How To: Install Subframe locking bolt kit (Group-A)

TheLimitedProject · 03-09-2008, 12:41 PM

I installed the Group A Sub-Frame locking bolt kit today while tinkering around with some other stuff on my car. I picked these up after a guy in a local Group Buy cheaped out... on $20...

. I've had them sitting on the shelf for a couple months now so finally got around to tossing them in today.

Otherwise, you can purchase them from Touge Tuning (a IWSTI.com vendor) for $28 + shipping I believe.

What do they do?

Benefits (according to Group A):
* Trues up the rear end for a proper alignment
* Removes all play from the rear of the car under hard cornering
* Super easy install

To install:
1) Get the rear in the air.

2) Break loose the 4 rear subframe bolts (two shown, two on the other side... subframe locking bolts go in the empty hole):

3) Chase the threads in the hole for the locking bolt.

4) Coat the bolts and sheath in anti-seize.

5) Use a 19" socket to bolt them down.

6) Torque the locking bolts to 60 ft-lb's.

7) Re-torque the subframe bolts to 130 ft-lbs's.

8) Get the car back on the ground.

End result:

Have I noticed anything?
Hard to say really. It's does *seem* that the rear has stiffened up a bit, but that could be my imagination. Regardless, it was $20 and if they work,

. If they don't, so be it. After I get my performance alignment for track season and head to the track, I'll get a better idea of their use.

amg destroyer · 03-09-2008, 01:21 PM

How much does this throw off the alignment? I have a set of whiteline ones waiting to be installed, but don't want to if I have to get an alignment asap (within a month)...

mxpop · 03-09-2008, 01:39 PM

Note, When I installed mine, I had to slightly pry on the subframe to get the bolts lined up to the threads. When I did that, I noticed that the wheel alignment shifted quite a bit with just a little prying. That alone sold me on the benefit of the bolts.

The downside is that you will have a bit more road harshness transfered to the car.

As stated, get a "good" alignment after the instal. The "need" for an alignment will depend on how much the subframe was shifted during instal.

TheLimitedProject · 03-10-2008, 05:33 PM

^Interesting. I didn't have to touch my subframe (read, no prying) to get the bolts to line up or thread in. They slipped right in

.

amg destroyer · 03-16-2008, 01:22 PM

I installed my whiteline bolts today. I immediately felt a difference in cornering and just steering in general. Every movement of the wheel felt more "active" (comparable to that of an evo).. The rear end also feels much more planted around turns. Big

for this nice, cheap and easy mod.

Thanks for the write up LimitedProject!

Wolverine 250R · 03-16-2008, 01:32 PM

I'm interested in these as well, but I had heard that you should torque the bolts after you get the car back on the ground (or with the suspension weighted). Any truth to this?

amg destroyer · 03-16-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolverine 250R

I'm interested in these as well, but I had heard that you should torque the bolts after you get the car back on the ground (or with the suspension weighted). Any truth to this?

Not sure. I torqued mine when the rear was in the air... It works fine so far

TheLimitedProject · 03-16-2008, 09:06 PM

Instructions (for Group-A) specifically say to torque down the bolts with no load on the suspension.

M3Jedi77 · 03-17-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amg destroyer

I installed my whiteline bolts today. I immediately felt a difference in cornering and just steering in general. Every movement of the wheel felt more "active" (comparable to that of an evo).. The rear end also feels much more planted around turns. Big

for this nice, cheap and easy mod.

Thanks for the write up LimitedProject!

Evo? Ftw.

amg destroyer · 03-18-2008, 07:01 AM

Just a word to everyone that is planning on buying these: they greatly increase NVH. Its not unbearable, but noticeable, and I acutally like it more this way...

Wolverine 250R · 03-18-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amg destroyer

Just a word to everyone that is planning on buying these: they greatly increase NVH. Its not unbearable, but noticeable, and I acutally like it more this way...

How so? is it more creaking/ clunking? or just more feedback from the chassis?

amg destroyer · 03-18-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolverine 250R

How so? is it more creaking/ clunking? or just more feedback from the chassis?

I've noticed quite a bit of creaking and a little more clunk (rear diff bushings should fix that no problem

). But MUCH more feedback. You also hear the diff whine a little more, which is a big plus IMO. call me crazy but I love NVH..

