Front and rear subframe swap

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Keke
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Front and rear subframe swap

Post by Keke »

I've got a pair of sub frames, and I've eccepted I don't have time or the tools to fit myself . I've been quoted a full days labour, does this sound about right?
Thanks in advance

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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by Neilparry »

Yes and more


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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by Conan »

Sounds very fair to me :thumleft: as you just don't know how many difficult bolts you're going to come across
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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by Boston Rotary »

I think more but fingers crossed
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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by ChrisHolmes »

if you are talking about bare subframes and swapping the suspension arms over then encountering seized bolts could add at least another full day, possibly two of labour to the job.
Why do you want to swap the sub frames.
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Keke (Thu Sep 02, 2021 5:03 pm)
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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by Keke »

ChrisHolmes wrote:if you are talking about bare subframes and swapping the suspension arms over then encountering seized bolts could add at least another full day, possibly two of labour to the job.
Why do you want to swap the sub frames.
So two days!.
You might not remember, but I bought faves poly bushed subframes, a while ago, and I've had them sand blasted and painted.
I had a certain someone planned to switch them, but I have to pay garage prices now.

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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by ChrisHolmes »

Ah, now you come to mention it!!

If the garage has done the job before then as others have posted a day is possible but realistically another 1/2 day is needed probably.
If you can get a fixed price then you are relatively safe from any additional costs. The suspension will need an alignment check once the job is done so other than that it’s just about a 20 or so bolts to remove and replace.
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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by Keke »

His actual words were, "I'd hope to get it done in a day, providing there aren't to many problems" so I've budgeted a day and a half plus tracking on top.
I could buy a another rx8 for the cost of this job!

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ChrisHolmes (Thu Sep 02, 2021 7:19 pm) • v-rex (Thu Sep 02, 2021 7:50 pm)
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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by v-rex »

Keke wrote:
Thu Sep 02, 2021 6:53 pm
I could buy a another rx8 for the cost of this job!
Yes it's not cheap but the car will feel amazing afterwards. Mine feels like it did when it was new after I got this done.
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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by 13Black »

Keke wrote:
Thu Sep 02, 2021 6:53 pm
I could buy a another rx8 for the cost of this job!
£200 for a day or two's labour is a steal tbf.

I've swapped a few subframes and I wouldn't want to bank on it being done in 1 day every time.
Then there's the lovely risk of a chassis stud snapping off which is a great way to ruin the garage's day and profit margin.
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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by pfletcher83 »

Mines currently at RR for new F&R subframes, new control arms, coilovers and a few other bits and pieces and im expecting a bill significantly higher than that.

If they commit to 200 - bite their arm off!
For a day and a half thats only about £20 an hour labour

I had real problems even finding a garage that would take on the work. RR came to the rescue.

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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by Keke »

Haha,
I think nick is taking the pi££on the value of a rx8!
It's going to be big bucks, but what the hell

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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by Keke »

So, I've decided just to get this done,
I'm thinking of replacing a few other bits while I'm at it, drop links ect, but I'm wondering if I should get new front and rear strut bar bushes? Is it worth it?

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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by pfletcher83 »

For what they cost to buy (assuming you dont mean the sway bar itself, just the bushes) you might as well - i certainly have.
I would plan on 3 days labour if all the control arms need to come off the old subframes and onto the new.
As has been mentioned, some of those bolts can be a right :censored:

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Re: Front and rear subframe swap

Post by Keke »

Sub frames swapped!
Done in 10 hours!
From what you guys where saying, sounds like the machanic did well.
He also did the tracking, took it for a drive, the did the tracking again. Invited me back after 50-60miles to check again.
All in all I'm very happy. Almost ready for castle combed

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