General Help! Replacing subframe fiat 500 lounge 2017

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General Help! Replacing subframe fiat 500 lounge 2017

MrDupes

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I have dropped the subframe out to replace with new. Removed all bolts etc however can't figure out how to take the actual subframe out cleanly to replace any advice would be greatly appreciated !! Thanks
 
I have dropped the subframe out to replace with new. Removed all bolts etc however can't figure out how to take the actual subframe out cleanly to replace any advice would be greatly appreciated !! Thanks

Hello and welcome to the forum.

What has happened that would necessitate subframe replacement on an almost new car?

You might find this thread of interest.
 
Bought a cat n was front end damage, stripped the front to see the full extent of the damage !!
 
As far as I'm aware, the front sub-frame just bolts to the bottom of the car so the simple answer is there's nothing to do except un-bolt it.

If it was me, I'd remove the brake caliper, disc, hub carrier and driveshaft.. drop out the front damper and separate the tie-rod from the anti-roll bar... then remove the wishbone arms... although the "quick" way might be to just separate the tie-rod and the wishbone arms from the hub.

The subframe is also almost certainly connected to one or more engine and/or gearbox mounts, so get the car onto stands and crawl under it to check. If you removed the driveshafts and suspension, this will be easy to do.

If any part of the motore or gearbox is supported by the subframe you ought to put an engine or transmission stand (or an axle stand, or just a jack) under the engine/gearbox to support its weight when you remove the subframe.



Ralf S.
 
I'm struugling to understand how salvage needing a front subframe replacement can be sold as a cat N :confused:.
Believe me I thought the exact same should of been an S !! However stupidly bought it further away than I normally would have so didn't view the car prior to buying ! Lesson learnt
 
Its pretty common for the steering rack to be bolted through the subframd too..

Is the issue of removing /unbolting..?

Or just getting clearane in the TIGHT space of a 500..??

It's free just no clearance to remove out to swap I'm under the impression I'll have to take exhaust pipe off for clearance it's a pain in the ar*e
 
I'm struugling to understand how salvage needing a front subframe replacement can be sold as a cat N :confused:.

Cat N is for non structural damaged cars.
The subframe isn't necessarily structural on these, it doesn't form part of the structure or effect the car structural integrity. Remove it and the vehicles rigidity doesn't alter, it basically holds the suspension on and isolates the wheels from the body.

Unlike damage to either A, B, C, D pillars, strut towers, firewall, front and rear rails (commonly called chassis legs), these would make it a Cat S.
 
The subframe isn't necessarily structural on these, it doesn't form part of the structure or effect the car structural integrity. Remove it and the vehicles rigidity doesn't alter, it basically holds the suspension on and isolates the wheels from the body.

That's true; bolted on parts aren't considered part of the vehicle's structure when classifying salvage.

But I still can't understand how you can damage a front subframe sufficiently to require replacement without also deforming some part of the structural bodyshell :confused:.

For anyone who's interested in how the system is supposed to work, I've attached a copy of the current ABI Code of Practice for the classification of vehicle salvage.
 

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  • salvage-cop-v10-september-2017.pdf
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I saw a couple of cars last winter with very light "run over" damage, usually to sump and subframe crossmember.
One had apparently been done on snow at single-figure speed over a rounded concrete driveway marker. Had a nice neat half-moon shape out of the bumper and no other visible damage. The subframe was bent upwards in the middle, like it had been jacked up badly.

I guess that one would be fairly safe/easy to repair.

Not sure I'd want anything to do with one that bent the subframe from a conventional impact though. They are pretty substantial.
 
It's free just no clearance to remove out to swap I'm under the impression I'll have to take exhaust pipe off for clearance it's a pain in the ar*e

On most FIAT cars
To drop the exhaust.. just unclip the rubber near the gearstick..
Unbolt the flange / coupling at the flexi..near the engine sump.

That will buy you around a foot /0.4 m of working clearance.. in around 5 mins
 
It's free just no clearance to remove out to swap I'm under the impression I'll have to take exhaust pipe off for clearance it's a pain in the ar*e

Ah yes... I forgot to mention the exhaust... but just separate the downpipe from the manifold and it should come free. It's just suspended on rubber blocks.


Ralf S.
 
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