Rear subframe bushings

[millbrilesabre]

So I notice in the parts catalog, the upper rubber portion for the front subframe bushings is different for the #1 position than it is for the #2 and #3 positions. When I look at my bushings, it looks like I put the unique one in the #2 position instead of the #1 position. So I guess thats probably the root of the problem. Right now when my car is on it's wheels, the upper rubber portion of the bushings in the #1 and #3 positions are loose enough to spin them by hand even though the bolts are torqued all the way down. So that means the metal parts of the bushings are bottoming out on each other, but the subframe still has room to wiggle in between them cuz there isn't enough rubber sandwiching it.

I can't decide if I want to try and move those rubber pieces from the #2 slot to the #1 spot before I buy new bushings. I don't think that will fix the issue but it would be free to try.....

In any case, I need to drop the subframe and remove some or all of those bushings. Do you happen to know if I can drop it far enough to do that without disconnecting the steering rack?

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

So I notice in the parts catalog, the upper rubber portion for the front subframe bushings is different for the #1 position than it is for the #2 and #3 positions. When I look at my bushings, it looks like I put the unique one in the #2 position instead of the #1 position. So I guess thats probably the root of the problem. Right now when my car is on it's wheels, the upper rubber portion of the bushings in the #1 and #3 positions are loose enough to spin them by hand even though the bolts are torqued all the way down. So that means the metal parts of the bushings are bottoming out on each other, but the subframe still has room to wiggle in between them cuz there isn't enough rubber sandwiching it.

I can't decide if I want to try and move those rubber pieces from the #2 slot to the #1 spot before I buy new bushings. I don't think that will fix the issue but it would be free to try.....

In any case, I need to drop the subframe and remove some or all of those bushings. Do you happen to know if I can drop it far enough to do that without disconnecting the steering rack?

I didn’t know there was a difference in the bushings on location! Good catch.
You can drop it but you need to use a jack to regulate it, I suggest loosening front ones, loosening the engine or trans mount on the side your working on, just a bit, then dropping the two rear ones and do them. Tighten mostly, drop the front. Then tighten mostly. And go to other side, repeat. Then when it’s all ready to be torqued , reset the subframe and mounts so they aren’t binding and are in their natural position(shaking the subframe is part of that procedure) then torque up