Gregor
07-04-2009, 03:06 PM
I am 30% into a rear subframe replacement. So far I am up to 46 spot welds drilled, 3 Sawall blades and 10 hours worth of work. I thought of back halfing my car but in the end it isn't cost effective for what I intend to do with this Mustang. The hardest part of this was leveling out the car and taking notes on measurements. I found a drawing by FoMoCo with all the alignment points including the datum and tram lines. that print helped me out alot. But I found that my car is about 1/16 of a inch off in some points. remarked the "drawing" as correction and drove on with the project. Life would be so much easier if I owned frame jig, instead of 6 jackstands.
Things that i found out.
1) Aftermaket sheetmetal sucks.
2) And I need to buy a few more locking pliers.
3) PB blaster is a horrible penetrating fluid but a awesome cutting fluid.
4) Spot welds dull out a bit in no time. Irwin makes great drill bits.( I bought the turbo bits).
5) A air hammer is your friend and your enemy all at the same time.
6) A body dolly and hammer is a must, after the air hammer has done its damage.
The rot was bad on the driverside framerail. Rotted in 6 places with 3 of them infront of the leaf spring shackle mount and 3 behind the rail. This was long time coming and need to be done. One good launch and the rail would have been though the trunk pan.
Pictures later.
Things that i found out.
1) Aftermaket sheetmetal sucks.
2) And I need to buy a few more locking pliers.
3) PB blaster is a horrible penetrating fluid but a awesome cutting fluid.
4) Spot welds dull out a bit in no time. Irwin makes great drill bits.( I bought the turbo bits).
5) A air hammer is your friend and your enemy all at the same time.
6) A body dolly and hammer is a must, after the air hammer has done its damage.
The rot was bad on the driverside framerail. Rotted in 6 places with 3 of them infront of the leaf spring shackle mount and 3 behind the rail. This was long time coming and need to be done. One good launch and the rail would have been though the trunk pan.
Pictures later.