Rear Subframe Replacement
 

I posted on here a few weeks ago regarding the rear N/S upper suspension arm snapping due to rust on my 2004 ZT CDTI 200.000mls. Living is S/W France parts are not easy to come by, but Fleabay is a godsend to get you out of a hole!

Due to the scabby appearance of the subframe I decided to change the complete subframe and found a second-hand assembly on fleabay for £306 delivered. It arrived here in France well within the week from Portugal and it's pretty much like new!

After propping up the rear of the ZT I managed to remove the old subframe without disturbing the rear calipers, handbrake cables or ABS etc, all bolts came free without too much trouble but the rear two subframe bolts were incredibly tight, the fronts slack by comparison, infact one was quite loose! The only downer was I had to cut the exhaust just after the fuel tank, there was no-way I could reach the middle joint! To re-fit the exhaust I found a 6" s/steel repair section to use. I shall update when I get to re-fit!

Life in S/W france is not all sunflowers and Vin Rouge, more like a cold barn with an earth floor!

I don't know if these pics will work! If they don't maybe someone could offer some advice.

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All your links seem to be to files on your PC , not on the web ;)

it is a shame it is done now, but you didnt need to cut the exhaust. Mine, still original in one piece is still in one piece. By removing the two central braces at around the front seat area, allows you to drop the exhaust to the ground. As it is attached via the flexi pipe, it allowed me to slide it to the left below the hub and the subframe dropped to the ground with the arms attached.

subframe out and exhaust held up with bungee cords overnight (whilst I rubbed down and painted the floor) to take the strain from the flexi. The hubs too were supported by axle stands to save strain on the bushes too.

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/a...1&d=1550439246

This is the easy way to upload pics to a thread:

Copy all the pics you want to upload here onto your PC's desktop.

1. Start/open the thread you want the pictures to appear in (e.g. this one).
2. Open any other thread in a 2nd browser window (or a 2nd tab).
3. Click IMAGE GALLERY in the brown toolbar at the top of the 2nd thread's page.
4. Choose UPLOAD AN IMAGE.
5. On the next page that opens, click the top grey BROWSE button on the right (there are 3 of them)
6. In the Windows box that opens, navigate to the PC's desktop and click on the 1st pic you want to upload (repeat for 2nd & 3rd pics if there are any).
7. Click HOST IT button.
8. Your image gallery will open - find the 1st pic and click on it.
9. Larger version of 1st pic opens - right-click and select COPY
10. Now go back to the thread where you want the pictures to appear.
11. Right-click and select PASTE.

That's it for the 1st pic (or the 1st three pics if you went for three simultaneous uploads at step 6).
Repeat steps 8-11 for any subsequent pics.

NB. There's a pic size limit on this forum - a width of 900 pixels is usually ok. Anything much bigger than that will exceed the limit and you'll have to resize (i.e. reduce the width) before trying to upload.

:}

The Portugese supplier seems to have some very good parts. Mine were spot on and delivered quickly.;)

Portuguese supplier? I didn't know there was one. Have you got a link?

He's an ebay seller (username schwarzie8610 I think?)
see item 223548548032

I see what you mean. It has been sprayed though - look at the short arm on the right (2nd & 3rd pics).

I thought the same with the pics of my upper arms but they were literally as new and had definitely not been touched. They were indistinguishable from brand new parts. I gave them a light sanding down and repainted them myself, inside and out before fully rustproofing with cavity wax. The climate over there is much better than ours and they don't use road salt. You could see odd corrosion marks where there were slight chips and scratches but nothing else. Had to be seen to be believed. As an ex truck fleet mechanic I am well experienced enough to judge.

I agree it's a very good buy. He's going to have problems shipping it though, unless he dismantles it.