachet fit in there? If so, deep socket required?

Are the front and rear bolts both the same size?

 

[JamesBryan]

18mm for the bolt head and 16mm for the nut i think.

Swan neck spanner will do it.

 

[hipwell]

18mm for the bolt head and 16mm for the nut i think.

Swan neck spanner will do it.

Cheers dude.

All 4 inners the same size? I thought I'd ready somewhere that the rears were a different size nut

 

[JamesBryan]

Cheers dude.

All 4 inners the same size? I thought I'd ready somewhere that the rears were a different size nut

It's been about 4 years since i've done one, so i can't remember but yeah the rears are different.

You can't actually access the nuts on the rear ones iirc.

 

[JamesBryan]

Scrap that, you can access the rears. They're 18mm.

Just done a few searches.

 

[hipwell]

Scrap that, you can access the rears. They're 18mm.

Just done a few searches.

Nice 1 cheers.

I think I've read every subframe thread on the forum but got conflicting answers.

So we recon I'm gonna need a 16mm and 18mm swan neck spanner then.

 

[bozothenutter]

use sockets?

 

[JamesBryan]

Nice 1 cheers.

I think I've read every subframe thread on the forum but got conflicting answers.

So we recon I'm gonna need a 16mm and 18mm swan neck spanner then.

Yeah.

An impact gun would be ideal to undo the bolts as the shock is a lot less of a force than a constant turning force by hand.

 

[JB21]

Just spray them up with something like PB blaster for a couple of days and they shouldn't spin then.

 

[hipwell]

use sockets?

I don't think a socket will fit in the access hole will it?

Yeh I've got an impact gun, I'll give it a shot. Lubed up the rears a few days ago, I'll do them again tonight.

Can't get to the fronts without taking the bumper though so I'll make that my first job on the stripdown.

 

[Usr117063]

I used a spanner socket attachment with a 3/8 deep socket for the front 2, quick and easy with a gun. I use these a lot as well very handy

SILVERLINE RATCHET SPANNER ADAPTOR SET GEARED WRENCH BIT SOCKET GUARANTEED NEW 5024763087455 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for SILVERLINE RATCHET SPANNER ADAPTOR SET GEARED WRENCH BIT SOCKET GUARANTEED NEW at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

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[hipwell]

I used a spanner socket attachment with a 3/8 deep socket for the front 2, quick and easy with a gun. I use these a lot as well very handy

SILVERLINE RATCHET SPANNER ADAPTOR SET GEARED WRENCH BIT SOCKET GUARANTEED NEW 5024763087455 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for SILVERLINE RATCHET SPANNER ADAPTOR SET GEARED WRENCH BIT SOCKET GUARANTEED NEW at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Those look perfect for the task, can't bloody find anywhere that stocks them locally, I wonder if Amazon delivery works the bank holiday!?

 

[bozothenutter]

did the gearbox three weeks ago, used a standard 1/2 socket set, no issues whatsoever accessing the bolts.

 

[bloke]

Open ended spanner for the rear ones and swan neck for the front. If they do spin pop the captive strip out otherwise you won't get a spanner on properly.

 

[Djw John]

Yeah I use a spark plug socket for the top of the fronts with a spanner holding it in place since that's how it's designed.

 

[hipwell]

Well it's not going well lol .

Undid ball joints etc.

Managed to loosen all 4 subframe bolts, all the clips broke lol. But then they got stuck to a point where it felt like they were going to break so I had to back off.

However, the subframe will not budge even with them all slackened.

I've undone the steering pinch bolt, and those support arms going to the wishbones, but still will not shift.

Is it stuck on at the rear with underseal?

 

[Usr117063]

The 17mm(?) nut for gearbox mount as well?

 

[hipwell]

Took all 3 gearbox mounts completely off lol

 

[bozothenutter]

Took all 3 gearbox mounts completely off lol

there are two gearbox mounts, the battery tray, and a lower one near the end, the last one is mounted to the subframe.
If you say 'all three' i'm assuming you're talking about the tripod below the battery tray?

 

[hipwell]

there are two gearbox mounts, the battery tray, and a lower one near the end, the last one is mounted to the subframe.
If you say 'all three' i'm assuming you're talking about the tripod below the battery tray?

Yeh I've removed the tripod under the top mount, top mount/battery tray, lower mount which attaches to the subframe, and the dog bone mount with the black bracket which it attached to.

 

[bozothenutter]

Steering rack from shaft?

 

[hipwell]

Steering rack from shaft?

Undone the pinch bolt at the universal joint

 

[Usr117063]

How much are they slackened by? I would get them all out personally. One of my rears seized and had to grind it off, cost like 13 odd quid for a new captive nut

 

[bloke]

the subframe will need a bit of persuading to get it to drop.

 

[hipwell]

the subframe will need a bit of persuading to get it to drop.

Sound, will persuade in the morning lol.

How much are they slackened by? I would get them all out personally. One of my rears seized and had to grind it off, cost like 13 odd quid for a new captive nut

Well they are all loose, box side almost completely out, but no movement whatsoever at the rear.

What nuts and bolts did you use? I'm thinking about just replacing the b******s anwyas incase I have to take the box out again.

Issue is I need the car for Wednesday lol

 

[Usr117063]

@hipwell the rear nut is 7703044201 the bolts were high tensile cap heads with thick washer, Im not sure of the length. Would be worthwile replacing them.

I used to work to deadlines on the clio as it was my only car! Made for a not so relaxing time when things went wrong :O

 

[hipwell]

Got the bolts undone, easy when I realised a ring spanner would fit lol.

Anyway, the bracket which goes between the wishbones and the chassis has had to be grinded off as the bolt was knackered.

Will it be safe to drive without this until I can sort a new one?

 

[bozothenutter]

@hipwell the rear nut is 7703044201 the bolts were high tensile cap heads with thick washer, Im not sure of the length. Would be worthwile replacing them.

I used to work to deadlines on the clio as it was my only car! Made for a not so relaxing time when things went wrong :O

Oh I feel ya there mate.....2hr jobs turning into day long struggle.....

 

[Usr117063]

yup will be okay. if you become a member here you can post in the wanted section for one.

 

[hipwell]

Done, what a pigging nightmare of a job lol.

Feels like a different car though with the new clutch, light as a feather

 

[Crybert]

Just done a control arm on an old avensis. Bloody hell. May aswell just grind everything to s**t. Old bolts are the worst!

Good luck mate