Urgent Issue Subframe removal to get to my gear box MAJOR ISSUE please help

[ozclio03]

Hi Guys

Hope someone can answer this I am 90% through removing my gearbox and now find that the one of the 2 rear brackets that join basically the sub frame to wards the middle of the car will not come off. 3 out of the 4 bolts just spin, and i dont see any way to get to the top of them, I read this before but it was no help

" sure someone told me that on occasion it has been known for the nut to spin inside the chassis when unbolting the frame form the chassis. simple clips retain the nut and that can break \ spin ? maybe i dreamt it ???"

there was no answer, does this mean I now need to go out the top or is there a simple way to fix this!


thanks guys

 

[Dan519]

you need to find a way to hold the nuts inside the body whilst undoing the bolts. Front ones aren't too bad (bit fiddly) but the rears are a massive pain

 

[MicKPM]

I find it's always the O/S rear captive bolt that spins and thankfully a midget length ring spanner just fits in the stupid gap. If you don't have one equip a grinder with a cutting disc and fetch the head off the bolt to allow you to fully drop the subframe. You can then get the remains of the fixings out once the subframe is out the way and renew them when refitting.

 

[ozclio03]

I Fixed it at 2am I used a large flat head screw driver wedgded into the bracket then with the rattle gun the bolt some how rattled off. Cheers for the help anyway

 

[MicKPM]

Good result then mate... Bloody horrible things those subframe bolts.

 

[simoore]

You can actually take the gearbox out from the top by dropping the subframe on the LH side and removing the exhaust manifold so the engine pivots on the RH top mount. This is how i do it with the rally car and its easier. Remember to get a wheel alignment check done if you have removed the subframe completely as it will change.

Simon

 

[ozclio03]

So one of the brackets that join the subframe to the middle of the car is missing a bolt or two, is this an issue? do these brackets even really do anything?

 

[Budgie]

The bracket that mounts to the front wishbone bolt?

For info, you can get the box out the top. Much easier than removing the subframe. I don't even remove the exhaust mani when doing it.

 

[mgoode180566]

i ripped the motor out with the box on it. did the belts at the same time for the price of a beer

 

[ozclio03]

The bracket that mounts to the front wishbone bolt?

For info, you can get the box out the top. Much easier than removing the subframe. I don't even remove the exhaust mani when doing it.

Really ? box can come out with out engine from the top? 1st I have heard of this! love the Fail sport avatar too

 

[Budgie]

Yep- wrote a little guide here.

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?654503-Removing-gearbox-from-the-top-guide

 

[ozclio03]

Good work Budgie, will try this way when my LSD is rebuilt and if you dont mind I will post up your notes on http://www.ozrenaultsport.com/ cause us guys need all the help we can get!