[Vwdiesel] Front end sub-frame

[Tony and Lillie]

It's actually not all that hard to replace. You will have to unbolt the steering rack, and the rear engine mount IIRC. THen, support the engine from underneath (I usually put a 12" piece of 2x6 under the oil pan. THen, four bolts and it will come off the car. At that point, you have te remove the control arms from it, and I think that should be all. It's been a few years, though, so I might be forgetting some things. It's the same as the Golf also, and should be fairly plentiful.

BTW, my last three cars have been from the rust belt, and I feel your pain.

Tony


>Subject: [Vwdiesel] Front end sub-frame
>
>Hello all;
>
>I have a 92 Jetta Ecodiesel:  The front suspension "subframe" cracked on the
>drivers side behind where the rear of the front control arm attaches
>in. Obviously destabilized the drivers side front wheel enough that I
>noticed it, jacked it up, looked, and said "Holy Crap!!"   I don't think I
>hit anything, just old age, metal fatigue, miles, and living in the rust
>belt.
>
>Anyone ever replaced this subframe piece?  Issues you ran into?  Do the
>engine mounts attach to this subframe?  Worth the hassle, or at this point
>(370K miles) scrap car and move on?  Dare I try to weld this with it in
>place, or don't bother?  I know these questions are a lot of "it depends"...
>just looking for and appreciate any thoughts.
>
>I imagine there aren't many cars in this area (Milwaukee, WI area) that
>survive long enough for this to happen?
>
>Chris