I noticed the fluid on my rear subframe that indicates the blown subframe bushing. The car has 104k on it and i dont track it at all yet. I've read that not fixing this can cause issues with the transmission due to extra movement. I dont know how long the bushing has been leaking :/

ive seen alot of people replace the bushing themselves but i do not have the ability to do that. Im wondering if anyone know how to replace the whole subframe. I can find a used (low mileage) replacement with good bushings for less than 200 and it looks like from what ive seen shops will charge a good 400 just for the install of the bushing. anyone know how long shops have taken to do just the bushing replacement?

any thoughts?

 

What are you calling the "sub frame"? I have never seen a "bushing" which is made from rubber or plastic "leak".

 

I would recommend taking this one to the shop, but Others may not agree.

 

ive only really seen it called the subframe but its the bushing supporting the back of the differential

 

Yeah, you are talking about the "pumpkin" mounts. There are three, I think. This would be a pretty straight forward job, but a lot of work without a lift and air tools.

 

It's just a blown differential bushing then (not one of the subframe bushings). For about $200 you can get a set of whiteline differential bushings AND a Nismo finned diff cover, not just a replacement subframe with the same crappy bushing that will just blow out again. Just the whitelines from CZP (a vendor here) run about $100 and are an improvement over the stock goo bushings.

I'm sure a mechanic may charge more than $400 to replace a whole subframe vs the diff bushings.

Here was my gooey mess, it was causing some annoying vibrations at highway speeds:





Here's the fix:

 

So those things are liquid filled?

 

Yup, and so is one of the two bushing on the diff itself. Supposed to help with NVH, but as a long time Nissan/Infiniti owner, the liquid bushings always blow out.

 

Going through this as well. Was trying to track down some odd noises and noticed the bushing was torn and leaking (silicone filled bushings ... meh). Going the SPL solid diff bushing route and doing the 4 subframe bushings, Nismo diff cover, and Injected diff brace while I'm at it. All told the parts will run approx $600 and theoretically never fail. Dropping the subframe isn't really terribly difficult, there's absolutely no good reason on earth to replace it with another used, silicone filled mess. All you're doing is delaying the inevitable. The whitelines are a great choice as well and much cheaper. Do it right or sell the car and buy something you won't destroy.

 

Sorry, that sounded a little harsh lol. But the point stands, don't ever replace a fluid filled bushing, they're bound and determined to fail even if it comes as part of a lower mileage subframe. If your subframe is good just upgrade the bushings. Plenty of DIYs out there to help.

http://my350z.com/forum/engine-drive...-bushings.html

http://my350z.com/forum/8564405-post12.html

 

I have some new white lines for sale.. Pm me...

 

Is there anyone in SoCal that can do this?

 

Duke take a look at the DIY threads I posted. It's really not too hard, just takes a couple hours. Easier with an extra set of hands but not completely required. Buy some beer and invite some mechanically inclined alcoholic friends over.

 

Are there any drawbacks to choosing the solid SPL kit versus the Whiteline kit? J/W because I have to purchase a new kit this weekend.

Thanks!

 

im going to be buying the whiteline kit and i think the subframe kit . i dont intend on selling the car anytime soon and they'll probably go eventaully anyway.

i am gonna go do research on that nismo diff cover to see if i want that. not a track car so i dunno if it'll be needed.

as for the SPL vs whiteline. its only a little more money. my guess is it stiffens/harshens the ride quality even more. for a track car SPL would probably be better. for my DD, ima stick with whiteline.

plus from the DIY"s ive looked at, SPL is hard to get in