Hi all

New member here but been on here many times over the years for my focus using tutorials etc.

My focus mk2 facelift has failed on rear trailing arm bush's. I originally planned to do them on my drive using a pressing tool, got under there the weekend and the subframe is badly rotted. It's not failed on rot but kinda thinking this will be my next issue tbh.

I had the thought, maybe get a subframe from another focus that's in much better condition and swap it? Maybe one that has discs too?

Last year i did the front control arms and both clutch and cambelt has been done, be sorry to not keep her on the road a little longer!

 

 

 

Yeah, good luck on that one, I've got a mk3 Mondeo estate and the rear 'subframe' - actually on the estate it's a crossmember not a subframe - is made of unobtainium, so I'm kinda paranoid about losing it so brush it annually with engine oil mixed with waxoyl. So far so good..... Do you plan to do something with it before the days get too chilly to work on it? 

Mk2 Focus subframes are easy enough to swap.  Can be bought for around £200 new though there are plenty of used ones still available.

They are the same for both drums & discs.  If you want to change brakes at the same time you'll need the arms and hubs still fitted as well which make the complete assembly very heavy to move in one lump.  I'd do that separately personally.

Is it as easy as just plug and play if changing over from drums to disks? Won't there be some sort of brake balancing to reduce the braking force applied to the rears if disks are fitted in place of drums? 

15 minutes ago, nicam49 said:

Is it as easy as just plug and play if changing over from drums to disks? Won't there be some sort of brake balancing to reduce the braking force applied to the rears if disks are fitted in place of drums? 

There was on older cars.  But by Mk2 Focus the brake balance is done through the ABS/ESP system.  Known as EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution).

If taking the complete rear end setup from another car, the only things left to change on the 'car side' are brake pipes and handbrake cables iirc.

My subframe experience...

 

20 hours ago, nicam49 said:

Yeah, good luck on that one, I've got a mk3 Mondeo estate and the rear 'subframe' - actually on the estate it's a crossmember not a subframe - is made of unobtainium, so I'm kinda paranoid about losing it so brush it annually with engine oil mixed with waxoyl. So far so good..... Do you plan to do something with it before the days get too chilly to work on it? 

Yea i was hoping to get the lot swapped out before the weather gets worse but its getting cold fast!

9 hours ago, StephenFord said:

My subframe experience...

 

Jeez thats a seriously rotted subframe, sad to say mine looks a lot like it. The body isnt too bad from what i have seen without removing panels. 

10 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Mk2 Focus subframes are easy enough to swap.  Can be bought for around £200 new though there are plenty of used ones still available.

They are the same for both drums & discs.  If you want to change brakes at the same time you'll need the arms and hubs still fitted as well which make the complete assembly very heavy to move in one lump.  I'd do that separately personally.

Thanks, so i can pretty much source a subframe and mix and match. I might get one prepped this year and get it fitted early next. How are the bolts to get out of the chassis to release the subframe? Id imagine the ones inside the spring cup are the worst.

12 hours ago, reliableshtbox said:

Thanks, so i can pretty much source a subframe and mix and match. I might get one prepped this year and get it fitted early next. How are the bolts to get out of the chassis to release the subframe? Id imagine the ones inside the spring cup are the worst.

The subframe bolts generally aren't too bad on Mk2s but will depend on each car.  The lower arm bolts are usually rusted solid though.  They'll either snap or need cutting off.

On 10/1/2024 at 9:25 AM, TomsFocus said:

The subframe bolts generally aren't too bad on Mk2s but will depend on each car.  The lower arm bolts are usually rusted solid though.  They'll either snap or need cutting off.

Those rusted ones i can deal with once the frame is off. Long as i can get it off im willing to fight with it.

Looks like i need to have ashop about then and get the subframe.

In terms of general rot on these cars, is there anywhere hiding that i should check to see how bad the chassis is? Visually under it, it just seems like suface rust from what i can see, nothing as bad as the lower arms. 

11 hours ago, reliableshtbox said:

In terms of general rot on these cars, is there anywhere hiding that i should check to see how bad the chassis is? Visually under it, it just seems like suface rust from what i can see, nothing as bad as the lower arms. 

The sills rust from the inside out and are usually the first place to go.  Easy to see on lower spec models but if you've got sill covers/side skirts you may want to remove those for a poke around.

2 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

The sills rust from the inside out and are usually the first place to go. ...

I have experience of that 🤣