MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => How to Guides / Troubleshooting => Topic started by: GTIEagles on July 21, 2015, 11:16:52 am

Title: Rear subframe replacement/removal
Post by: GTIEagles on July 21, 2015, 11:16:52 am

I jacked my car up yesterday to try to secure one of the undertrays and I gave the backend of the car a good going over  :signLOL:

I noticed that there is a bit of damage to the rear subframe on the piece that connects to the lower control arm. The damage is slight, it looks like the lip has folded in slightly but the remaining structure seems fine. I suspect an axle stand had been placed there at some point which made it bend under the weight.  :congrats:

Do you think it's worth changing the subframe?? The car handles fine and tracks better than any other car I have driven.

I unfortunately forgot to take any photos but I found a photo that I have drawn a red arrow pointing to the lip that's folded inwards.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsetup.proofing.brayleinolearning.co.uk%2Fphil%2Furl.jpg&hash=745e2f98e306ed25a926fc9d562bd27cec31521e)

Title: Re: Rear subframe replacement/removal
Post by: 99hagued on July 22, 2015, 01:04:20 am

If its just the lip I would just bend it back, also have your car checked on a 4 wheel alignment make sure everythings running straight.

Title: Re: Rear subframe replacement/removal
Post by: GTIEagles on July 22, 2015, 08:57:13 am

I somehow managed to take some photos of it without jacking up!

View looking towards front of car:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsetup.proofing.brayleinolearning.co.uk%2Fphil%2Ffront.jpg&hash=b68db7305eaa90c268b3c3084e4de56d9b7c0e1c)

View looking towards back of car:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsetup.proofing.brayleinolearning.co.uk%2Fphil%2Fback.jpg&hash=22ed1bef2050b777c2a79e797aa12bdf542ef6bb)

It actually doesn't look as bad as I originally thought.

Title: Re: Rear subframe replacement/removal
Post by: GTIEagles on July 22, 2015, 08:58:53 am

Quote from: 99hagued on July 22, 2015, 01:04:20 am

If its just the lip I would just bend it back, also have your car checked on a 4 wheel alignment make sure everythings running straight.

How would I go about bending it? I guess I would have to heat it while bending? Yeah I was worried the alignment might be knocked out so I might have to do that.

Title: Re: Rear subframe replacement/removal
Post by: ReflexRob on July 22, 2015, 02:52:27 pm

Just leave it, it won't be causing any problems.

You could get some mole grips on it and bend it back but I wouldn't bother.

Title: Re: Rear subframe replacement/removal
Post by: GTIEagles on July 22, 2015, 04:04:26 pm

Thanks, I don't suppose it would be worth changing the subframe just for the sake of a superficial bend. I was just paranoid about it upsetting the delicate geometry of the car. I'll get a 4 wheel alignment done on it at some point just to put my mind at ease.