Sub frame replacment

[boomenstein]

My sub frame broke today due to rot.
Does anybody know when looking for a replacement what type I need.
I have a '85 Jetta Diesel.
Can I use any k frame or did they change over the MK2 at all?
As well is a MK1 or MK3 different, I am guessing so.
Any insight appreciated.
 

[Matteo]

I may have one, but I'm not sure it will fit. It is an 86. I'm buying it tomorrow. After I pull off the drive train and interior, I will sell you the frame for cheap. How's $250 sound? The doors are pokey, but I believe the chassis is still good. I live in NH. I have sold lots of VW's up in your area.

[burn_your_money]

All mk2s are the same. MK3 and mk1 are different.

[Jettagli16v]

All A2s (incl. corrado) should be game,
and (unless I am mistaken, and they are off by subtle measurements)
A3 4 cylinders should be game as well. (not sure if the VR6 is a different subframe)

I know the control arms are different from A2/A3. (A3=longer)

If you can find someone that is breaking a car, it should be cheap to buy but not to ship.

Check out this:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4056014

Make sure he means the rear not the front, though.

[G60ING]

All A2s (incl. corrado) should be game,
and (unless I am mistaken, and they are off by subtle measurements)
A3 4 cylinders should be game as well. (not sure if the VR6 is a different subframe)

I know the control arms are different from A2/A3. (A3=longer)

If you can find someone that is breaking a car, it should be cheap to buy but not to ship.

Check out this:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4056014

Make sure he means the rear not the front, though.

Sorry but there is som mis information here.

The mk2 K-frame can be swapped with any other mk2's K-frame or a G60 corrado's.

You can use a VR6 Corrado's K-Frame but the Vr6 control arms and powersteering racks are longer.  If you use this VR6 Frame you will need a mk3 2L (ABA)'s rear motor mount bracket.

All Mk3 K-Frames require the use the mk3 2L (ABA)'s rear motor mount bracket. because they have a different style motor mount. The 2L aba control arms are the same as the Mk2 control arms. The Vr6 control arms and power steering racks are longer then the mk2 items.

Also it should be noted that you should not use 4 bolt spindles with VR6 control arms or visaversa as the geometry will cause wheelbearing failures or worse, broken CV joints.

There are some other minor differances between the corrado, mk2 and mk3 K-frames but you be able to use them without issues

[turborabbit]

My '81 Caddy's driver-side control arm support seperated due to rust-took it to a body shop-bought an un-needed strut-tower support (Bethany Imports wouldn't take it back-anybody want one?) 2 months later I took my caddy and my new strut-tower support back-put a long bolt in each control arm, "come-a-longed them back in place, welded where there was sufficient metal, then welded an inch and one half by 1/4 inch steel strap across the bottom. Had it aligned and tested it to 90mph. You can have the '86 Jetta I took the 1.6TD5spd out of. I got it from Pull-a-part (it had been 'T-boned on the passenger side, but I live in Oklahoma.

[madmedix]

You're in luck. Just put mine back in after swapping out the power steering rack for a manual one...

It's actually quite straight forward. There are a few things to look out for though...

1) Inspect the area of the right motor mount very carefully on the subframe you are considering before buying it. I found three that I could knock the mount right off the thing with a rubber mallet it was so corroded.
2) After you remove the rack there is the steering rack to deal with..read this post and go near the bottom. (link at the bottom)
Those studs pictured are what is holding in your rack to the subframe. Undo the nuts (air tools go great here) and then drift out these studs. You'll need new ones to remount. Also there will be four "tubes" that those studs go through inside the subframe. Keep them. You'll need them again.
3) If you have the anti-sway bar up front (mounted to the back of the subframe, watch out for those little "c" shaped keepers for the rubber bushings. They tend to flake apart. Those you can still get from the stealership, I think I paid $5 each.

Cheers,
Andy

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