As you discovered, the Range and Coercion properties of controls do not work when used in sub-vis.
Your best option is to go ahead and build your range checking into your sub-vis. If it�s something you will be doing a lot, just make your range checking a sub-vi and drop it where needed. This will keep the clutter to a minimum. You may end up with more than one range checking VI if you need different functionality, but this will still make less clutter and easier re-use.
Ed

Ed Dickens - Certified LabVIEW Architect
Lockheed Martin Space
Using the Abort button to stop your VI is like using a tree to stop your car. It works, but there may be consequences.