I am getting ready to install new solid subframe bushings in my 69, but it scares me a little. The bolts look pretty rusty and I am afraid that they will break, or maybe the cage nut that they are screwed into will break loose from the body when I am removing the old bushings. So, I will obviously coat them in penetrating oil, but if a bolt or a cage nut does break, what do I do? Does the whole subframe have to come out to fix it?

I'm hoping there is an easier way to do this, but I was pressed for time..

I had a cage break loose on 1 side, and a bolt break off in the other, (both under the firewall).

I picked up some 1.5" steel stock, cut 2 peices in 2.5" chunks.
(sawzall - great invention)
Drilled and tapped holes to fit new bushing bolts.

The cage was dorked up, luckily I was replacing the floor,
and re-used an old cage from under the seat.
I had to zap 4 corners of the new cage with my MIG.
("Zap" & "Dorked" are technical terms..)

I centered everything and all seems to fit nicely.

Soak them down with PB Blaster or Kroll a few times over a few days and might be ok.... mine were.

Do it over a week or month.
I did this on everything I could find before I dismantled my Camaro...I have also done it on other restos...like stuff thats been together since 1940s.
I use crc

Hopefully all will go well, but for some reason, I have a feeling that one of the nuts will break loose. I guess that I'll just have to wait and see. The subframe bushings are going in on Sunday.


By the way, Moderators, can you move this post to the Brakes and Suspension forum. When I posted this question, that is where I thought I was. Obviously, I thought wrong.


One other thing, this is my 1000th post. It only took almost 6 years.

Just a suggestion from my experience, but go ahead and get all new washers and bolts. If the cage on the passenger side comes loose it is not a big deal. If the drivers side comes loose you have to remove the hood,fender and grill to get to the bolt cage. Trust me I know. the only other thing that you might run into is if the supports are rusted out. You will just have to approach that at that time . Good luck it is not really a bad job if you soak it with PB Blaster.and when you think you have too much PB Blaster on it soak it again.LOL