Missing part - rear suspension

[RollyTG]

Looking at my rear suspension I found two brackets on the IRS cradle with the remnants of bushes but I can't find anything in the parts catalog that might attach to them. Any clues?

[cass3958]

I think there are supposed to be exhaust hangers there. If you have changed or your exhaust system has been changed the metal legs that are welded to the exhaust at that point and then go through the rubber bushes might be missing.

A couple of photos showing the part not taken specifically to show it but you can see in the first photo the leg welded to the exhaust tube which then sits in the rubber bush. The second photo shows the rear subframe with the rubber bushes but the exhaust is not on the car when this was taken. Hope this helps.

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[RollyTG]

Thanks for that Rob. My car does have a very non-standard exhaust system which I will probably replace with a stock system. It is a one piece welded unit. I am about to cut it up so that I can remove it. I have also found while pulling out the drive shaft that the rear suspension subframe mounts must also be replaced before I go too much further. The parts bill keeps going up, but I expected that. I am thinking that I should pull the IRS unit out but that was something I had planned to do later. Any recommendations? How hard is that to do?

[Glyn Ruck]

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[John Quilter]

[ I am thinking that I should pull the IRS unit out but that was something I had planned to do later. Any recommendations? How hard is that to do?
[/quote]

Brake hose must be detached, handbrake linkage detached, subframe mounts and probably the most difficult part is getting the exhaust out since it winds its way through the rear suspension Factory systems are in sections but the joints can still be buggers to get loose. Worse in areas where rust is a concern.

[cass3958]

I agree with John it is not a hard job or time consuming the hardest part is removing the rear exhaust system. The whole subframe drops out with four bolts on the propshaft. Four bolts on the subframe mounts (two each side and then two large and four small bolts holding the radius arms to the body. As John says disconnect the brake hose and the handbrake cable and out she comes.
Personally I would disconnect all the bolts whilst the body is sat on the subframe You have to remove the rear wheels to get to the subframe mounts but once loose put the wheels back on and jack the body up off the subframe. Be careful as the nose of the diff is the heavy end and the subframe wants to rotate forwards but jack the body up high enough so the subframe can be wheeled out the back on its wheels. Another way is to drop the subframe on to a pallet or a home made jig and drag it out the back without the wheels but either way it is a heavy unit to manoeuvre around.
With the subframe out I would do everything you can with it on the bench. Change the diff oil, brake pads, brake caliper seals and even discs, especially the parking brake pads. Clean, Oil and grease everything.

[Glyn Ruck]

Agree with Cass. Do everything you possibly can with the entire bridgepiece assembly out. Not a job you want to do again in a hurry. About the only job that is easy to do in place is the pinion seal.