Sub-Frame Install Question
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From: Belleville, MI
Sub-Frame Install Question Ok, I know that you're supposed to install these with the suspension loaded. I'm welding the UMI sub-frames if that matters. I plan on having a welder friend of mine put them in, but we don't have a lift that will keep the suspension loaded while we put them in. I didn't know if there would be room for him to weld them on while the car is actually on the ground, anyone tried that? We thought about jacking it up and just tac welding them into place, and then putting it back on the ground and welding them all the way in? Will that idea work? I really don't want to pay someone to put them in but I want to make sure I don't screw something up when I put them in myself.
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Originally Posted by Ru2n00n3er
Ok, I know that you're supposed to install these with the suspension loaded. I'm welding the UMI sub-frames if that matters. I plan on having a welder friend of mine put them in, but we don't have a lift that will keep the suspension loaded while we put them in. I didn't know if there would be room for him to weld them on while the car is actually on the ground, anyone tried that? We thought about jacking it up and just tac welding them into place, and then putting it back on the ground and welding them all the way in? Will that idea work? I really don't want to pay someone to put them in but I want to make sure I don't screw something up when I put them in myself.
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I'm almost positive that I can't drive up on two, which is why I didn't think of using them. But jacking it up and then leting it back down on the ramps might work.
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Speaking of ramps, anybody have trouble driving their car up onto them? Stock suspension cars that is? I know with my 94 LT1 Z i couldnt drive it up onto ramps, havent tried with the SS yet. And is there a best way to get a 6-speed car up onto them without slipping the **** out of the clutch?
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From: Belleville, MI
I don't think there is anyway that I could drive my car up onto the ramps, just because of clearance issues. My car is a little lower because it has the Bilstein on it though.
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I bought a pair of ramps (I think they were Rhino...I forget) and they are special low-profile ramps for sports cars. You can (just barely) drive up on them without any issues with a stock suspension. The only problem I have is sometimes they kick out from under my tires in the garage, so sometimes it takes a few tries.
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From: eagle river, alaska
i lowered my 'bird 1" and since then i have not found any ramps that i can drive up on, the front overhang is just too long and hits them all before the tires. i have to build up a long lumber ramp to get up on to the metal ramps, a pain.
good luck fellas.....jesse 
What I usually do is to back up onto the ramps because of the greater rear valance height then jack up the front and then slide the ramps under the front, set her down on them and then you're ready to go. Or just as easy IMO, put 2 2x4s in front of the ramps and drive up them. Just use whatever you have lying around the garage.
Originally Posted by C.J.
Speaking of ramps, anybody have trouble driving their car up onto them? Stock suspension cars that is? I know with my 94 LT1 Z i couldnt drive it up onto ramps, havent tried with the SS yet. And is there a best way to get a 6-speed car up onto them without slipping the **** out of the clutch?
I use Rhino Ramps to do my oil changes, no problems other than trying to keep the darn ramps planted to get the car on them.
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Originally Posted by Azrael
I use Rhino Ramps to do my oil changes, no problems other than trying to keep the darn ramps planted to get the car on them.
even though i can drive up on my rhino ramps i usually always just jack it up and put the ramps under the tires or use jack stands. it just gets scary driving up them and its hard with a 6 speed.
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Originally Posted by hourang
even though i can drive up on my rhino ramps i usually always just jack it up and put the ramps under the tires or use jack stands. it just gets scary driving up them and its hard with a 6 speed.
Originally Posted by Another_User
Yeah. My jack would never go high enough before for the tires to clear the ramps, so I had to buy the extra-high lift jack from Sears. I think it lifts 21 inches high or something.
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Not to hijack this thread, just a question about the suspension being loaded. We welded in my subframes last weekend. On the driver's side I used a jack to get the connector flush with the bottom of the car. After it was tacked into place I let the jack down and noticed that it had pushed the front of the car up just a few inches. Will this cause a problem? The car was on a drive on lift too, so the rest of the suspension was loaded.
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From: Saginaw, MI
Using jack stands on the rear axle tubes is loading the suspention. Use ramps in the front. I thought I had the frt on ramps but a jackstand was just touching the frame. When I went back and changed it the frames really moved, atleast more than I thought. (bolt on) I went back and did it again because I didn't like the fit on one corner and had to use a thin shim in another spot where a bolt went through.
ie: take your time and do it once especially with weld on one's, no reason to make a camaro look like a nova from behind (dog track) Makes a huge difference in my ttop car. Not the fastest mod but I would rank it as one of the best.
PS we will probably find out how many nova people we have here, hahahaha
ie: take your time and do it once especially with weld on one's, no reason to make a camaro look like a nova from behind (dog track) Makes a huge difference in my ttop car. Not the fastest mod but I would rank it as one of the best.
PS we will probably find out how many nova people we have here, hahahaha