Replacing subframes with refreshed ones this winter. All bead blasted, painted, with all new poly thoughout. New billy HD's, Ireland stage I springs, IE camber plates and all new brakes with SS lines. Replacing the crappy ANSA with some more crappy ANSA. Also using those nice thick Ireland sway bars. So step one was last night, get the old subframe out of there. Now it is all cleaning as the dif diff was pissing oil all over the bottom of the car. Stay tuned.

Nice job, mine is coming down in a few weeks. I like the way you held the body...but it it solid enough to work under? I just helped a buddy drop his rear subframe and we used a fence post across the car held up by 4 jackstands and a racing jack.

I don't work in an unsafe manor. Those are made in USA Jack stands(the only ones to SAFELY use), and I always test what is jacked to insure I stay as good lookin' as I can. This car has very solid seams that support the weight. On a rusty car I would have taken a different approach.
Larry

I tell you the one bad thing about Florida this time of year is that we dont take the time for "winter projects" like this, good luck I'm sure the work will be fun, I know working on my car no matter how grueling it might be always leaves me feeling satisfied!

Nice job! seems lk a long and grueling mission! keep up the good work keep us posted

hey, that looks like quite the project, nice pixs. I'm new with the terminology, just what are you replacing, the running gear, or body panels underneath? sorry, I'm just trying to learn. thanks bob

You see that whole assembly that was on the jack? Thats the rear subframe with the differential in the middle. I am putting another one in that has been cleaned up with all new bushings and brakes plus an LSD (limited slip differential) from a 320i. The subframe is standard fare 2002 but i'm using poly bushings, and the diff is 320i. This job is pretty as much plug and play as it gets. So to anwser the question, i'm replacing running gear. Body panels/floors is a whole different animal. That would need precise work with cutting/welding tools that I don't own. It could be done, just more delicate that swapping subframes. The car is clean underneath all that moil anyway!

Thanks for clueing me in. nice project, looking forward to more. bob