Need help with these stupid subframe connectors

So I just got some solid aluminum body mounts from Global West. I'm trying to put them in, and I figured I'd take out the connectors to fix them up. In case you guys don't remember, I got them a while ago. I believe they're from Competition Engineering. They're the bolt in kind. Basically, the holes weren't in the right places, so I could only get 2 of the 3 bolts on each side for the front spring mount, and what I want to do is file the holes a bit so I can get all three bolts in on each side.

So I've taken both bolts out of the spring perch on BOTH sides, and even loosened the bottom bolt on the shackle on BOTH sides, and the damn things won't move. I'm trying to take like a huge screwdriver or something of that sort and just pry the springs away from the body while I pull the connector out, but that's not working either.

What the hell is going on? I've got the jack stands on the little bits of frame rails that were actually stock, and the rear end is just hanging there, so I don't see how it's not just falling down. The only thing I can think of is that the driveshaft is keeping it from coming down. But I KNOW I didn't touch that when I was putting them in, so I just don't see how it's such a pain now???

Any tips/advice? Am I doing it completely wrong? I'm seriously considering putting everything back together and just going down to Global West tomorrow and getting their connectors. :mad:

Matt

Arent there THREE bolts on each perch?

That's what I'm sayin. The subframe connectors aren't the best quality, so I can only get two of the bolt holes on the connectors to line up with the frame and spring perch, so I'm trying to get the subframe connectors off and file the third hole a bit so I can get it to line up. Make sense?

The thing is, I decided to just leave them there for when I get Cal-Tracs and then I'd fix them. But as I'm trying to replace the body mounts, it looks like the passenger's side core support might be bent a bit or something. I just can't get the bolt to go through because there's a little bit of metal sticking through the hole keeping it from going through very much. I just gave up for the night because I've tried everything I can think of to straighten it out, but it's just not working.

I've got to get it done tomorrow because I've got work on Thursday at 6 am. :(

Matt

Ohh, I see what youre sayin now (I think), although some pics would help. If I were you, before I bought another set, I would either "adjust" those to make them fit, or fab up my own set (which is what I did). Maybe theyre pinched into place by the cars weight and/or flexing, if Im understanding you correctly. So if possible, you may try adjusting your lifting points?

This might be stupid but I will throw it out there. Are your shocks still bolted in?

This may seem dumb butt did you grind about a 1/4 inch from both edges of the ingle iron brace on your frame connectors by the sping perch?
http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/show_image.pl?bg=CCCCCC&image=http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/785000-785999/785612_70_full.jpg
Pic.show only one side done. Makes it easyer.

I did some clearancing on my CE connectors. All 3 bolts/side go in ok.

I clearanced mine too. +1 for an angle grinder.

Kev

Nope, no clearancing, but...

This might be stupid but I will throw it out there. Are your shocks still bolted in?

This may be the reason!!!

Gotta love being frustrated so much that you overlook the little things. :rolleyes:

I'll go try that and see if I can clearance the same area you guys did.

Matt

I too had to grind for clearence, the head of the spring mounting bolt was hard against the connector and would not allow the connectors (both) to move inboard enough for the three holes to align. The other problem I had was the passenger side connector would not insert far enough into the clip for the holes on that one to align. I had to shorten the front of the connector approximately 1/4" and bend the sides inward ever so slightly to get it to fit. I've just removed both connectors in order to install Caltracs and they came out easily. I should know by tonight if they go back together easy or hard.

That's part of the reason I don't feel like messing with them.I plan on getting Cal-Tracs soon. I finished putting in all the solid bushings, and I looked at the spring bushings and they're horrible, so I figure the new bushings that come with the Cal-Tracs will take care of that, so I'll just leave the connectors as-is until I get the Cal-Tracs.

But you gotta love when unexpected things pop up. Suddenly it looks like there's a hole in my radiator. It's leaking ever so slightly. Checked all the connections and the petcock, and they're all good with no signs of leakage. So there's more crap that needs to be fixed. :mad: :(

Matt

The sub-frame ,reinstallation went well, quite easy actually. I completed the CalTrac installation late yesterday as well. Warning, as mentioned above about CE sub-frame connector clearence, if you intend to use the upper force transfering link attachment to front pivot hole, you will probably have to remove some material in the same area for the link attachment bolt/nut to clear. This is not an issue if you use the lower hole.

I'm using 5 leaf Performance Suspension springs, they were on the car when I bought it. I thought I'd try them out before switching to Clavert split mono's, comments? Still haven't decided on shocks yet, comments?