Engine Sub Frame Removal

[Martin Sullivan]

Hi all

I want to replace my engine mounts whilst I have lots of access at the front.
There’s a fair bit of corrosion on the engine subframe so ideally I’ll take it out and paint it.
The steering rack is mounted to the subframe, having just changed the steering fluid I don’t fancy draining it all and removing the rack.

Can the sub frame be removed without fully disconnecting the steering rack?

Thanks
Martin

 

[Lee]

Evening Martin.

Yes it can. You’ll need to support the the engine from above. Just remove the two bolts holding the rack and support it. This contraption will support the engine. There’s also an earth strap and the 4 main bolts.

 

[Martin Sullivan]

Nice one. Thanks.
Looks pretty straight forward. Ill make a brace, I feel something fashioned out of some, wood, unistrut and a ladder clamp will do a pretty good job.

 

[Martin Sullivan]

@Lee on a different subject, do you put thread seal on the gearbox sump plug? I have a very small leak from the plug.

 

[Lee]

@Lee on a different subject, do you put thread seal on the gearbox sump plug? I have a very small leak from the plug.

I don’t personally, for the sake of £2 I tend to grab a new sump plug.

 

[t-tony]

The gearbox plugs are a tapered thread (drain and level). All I do is clean the thread on a wire wheel and refit them. No leaks as far as I'm aware.

Tony.

 

[Martin Sullivan]

The gearbox plugs are a tapered thread (drain and level). All I do is clean the thread on a wire wheel and refit them. No leaks as far as I'm aware.

Tony.

12:27am! Do you not sleep?!

Thanks
Perhaps I didn’t clean the thread well enough. I’ll do it again.
Do you torque the plug? I’ve read 35ft lbs is correct apart from the fact an oiled thread might result in over tightening?

 

[t-tony]

There will always be a certain amount of oil on the threads Martin. I don't torque them.

Tony.

 

[DrWong]

Evening Martin.

Yes it can. You’ll need to support the the engine from above. Just remove the two bolts holding the rack and support it. This contraption will support the engine. There’s also an earth strap and the 4 main bolts.
View attachment 160965

Have you ever actually used one of these engine support bars on a Z3 Lee?

I want to lift my engine for the same reasons as Martin, i.e. refurb subframe and clean around the engine mounts and seen these used on other cars. But I'm a bit apprehensive - the lip that the support would rest on by the wheel arch on a Z3 just doesn't look like it'd be strong enough to support the weight of an engine! At least to me anyway...

A BMW TIS recommends using the BMW version of the engine support to service the sump on six pots. So presumably it must be ok. But would still be good to know if people have used one and avoided folding their Z3 in half hahaha

Cheers

 

[Lee]

Have you ever actually used one of these engine support bars on a Z3 Lee?

I want to lift my engine for the same reasons as Martin, i.e. refurb subframe and clean around the engine mounts and seen these used on other cars. But I'm a bit apprehensive - the lip that the support would rest on by the wheel arch on a Z3 just doesn't look like it'd be strong enough to support the weight of an engine! At least to me anyway...

A BMW TIS recommends using the BMW version of the engine support to service the sump on six pots. So presumably it must be ok. But would still be good to know if people have used one and avoided folding their Z3 in half hahaha

Cheers

It's not taking the full weight of the engine because it's still supported by the gearbox bracket. I actually used a plank of wood and a strap

 

[DrWong]

Good point about the gearbox