Has anyone ever removed the front sub-frame from their car? I tore my car up pretty badly last night, killed the oil pan and passenger side sub-frame. It looked like it was torn clear in half on the flat bed of the tow truck but I didn't really get a good look at it.

Anyways I'm wondering if anyone has had to replace one on their LS and had some insight on how to do it.

FYI car is a '91 LS400.

 

Subframe section is where the crossmember is attached. I partially moved mine when I was changing the engine bushing mounts on my LS. It is pretty straight forward. Make sure you have the whole front end up high on jack stands and have a floor jack supporting the engine from the bottom when you start removing the subframe. Good luck and work safely.

 

what are you calling a subframe??
do you see it in this diagram?

 

You mean front crossmember right? Here's instructions if your car doesn't have air suspension.

1)REMOVE STEERING KNUCKLE
a) support car on jack stands and remove front wheel
b) remove remove two bolts connecting speed sensor protector to knuckle and remove the protector
c) remove bolt connecting speed sensor and remove speed sensor
d) remove two bolts mounting brake caliper and remove brake caliper, support with wire/hanger
e) match mark two screws on brake rotor, remove screws and rotor
f) remove pin and nut and remove knuckle from upper suspension arm
g) remove one bolt and remove brake line from knuckle
h) remove two bolts and remove knuckle from lower ball joint
2) REMOVE COIL SPRING WITH SHOCK ABSORBER
a) remove nut and bolt and remove shock absorber from lower bracket
b) remove three nuts and remove shock absorber and coil spring
3) remove tie rod from lower ball joint
4) remove a nut and bolt, and bolt and disconnect shock absorber bracket.
5) remove 2 nuts and remove strut bar from lower control arm
6) at this point normally you would match mark the camber bolts on the lower control arm but since you are replacing the crossmember, you will need an alignment right away. remove the nut, washers and camber bolt. If you are having problems removing the bolt, turn steering wheel towards bolt you are trying to remove. removelower control arm
7) SUPPORT ENGINE WITH ENGINE HOIST
8) remove lower engine mount bolts
9) remove four nuts and remove crossmember
NOW WOULD BE A PERFECT TIME TO REPLACE ENGINE MOUNTS
reinstall is mostly reverse of removal
Do not torque lower control arm camber bolts. reinstall everything and lower car. bounce front suspension a few times to stabilize it. support car on jack stands, jack up knuckle, and then tighten the camber bolts.
YOU WILL NEED AN ALIGNMENT.

You can probably skip some steps but this would probably make removal and replacing the crossmember easier.

 

Billy, I think he means 51201A

 

Ya sorry for the incorrect terminology, I meant the front cross-member. Thanks for the help guys!