Front Sub Frame Mounting Question

[DavidBrough]

Hi Guys, I am in the middle of replacing my front sub frame mountings and would appreciate some advice before I attack things with the air chisel. I have removed the top half of the old mounting as it was so bad it split in two when I lowered the sub frame. At the moment, I am left with the bottom half of the old mount stuck in the cup on the top of the sub frame very reluctant to move despite significant persuasion to the contrary. The centre and other four bolts are all removed and as far as I can see there are no other fastenings holding what is left of the mounting to the sub frame. I have suspended action for the day but before I resume with the air chisel it would be nice to know that the mounting does just sit in the top of the sub frame and that I only have corrosion to deal with and not a missed fastener. Is anyone able to confirm or deny my assumption. Thanks.

[ja17]

Hello David,

Bob Possel just went through the procedure, which is still probably fresh in his mind. Maybe he can comment here. I do one side at a time and use a long pry bar to create enough space for the mount to reluctanly slip out. Those five fasteners are all of them. I assume you have disconnected the sway bar, shocks, brake caliper etc?

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[bpossel]

Hi David (Hi Joe),

Funny, I was just about to reply to this one...
David, see this post and then let me (this site) know what questions you have...

http://index.php?topic=4191,frame

Bob


bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[DavidBrough]

Hi Bob, Thanks for the help, I had read your excellent original post which is what made me investigate the condition of my mounts and start the job. At this stage, everything is removed including the engine (another story) and I have lots of space to remove the old mounting. The problem I have is that the base of the old mount is stuck in the cup on top of the sub frame and I am not sure how much force is safe to use or if I have missed something in the way the mounting is held to the sub frame. The old mount was so bad it fell in two when I came to remove it and the top half is now in the bin. I thought it was best to check before I broke out the big hammers and air chisel. I did try to up load a pic (210kb jpeg) but can't seem to do it. Hope my question makes sense.

[bpossel]

Hello David,

Based on your comments, I would say that it's stuck in place with a bit of old rust and dirt and just needs to be hammered on a bit to help it free up.  Nothing else holds these guys in lace except the bolts, which you have already removed.

Keep us posted.

Bob


bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[DavidBrough]

Thanks Bob, you were right, after some serious effort with a big hammer and air chisel it came out. Thankfully the other side was much easier, why didn’t I do that one first! I think that the first one was so worn that water had corroded the base onto the sub frame which almost welded the parts together. Still, I now have two new sub frame mounts; all I need now is my engine back. Thanks again.