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Subframe labour cost


Master flex

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Does anyone know a decent garage and what would be an acceptable price for the labour of changing one of these damn awful things ?

 

This is also an open invitation to a enthusiast to earn a foreigner ;)

 

I have the subframe ordered. Just waiting for the bright yellow hammerite to arrive; just to make a point.

 

Typically I wouldn't be so fastidious but... rust and restoration work can be an art form; and hard to tell of its been a botched job for top £.

 

Based in Manchester but I'm open to travelling. I know Crazy used Lee Dent Autos (I remember this discussion on my last one) would be curious to know prices at least.

 

Thanks chaps and chapettes.

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I would imagine half a day labour at least in a garage. Surprised a local member aint offered to help. I would get stuck in over a weekend if you were local. Start plusgasing all the bolts and nuts every night a week before the job. Will make whoevers life much easier when the time comes

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I really have a trust issue when it comes to jobs like these. Have been stung in the past by people who aren't all too sure what they are doing. (So called professionals: I would feel safer with a club member)

 

I did asked Ams initially but due to bad timing his man cannot help out.

 

To be honest I have been struggling in general. Only 1 garage came back to me after I posted it online to even consider it; and the 1 refurber I used previously missed the issue completely so wouldn't trust them anymore.

 

I really appreciate you coming back to me though mate, even though you are a wee bit away for me!

1 hour ago, ESTHAR_CITY said:

I would imagine half a day labour at least in a garage. Surprised a local member aint offered to help. I would get stuck in over a weekend if you were local. Start plusgasing all the bolts and nuts every night a week before the job. Will make whoevers life much easier when the time comes

 

Just had a though here: My works head office is in Peterborough actually. If I could get the car to you; would you be interested?

Edited by Master flex
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If I was in your situation and no specialists were practical to get to, then would be looking for a decent small independent engine builder or machine shop type setup. Go speak with them and bring the part and you'll soon get an idea if they are up to the job of restoring the subframe.

Unless you need someone to also remove and refit the item, then you're looking at a toyota/celica specialist or a car restorers. Most garages don't entertain restoration work in my experience.

John French is an MR2 and Celica specialist just south of Birmingham, near Kidderminster. Quite a way to go for you, but he likes to do things the correct way. Very up front with costings and time too. There is another much further north but the name escapes more now.

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Cheers Sheeple I will give a call around. You hit it perfectly there.

 

Most garages just want to buy a part, make a large margin and do a straight swap. Restoration work they don't want. In the age of austerity there are a lot of people can afford to cherry pick jobs.

Edited by Master flex
Autocorrect changed members name
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Manchester to Blackburn isn't that far. Drop Martin at mk autos a line, various people on here have used him (including myself many times on many different cars) he's does everything from a full rebuild of a GT4 to a service on a gen7.

Him and Scott are brilliant and I'd trust them with any job, I drive over an hour to see them 

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Hi mate.

I’ve just done a google search for  “car restoration “ in Manchester and there are a couple of companies that, looking at what they do, might possibly be up for doing it.

 

The reason I thought of it was some years ago I used a local Custom car builders to do some work for me that no garage or engineering firm would take on.

 

Just do a google search for Manchester and you will find them, if you can’t find them, I’ll send you the links.

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Appreciate the advice Scott. I will check them against he ones I have already tried. I have heard MK banded about on here before ; that's exactly the sort of confidence I was looking for.

 

Thanks Wolfie. I'm finding it hard to select people for restoration, does seem to be an artwork. I'll have a look tonight (plenty of time whilst in stuck on a boat up in Inverness)

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I love it Cal. Would love to move there in a heart beat if I could. Still full of its charm, although it has a lot of retired couples from S. England now; as they realise they can sell up, get a house twice the size at half the price and live in a beautiful area.

 

Had to drive over to Turriff aswell; always makes me feel where I went wrong in life when I have to drive back home haha. 

 

Of course Ams,  it can wait a month. I am just trying to line my options up beforehand. If he can do it I am more than happy to wait.

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On 18/02/2019 at 18:36, Master flex said:

Based in Manchester but I'm open to travelling. I know Crazy used Lee Dent Autos (I remember this discussion on my last one) would be curious to know prices at least

 

IIRC Lee charges £35 an hour,  i think the labour charge i paid was around £120 

 

When we changed the rear subframe we took the opportunity for a bit of de-rusting underside, and painting, plus application of some dinitrol.

But we took our time [ waiting for paint to dry ] so time it took was longer than a straight forward subframe change.

If traveling you need to have all your ducks in a line, new or reconditioned subframe, camber bolts, trailing arm all ready to go on for the swop-over.

 

MzjcFvw.jpg

 

 

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If you have a new subframe and the bits coming in then you dont need a restoration place to work on the car. Any garage is capable of swapping bits over even kwik fit.

 

If you wanted your old subframe restored then yes you need a decent place to do the job or can be done yourself. I did mine while jacked up on the driveway.

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Honestly sly that was what I thought; but the reality of this has been ridiculous from being quoted £500 for average (with me buying the parts and then doing labour only) outside of relations to this club. The variations in quotes back from garages is ridiculous. 

 

Some good suggestions on here and I now have a good collection of contacts  of whom have already provided good advice. I just need to get the work finalised. Paul @ TCB performance has been brilliant in assisting me with parts. Once I have painted the subframe yellow it's good to go.

Edited by Master flex
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11 hours ago, Master flex said:

Once I have painted the subframe yellow it's good to go.

 

Hopefully your yellow paint will be flex-resistant.

 

Others have reported and i can confirm, the rear subframes flex and which in time cracks the paint finish.

It's probably what causes the rust to get a start in the first place  [ and start again if reconditioned ]

 

I'm not sure which paint to recommend. 

My rear subframe was thoroughly bead blasted, primed and powder coated, but paint cracks have appeared [at the tension bar mount area]

It's not so bad it can't be treated in situ, but will need addressing some time soon to keep it rust free.

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I did mine on the driveway. Wire brush some sand paper and rust converter and paint brushes and spray can of zinc paint.

The result:

20170429_073808.thumb.jpg.54a2ca305ccae920103533c64cf80364.jpg

 

To

20180420_155549.thumb.jpg.5dd26b4d7773913b60d3467f4608c041.jpg

 

Cost around 40 quid for all the gear 7 quid extra for the cavity wax.

All done in one day.

Would have gone far faster if my cordless drill worked. Had twist knot attachment that i never got to make use of.

Also just found out they do rust converter in a spray can. So would be even faster to do and you dont need brushes.

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On 24/02/2019 at 12:24, Master flex said:

Honestly sly that was what I thought; but the reality of this has been ridiculous from being quoted £500 for average (with me buying the parts and then doing labour only) outside of relations to this club. The variations in quotes back from garages is ridiculous. 

 

Some good suggestions on here and I now have a good collection of contacts  of whom have already provided good advice. I just need to get the work finalised. Paul @ TCB performance has been brilliant in assisting me with parts. Once I have painted the subframe yellow it's good to go.

 

Why do I think you will be having mirror tiles under your car at the next show :think:

Edited by Wolfie
  • Haha 1
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