P80 subframe and lower torque mount questions

[scot850]

So while I am in the process of swapping the winter tires over to summers, I am having another (probably fruitless) look around to see if I can find the cause of the graunching from the front of the car particularly when turning left.

Whilst poking around, I found a couple of thinks to look into, which include checking the front subframe bushes. What I have found so far is a little concerning. The front RH subframe bush mount appears to be out of position compared to where it has obviously sat before, and the rear mounting plates appear to be missing the bolt washers so the bolts are only touching them for a very small area.

Front RH subframe mount

Rear front subframe mount plate

Rear front subframe mount plate (2)

Rear front subframe mount plate (3)

Also noticed the lower torque mount rear bush looks like it has failed, and may be the reason for the occasional hard shift as per Robert's Youtube video.

What I am curious about on this (other than how one of the allan bolt heads has been rounded off!!), is that I don't recall having seen the use of Allan/Hex domed head bolts for this before. Is this normal?

Lower torque mount (1)

Lower torque mount (2)

Lower torque mount (3)

I've ordered the correct bolts and washers so will fit those when they get here. That will also allow me to remove all the sub-frame bolts in turn and have a look at the condition of the bushes to eliminate them from the quest.

Should be fun getting this rear bolt out!

Neil.

[JDS60R]

I have seen this situation before.

If its any help The Hunter alignment machines ( 3D digital style ie DSP 600 or Hawkeye) has a cradle positioning option. If you find someone who knows how to use it correctly it will get you back to where it is supposed to be.

That being said - It sure is funny how close they line up to the little marks they leave. I think If you hand the motor from the top with a cross bar or a cherry picker you can looses the bolts and reset the cradle to its correct position. Be careful with the drivers from bolt. It is exposed and rusted in many cases. We soak them with penetrant for a few days

[scot850]

Thanks for the input. I do however plan to return it to the dealer who had the sub-frame off/loosened when they did the anti-sway bar swap a few months ago. I also had an alignment done at the same time so they are on the hook for this.

Help always appreciated.

Neil.

[scot850]

Had major concerns getting the 2 rear mounting bolts with a 6mm drive countersunk Allen head and wide contact face. Also access with this type of bolt head is made even more difficult due to there being a hard metal portion of power steering line running below it in the perfect position to make normal 3/8" drive 6mm drive sockets impossible to attach to a ratchet wrench. I ended up removing the mounting bolt at the front of the metal pipe and as there is a rubber pipe above it allowed the pipe to be moved to just give enough access. Gave the bolts a good hard whack with a hammer to loosen the threads and then with a long ratchet they cracked loose, even the damaged one.

With the torque mount removed I can see that 2/3rds of the rubber rear mount is torn. This part is now obsolete, but I fortunately have a new and also an old spare as a back up.

Can't re-install until I get new rear bolts. A question here. Do these pas into an oil gallery in the auto trans? Both bolt threads looked like they had oil in them, but so far no drips to be seen.

Neil.

[precopster]

I've replaced about 5 or 6 of those lower torque mounts and recently the one on the 1998V70R I just sold. No they don't pass into oil galleries. Odd that yours had allen bolts.

The local euro parts dealers gave me a P2 version of this torque mount and told me that it fits however the difference is in the second offset bolt hole. There is also a small rib on the AW50-42 that prevents the P2 version from bolting straight on however a quick dremel blast of that rib and a slight ovalling out of the second hole with a round file had it done.

Not certain if that same rib is on your AW55-50SN transmissuon.

[scot850]

I should look into that for down the line Mike.

I also will get around to buying some poly bushes someone pointed be to in Sweden. Lucky I have a brother there who can ensure I get the right parts (and a former mechanic!).

Thanks for letting us P80 AWD owners know about this possible option.

Neil.