[Shotimes] Subframe parts / bolts! and more...

[Carl Prochilo]

Chris,  I hate it when that happens...  Apparently FORD engineers didn't
plan to ever have clutch failures on the SHO.  : )

Since you didn't specify which bolt was the problem, I'll assume it is one
of front bolts that is stuck on, and also  because you said the subframe
recall was done to your car.  This recall only dealt with the rear subframe
bolts as they had more of a tendency to fail.  I have a copy of the original
recall letter in case you are interested.

Here is the Don Donelson method that I personally witnessed.
A solution that worked on my car was to drill a hole through the bushing and
through the subframe, about 1" off center..  The hole should be about 1/4"
or at least large enough to be able to get a screwdriver in to hold the
wingnut in place while you unscrew the bolt.  As much as I hated seeing the
FPS solid subframe bushings get attacked this way, it was really the lesser
of the evils, and there really isn't an issue with structural integrity of
the part.
I thought this was a rather ingenious procedure and give Don a lot of credit
for this type of out of the box thinking.

And now for a commercial.  If you aren't in a position to work on your own
SHO, and live in Florida, then find Don.  He does great work at a reasonable
price.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris "Zap"" <zap@columbus.rr.com>
To: <Shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2003 12:09 AM
Subject: [Shotimes] Subframe parts / bolts! and more...


>     Well, I never expected to be asking THIS question of the list, but
this
> is a somewhat serious problem I just discovered on the '94.  We decided to
> finish the rest of the clutch disassembly today and we got as far as
> removing three of the four subframe bolts.  The fourth will not come out
> completely of the frame due to the little metal piece that holds the
> subframe to the frame via a bolt not being welded in there properly, and
it
> being apart from the frame!!!  Thus the bolt is partway threaded on the
> metal piece.  Has anyone seen this before?  Obviously it is going to need
to
> be welded back together before the car can be put back together.  HELP!
>
>     Second issue:  I was told that the recalls had been completed on the
car
> when I called the dealer to find out.  I am not really sure what the
> subframe plate corrosion issue deals with, but I think this is probably
it.
> Right now two of the four subframe plates/rubber pieces are off the car.
> The third is stuck to the sf and I haven't pulled it off, and the fourth
is
> hanging on the bolt that won't come out any further.  Comparing the two
> subframe "mounts" I find one with two plates and the rubber piece, and the
> second has one plate and the inside (plate between the outside plate and
> rubber) is COMPLETELY rusted out and GONE.  Almost nothing is left, save a
> few pieces of rusty metal.  This piece was on the firewall end of the
> subframe.
>
> Answers are greatly appreciated to these peculiar questions!
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
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