03-09-2008, 12:41 PM	#1
TheLimitedProject Spec C Club Car: 07 STI LTD/08 STI Fav Mod: APS/Crawford/Cosworth/Aquamist Location: E-town, AB Posts: 2,272 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (5)	How To: Install Subframe locking bolt kit (Group-A) I installed the Group A Sub-Frame locking bolt kit today while tinkering around with some other stuff on my car. I picked these up after a guy in a local Group Buy cheaped out... on $20... . I've had them sitting on the shelf for a couple months now so finally got around to tossing them in today. Otherwise, you can purchase them from Touge Tuning (a IWSTI.com vendor) for $28 + shipping I believe. What do they do? Benefits (according to Group A): * Trues up the rear end for a proper alignment * Removes all play from the rear of the car under hard cornering * Super easy install To install: 1) Get the rear in the air. 2) Break loose the 4 rear subframe bolts (two shown, two on the other side... subframe locking bolts go in the empty hole): 3) Chase the threads in the hole for the locking bolt. 4) Coat the bolts and sheath in anti-seize. 5) Use a 19" socket to bolt them down. 6) Torque the locking bolts to 60 ft-lb's. 7) Re-torque the subframe bolts to 130 ft-lbs's. 8) Get the car back on the ground. End result: Have I noticed anything? Hard to say really. It's does seem that the rear has stiffened up a bit, but that could be my imagination. Regardless, it was $20 and if they work, . If they don't, so be it. After I get my performance alignment for track season and head to the track, I'll get a better idea of their use. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-09-2008, 01:21 PM	#2
amg destroyer GUNNIN' IT Car: '05 STi Fav Mod: Sparco seat Location: OC Posts: 3,906 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: How To: Install Subframe locking bolt kit (Group-A) How much does this throw off the alignment? I have a set of whiteline ones waiting to be installed, but don't want to if I have to get an alignment asap (within a month)...

03-09-2008, 01:39 PM	#3
mxpop Spec C Club Car: '06 STI Fav Mod: air freshener!!! Location: Santa barbara area Posts: 2,291 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: How To: Install Subframe locking bolt kit (Group-A) Note, When I installed mine, I had to slightly pry on the subframe to get the bolts lined up to the threads. When I did that, I noticed that the wheel alignment shifted quite a bit with just a little prying. That alone sold me on the benefit of the bolts. The downside is that you will have a bit more road harshness transfered to the car. As stated, get a "good" alignment after the instal. The "need" for an alignment will depend on how much the subframe was shifted during instal.

03-10-2008, 05:33 PM	#4
TheLimitedProject Spec C Club Car: 07 STI LTD/08 STI Fav Mod: APS/Crawford/Cosworth/Aquamist Location: E-town, AB Posts: 2,272 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: How To: Install Subframe locking bolt kit (Group-A) ^Interesting. I didn't have to touch my subframe (read, no prying) to get the bolts to line up or thread in. They slipped right in .

03-16-2008, 01:22 PM	#5
amg destroyer GUNNIN' IT Car: '05 STi Fav Mod: Sparco seat Location: OC Posts: 3,906 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: How To: Install Subframe locking bolt kit (Group-A) I installed my whiteline bolts today. I immediately felt a difference in cornering and just steering in general. Every movement of the wheel felt more "active" (comparable to that of an evo).. The rear end also feels much more planted around turns. Big for this nice, cheap and easy mod. Thanks for the write up LimitedProject!

03-16-2008, 01:32 PM	#6
Wolverine 250R Senior STI Driver Car: 05 WRB/Gold STi Fav Mod: Rally Armor Flaps Location: Northeast PA Posts: 363 Join Date: Aug 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: How To: Install Subframe locking bolt kit (Group-A) I'm interested in these as well, but I had heard that you should torque the bolts after you get the car back on the ground (or with the suspension weighted). Any truth to this? Last edited by Wolverine 250R : 03-16-2008 at 01:38 PM.

03-16-2008, 09:06 PM	#8
TheLimitedProject Spec C Club Car: 07 STI LTD/08 STI Fav Mod: APS/Crawford/Cosworth/Aquamist Location: E-town, AB Posts: 2,272 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: How To: Install Subframe locking bolt kit (Group-A) Instructions (for Group-A) specifically say to torque down the bolts with no load on the suspension.

03-18-2008, 07:01 AM	#10
amg destroyer GUNNIN' IT Car: '05 STi Fav Mod: Sparco seat Location: OC Posts: 3,906 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: How To: Install Subframe locking bolt kit (Group-A) Just a word to everyone that is planning on buying these: they greatly increase NVH. Its not unbearable, but noticeable, and I acutally like it more this way...