Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension Rear subframe alignment

I need to drop my rear subframe for the sway bar fix.

Question: do I need the factory service alignment pins to get the subframe back in alignment? Or can I roughly mark the original location, then remove the subframe, bolt it back in after mods, and have alignment handled by a standard 4-wheel alignment?

Good question ,i will look this up and get back to you . Unless someone else has a answer

I bought the alignment pins and they definitely help out and probably should be used. Is it imperative that they are used?...I would say probably not, as long as you CAREFULLY mark the subframe and body in multiple spots for proper realignment. If you still feel that the subframe is out of alignment, you could always bring it to a Ford dealer to realign it when you're done. All in all, a pretty easy job as long as you have somewhere warm to work in

BTW, I'd lend you my tools but I'm down at school at Indiana U right now....sorry!

Krafty, thanks for the info. How much were the pins?

The pins cost ~37 british pounds...I'll have to search for the website I got them from. Great company with great customer service also! I'll see if I can't find the link.

I purcahsed mine from Automotive Tools and Supplies in the UK Auto-tools subframe alignment pins . The cost was 28.70 pounds or about $46 with another $16.80 for shipping from UK to Virginia, US (About $63 total). Shipping took several weeks so if you need them plan well ahead. (note that there is more involved with these tools than just steel "pins")

For some reason no US based tool supplier offers these pins (and I certainly looked!) so you will almost certainly have to purchase from overseas.

I don't know if you really need these to re-install subframes - I am just a stubborn SOB when it comes to doing auto repairs by the book. It does seem to me that it is so much work to do this type of job that it was worth the money to assure they are "factory" aligned.

You could also just spray paint around the mounting points before removal and use the spray pattern to ensure you have returned alignment during installation. Would work assuming alignment was OK to start with.