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down.

Soak all the threads with penetrating oil. Then start with the main sub-frame ■nounts, which have a 19mm main bolt with three smaller 13mm bolts securing each support bracket. If the main bolt seems tight, *ork it back and forth

With the two bolts and support brackets out of the way, the sub-frame should :^op slightly. Inspect the mounts carefully for i-rished and separated rubber or a corroded :ćntre casting as, once removed, the sub-"ame would need to be taken to a garage *»ith a press for repiacement. Be surę not to :se the spacer rings, sitting above the mount

-ade of fabricated Steel, while the two : ing/damper assemblies remained separate -D assemblies as in the earlier cars. Then, “ortly before the launch of the X300, the rasign altered slightly with the lower arms -anging to cast construction, incorporating -*.egral lower spring seats and removing the aed for the spring/dampers to be ;embled separately.

While this arrangement is undoubtedly -ore efficient in use, the downside is that 'a spring/damper assembly cannot be :~ioved from the car for dismantling, and

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4There are four bolts along the leading edge of the sub-frame securing the upper and lower halves. The outer two have separate nuts while the inner two screw directly into the upper half. Nut sizes are all 19mm

5There is also a further pair of bolts passing down through the top half of the sub-frame into the lower section. A 19mm ratchet spanner is the best tool for the job. Be surę to recover the spacer sleeve

6 The lower sub-frame section is secured to the differential casing with four 19mm bolts. Remove three, but only loosen the fourth at this stage

When to change

Determining when dampers have reached their use-by datę is not a dear-cut process. Unlike a water pump or steering rack, which will usually leave a puddle of evidence on the garage floor one morning, they fail gradually, over a period of several years, often without any external signs. By the time a tell-tale rattle begins it will be several thousand miles too late.

So in addition to a visual inspection every service, a couple of minutes should be set aside to perform a simple test.

After making surę that the bumpers are dean, secure and not suffering from corroded mounts, place a knee on one corner and build up a rocking motion in the car. Then let go and observe the number of oscillations (up and down cydes) before the vehide stops moving. New dampers will settle within half an oscillation, while one fuli cycle is the acceptable limit.

Permissibłe limit of oscillation with dampers already in use

Oscillation should stop here with new Change Let go... dampers fitted dampers

7Danny is by now a master at the art of single-handed sub-frame removal, but for the rest of us a helper is essential. The differential itself is adequately supported by the propshaft and rear brace bars, and so will hang quite safely without additional help

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