Mazda_Power
09/17/2005, 12:28 PM
Further inspection of my MX-3 showed that the rear suspension needed a little attention. Both lower control arms were bent... on each side. The tires were worn in such a way that I cannot even descibe! Also the sway bar was slightly bent because a broken end link was rubbing on it in a strange way. All of this added up so I figured why not just change it all out? Since the rear suspension loosely resembles a Probes I figured I could do a little write up for those 4 cylinder guys who want the rear discs.
If you decide that you want to drop the whole thing there are two brake lines that need to be unbolted from the subframe. On the Probe the brake lines will need to be unbolted from the caliber and the wheel well (MAKE SURE YOU GET THE BRAKE LINES OFF THE GT ALSO). Be carefull and use lots of WD-40 or equivelent becaue the wheel well lines tend to brake (seize up and twist). Next take off the brake cables. You will have to disconnect them from the "Y" connection under the heat shield. You will also need the GT's brake cables as they connect differently to the calipers. Like the Probe the entire rear suspension subframe unbolts with just 4 - 14mm bolts. Take one off each side and take the other two "half out". Next take out the bolts for the trailing arms:17mm I believe. Then comes the four 17mm strut bolts. Your next task will be getting a jack to hold up the subframe as you unbolt the remaining two 14 mm bolts. Once they are off have a few helpers hold either side as you lower the jack. Then just slide it out from underneth and throw it in the neighbors yard... oh wait that's what I did, your results may vary! :thup:
Installation is reverse of removal, it's pretty straight forward. just don't forget to bleed the brakes. Remember this write up is a swap from a MX-3 and what I can remember off the top of my head about the Probe so bolt sizes and what not may be different. The MX-3 subframe had other goodi4es such as a larger rear anti-sway bar, and a tie bar :bd:. Also the 10 hours for me includes getting the subframe out of the car in the junkyard, going home, getting my truck, driving back to pick it up, and taking it back home for installation. If you have the subframe and other neccessary parts expect 2-3 hours for a decent install.
I'll post up pictures when I can load them up.
Aaron
If you decide that you want to drop the whole thing there are two brake lines that need to be unbolted from the subframe. On the Probe the brake lines will need to be unbolted from the caliber and the wheel well (MAKE SURE YOU GET THE BRAKE LINES OFF THE GT ALSO). Be carefull and use lots of WD-40 or equivelent becaue the wheel well lines tend to brake (seize up and twist). Next take off the brake cables. You will have to disconnect them from the "Y" connection under the heat shield. You will also need the GT's brake cables as they connect differently to the calipers. Like the Probe the entire rear suspension subframe unbolts with just 4 - 14mm bolts. Take one off each side and take the other two "half out". Next take out the bolts for the trailing arms:17mm I believe. Then comes the four 17mm strut bolts. Your next task will be getting a jack to hold up the subframe as you unbolt the remaining two 14 mm bolts. Once they are off have a few helpers hold either side as you lower the jack. Then just slide it out from underneth and throw it in the neighbors yard... oh wait that's what I did, your results may vary! :thup:
Installation is reverse of removal, it's pretty straight forward. just don't forget to bleed the brakes. Remember this write up is a swap from a MX-3 and what I can remember off the top of my head about the Probe so bolt sizes and what not may be different. The MX-3 subframe had other goodi4es such as a larger rear anti-sway bar, and a tie bar :bd:. Also the 10 hours for me includes getting the subframe out of the car in the junkyard, going home, getting my truck, driving back to pick it up, and taking it back home for installation. If you have the subframe and other neccessary parts expect 2-3 hours for a decent install.
I'll post up pictures when I can load them up.
Aaron