4200 Front Subframe

Matt82

Matt82

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222
With the cats, and roll bar etc. removed for the oil pump exchange, I decided now would be a good time to swap the rusty front subframe for the rust free replacement I bought a while ago.

Roll bar, cats, all lambda sensors, temp sensors and fan connectors unclipped.
Shocks unbolted from strut tops, track rods removed and steering rack unbolted from subframe.
Engine crane put in place and mounts unbolted, then the subframe mount bolts where removed and the subframe lowered using jacks onto a pallet, with wishbones/hubs etc. still attached.

Thought it would be easier to strip down the wishbones off the car, glad I did as the drivers side lower wishbone bushes where completely rotten solid to the subframe.
Passenger side looks to have had new bushes relatively recently, drivers side lowers will need replacement (when I can get the old ones out!)

Few pics below, does anyone want the old subframe or shall I weigh it in?
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zagatoes30

zagatoes30

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20,947
Nice job, big but pretty straight forward. I have plans to drop the Fulvia subframe and engine out over winter to clean protect and replace all the bushes
 
midlifecrisis

midlifecrisis

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16,233
If your in the Dorset area, I can recommend (in-Dorset! get it?) Tricketts in Poole area. They do all of Emblems welding work and they are very competent at repairing stuff like this. Trust me they've seen worse (an R4 that was more rust than Renault).

I wouldn't bin it but get it repaired properly as it will serve the next person with a 4200/GS. They will become rarer and rarer.
 
Mr S

Mr S

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821
I also have a front subframe that needs abit of a repair on the RH side Engine mount. Can anyone recommend somewhere near Silverstone that has done previous work like that?
 
philw696

philw696

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25,476
Mr S said:
I also have a front subframe that needs abit of a repair on the RH side Engine mount. Can anyone recommend somewhere near Silverstone that has done previous work like that?
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Keys Motorsport on the Circuit must have a specialist welder looking after the cars they do.
 
hladun

hladun

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149
Matt82, that's a lot of corrosion, what's the mileage on the car and was it used as a daily driver in winter conditions?
 
Matt82

Matt82

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222
midlifecrisis said:
If your in the Dorset area, I can recommend (in-Dorset! get it?) Tricketts in Poole area. They do all of Emblems welding work and they are very competent at repairing stuff like this. Trust me they've seen worse (an R4 that was more rust than Renault).

I wouldn't bin it but get it repaired properly as it will serve the next person with a 4200/GS. They will become rarer and rarer.
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Thanks, yes I’d prefer not to bin it. I’m not near Dorset, but I do travel past it from time to time, so I’ll keep them in mind.
 
Matt82

Matt82

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222
Oneball said:
That reminds me of playing with old Minis, you’d have thought car companies you’d have got things right by now!
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Funnily enough, I still do that too!
You can just make out the 1275 lump behing the new subframe in the last photo above.
 
T

TimR

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Messages
2,731
Thanks for posting. I sense your car has had a harder life than not. Not to diminish the issues of subframe rot, or the problem of oil water pump spline corrosion, which would be clearly indicated buy the suggested number of units sold from the stock of spares in the last ten years or so...Or perhaps the owners were simply not very sympathetic. Im certain cars farmed to dealers for "by the book' servicing actually really only get the bare minimum...or more accurately, there isnt much wriggle room for going above and beyond when the cars get looked at by professionals who could do more if they were allowed to.
That subframe is toast. And your pump splines have suffered the same fate. I think people the idea it was used as boat in a past life may have some merit...
Anyway, good effort. These parts arent readily available. It is increasingly the case with these cars.
Hopefully you were aware of the issues before you paid for the car....so its not too big a disappointment !
 
Matt82

Matt82

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Messages
222
hladun said:
Matt82, that's a lot of corrosion, what's the mileage on the car and was it used as a daily driver in winter conditions?
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It’s just **** metal on the subframe, the chassis is perfect behind.
I’ve waxoiled the chassis facing side of the new one before bolting it up, and I’ll doing the same to the road facing side, once it’s had an MOT. That way they can check it and remove the ‘rusty front subframe’ advisory.
 
Matt82

Matt82

Member
Messages
222
TimR said:
Thanks for posting. I sense your car has had a harder life than not. Not to diminish the issues of subframe rot, or the problem of oil water pump spline corrosion, which would be clearly indicated buy the suggested number of units sold from the stock of spares in the last ten years or so...Or perhaps the owners were simply not very sympathetic. Im certain cars farmed to dealers for "by the book' servicing actually really only get the bare minimum...or more accurately, there isnt much wriggle room for going above and beyond when the cars get looked at by professionals who could do more if they were allowed to.
That subframe is toast. And your pump splines have suffered the same fate. I think people the idea it was used as boat in a past life may have some merit...
Anyway, good effort. These parts arent readily available. It is increasingly the case with these cars.
Hopefully you were aware of the issues before you paid for the car....so its not too big a disappointment !
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Totally agree, I think the standard of care cars receive from certain dealers is rubbish and there’s a perception from some owners (not just of Masers, but all brands) that because the cars is not from the 70s it won’t rust, or they change cars so regularly that it won’t be their problem when it does.
I’ve not doubt that if this car was maintained by a decent specialist through its life, they would have picked up on the frilly power coat on the subframe and addressed it before the rot set in.

I get a little annoyed, as I did when buying a car recently, when people (especially dealers) claim Full Service History! Then when you look through the paperwork, it’s had an oil change each year and that’s it. I said to a dealer when buying an Alfa for the missus a few months ago, does the history match the items required to be done in the service schedule? he looked at me like I had two heads.
 
philw696

philw696

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25,476
Over 40 years on the spanners there's not a lot I don't notice.
Loving seeing what you're doing the old school way as for the first time in my home workshop I have just installed two lifts but have two of my cars on axle stands still.
 
Matt82

Matt82

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Messages
222
philw696 said:
Over 40 years on the spanners there's not a lot I don't notice.
Loving seeing what you're doing the old school way as for the first time in my home workshop I have just installed two lifts but have two of my cars on axle stands still.
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The space and facilities you’re putting together look great. It’ll be a lovely place to work, once you get used to not rolling around on your back!
 
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