Engine Bed and Bush Replacement
- Jan 12th. 2015
- By mapw
In preparation for replacing the engine bed bushes and front anti roll bar bushes a second engine bed was sourced. I decided to prepare another engine bed with the uprated polyurethane bed bushes and then swap the beds over, rather than to fit the new bushes to the current subframe already fitted to the car. It also meant the replacement subframe could be painted first before being fitted to the car, as the subframes are subject to surface corrosion. Preparing a second subframe will make the whole process easier, rather than having to remove and then paint the current subframe fitted to the car.
The new subframe will be cleaned up, the areas of rust removed, treated with a rust neutraliser, primed with a zinc primer (given several coats) and finally painted with a rust-proof metal paint, again given several coats. Then the uprated subframe bushes can be fitted to the new subframe.
The existing subframe will then be removed from the car, the front anti roll bar (with new uprated anti roll bar bushes), uprated rear engine mount, wishbones and power steering rack will be transferred across to the new subframe which will be fitted onto the car. At the same time a PAS fluid change will be carried out.
So to begin, one engine bed after a quick clean up and degrease to get rid of the worst of the grime, and with the original subframe bushes and wishbones removed:
Engine Subframe
Engine Subframe
So the next stage was to strip it back and remove the main areas of surface rust, after which the subframe was treated with an anti-rust neutraliser to give a stable sound bonded surface, followed by zinc priming in preparation for the top coat.
The final stage was to paint the subframe with a metal protection paint to give it an OE look.
Finished Subframe
Finished Subframe
During preparation, priming and painting particular attention was paid to the areas that are most susceptible to corrosion, mainly the areas where the subframe has been welded.
And with the uprated bushes fitted.
Astra Subframe with Uprated Polyurethane Bushes Fitted
Just the the swap over to do.
12/01/2015
The original subframe was removed from the car and the front wishbones, front anti roll bar and power steering rack were swapped over onto the new subframe with the uprated black series Powerflex bushes which was then refitted onto the car.
At the same time the factory anti roll bar bushes were replaced with Powerflex black series uprated anti roll bar bushes and the power steering fluid was replaced with new Pentosin CHF 202 fluid, as it had most likely been in use since day one.
The exposed captive nuts and subframe bolts were treated to some AL1100 anti-seize spray when refitted, as it is not uncommon for the bolts to seize in. This is especially common due to corrosion from winter salt, which fortunately the car does not get exposed to. Additionally the exposed areas of the chassis were treated with Waxoyl underseal.
Underside
Underside
