This car is a 1974 XJ12. (But also applies to any year XJ6 and XJS).

I just had to drop the rear subframe to replace calipers, shocks and subframe mounts and thought I’d add this tip for future searchers. There’s plenty of info on steps to dropping the subframe, so I don’t have anything to add, but after subframe went back in, the control arms didn’t line up to the body mounts. So I hooked a ratchet strap to a hole in the front body pan (could also be the front subframe) and then ratcheted the rear subframe forward til the control arms




lined up. It only took a couple of clicks on the ratchet but there was no way it would’ve moved without that strap pulling.

 

HA! What an idea!
Mine were SO close, so I just put a jack under them (lots of slip-free on both parts) and raised them until they popped up and seated.
I like your idea Much better, elegantly simple!

You do realize that you must Not tighten the small bolts of the arms until you have the axle jacked up so the arms are level?
(';')

 

Thanks! And yes, all bolts are loose until on the ground and driven a few feet to loosen things

 

Thanks for the TIP.
I am getting ready to drop mine to replace the calipers. the bleeder nipple sheared off on one of my calipers, so new ones are going in.
I will also be replacing the radius arm and the subframe rubbers at the same time.
The over axle exhaust pipe is the part that I have to figure out first.
I may take it to an exhaust shop and have them loosen the flanges of the over axle pipe and/or remove it and temporarily hang the rest of the exhaust pipe so I can drive the car back home.
Since the over axle pipe looks OEM to me, it just might be a pain to remove with just jackstands under the car.

 

My XJ6 lined up perfect, XJS I had to use the ratchet strap method.

 

Strap and the associated stress on the bushing is not needed. Another way is to lower the car on to the ground or uses jack stands under the control arms so the suspension is sitting at normal ride height, then the control arms will be in the right place and slip on easily.

This is also why so many have reported trouble removing the same, they are under tension when jacked up.

 

I took PKWise's suggestion and also enlisted the great help of a fellow forum member, Steve Masey.
We dropped it out with no muss, no fuss...now the work begins.
WJ