In desperate need of some help!

[berry9112]

Hi guys,
Iv had a nightmare of a weekend. Started with the simple job of replacing lower arms. Ending with the front bolt snapping in the subframe and from there i have tried everything. Heli coil was going well until a 7mm drill bit hit a snag and snapped of the last 5mm of the bit....in the hole!
So, a good family friend is a vag technician and said he can cut the box section put a nut there and weld it in place. I need this car back on the road, and that sounds like a long way round. Has anyone got a gti subframe thats near surrey!? And mainly is there a guide to dropping the subframe leaving the engine in situ?
Iv a rough idea on what im doing but would rather see for certain first.
Seriously appreciate anyone that can help

[berry9112]

So knowone has removed a subframe before  someone must know the level of difficulty involved? Volkswagon workshop manual is useless

[Len]

I dont think anybody has attempted to take out the subframe and leave the engine in place!
In theory it should be possible with and engine beam over the top, with engine secured to it is several places and maybe a jack or axle stand under the diff or gearbox or both.

But pure guesswork on my part.

[Gavv8]

In theory all you would need is an engine crane to support the engine and box but you'd have to have the front up on stands to get at the s/frame and still have access to the motor, the easiest way seems to be to take the front of the car off, bumper/slam panel but then you might just as well yank the motor out as well.

[67buggers]

I had a similar problem but i just heated the sh!t out the bolt and used some vice grips it was a bastard but in the end it worked.... Heat it till its glowing almost white!

[miggs2002]

support the engine in the relevant places, undo rear engine mount and gearbox mount, undo the 3 13mm bolts that hold the rack to the frame, they will likely spin so you will need a 13mm spanner to hold the nuts on the rack side of the frame, undo the 3 13mm bolts on the wishbones and wiggle the ball joint out of the subframe, if you have a rod change box you will need to undo the 3 13mm bolts holding the rod assembly to the frame, if you are on cable change VR/ABF i think the brackets on the box so no issues there, now you should be ready to undo the frame bolts, from memory there's either 3 or 4 on either side, you will find 1 per side that is just below the ARB toward the back of the car, this is for the arb bushes, they should be able to be left in as the drop links are attached to the wishbones and the bushes to the frame, without looking at one i can't picture it properly but i'm sure it can stay on and be dropped fitted as nothing gets in the way

[berry9112]

Cheers guys. The cars already on stands and everything with one lower arm removed and the other still there because i got annoyed with said bolt. It snapped flush with the subframe so couldnt get mole grips or anything round it.
Last post seems fairly spot on. Cheers for the heads up guys

[miggs2002]

i think i must have dropped at least 40 subframes off mk2's and 3's over the years 

never had to do it with the engine in but it shouldn't be too hard as long as the engine's supported

[jiminbmth]

So,you cant use an impact driver to remove broken bolt,even if it was sheared level?

[berry9112]

The last 8mm or so of it snapped inside the subframe. No way of getting it out, unless you drill it and re tap. Or drill it, cut the box section in half weld a nut on the back, and then weld the box section back over the top. Trust me, iv tried everything but the welding part.