PSA Check rear subframe to body mounts for rust if you live anywhere near the salt belt

[Shadow351]

So I picked up a nail driving through a construction site on the way home from work today. I put the car up on jack stands to find the tire damage and while doing so, this rust caught my eye. It is hidden up behind the rear wheel liner so I had to remove that to get a good look. It is where the rear subframe bolts to the body under the rear doors. The car appears nearly rust free otherwise, so this may become a trouble rust area. If you live somewhere they salt the roads, you may want to give this area a look over.

 

[Texas Marauder]

Wow, that's serious damage. No way to repair that.

 

[Shadow351]

My uncle is a professional welder and he said he thinks he can fix it, so rather than just scrapping the car, we're gonna give it a try. It is gonna remain parked for now though.

 

[luigisho]

holy sh--it that is really bad. I'm glad you caught it before something happened at speed.

 

[Texas Marauder]

My uncle is a professional welder and he said he thinks he can fix it, so rather than just scrapping the car, we're gonna give it a try. It is gonna remain parked for now though.

The problem is getting to solid metal to weld to. How much rusted metal needs to be cut out?

 

[kryptto]

So I am trying to understand exactly where this is, maybe others will need to hose that area out while cleaning.

May i ask did you undercoat? I have seen a bit that talks about it being a source of salt accelerated damage.

Sorry for that news, if it was me - I can't imagine the cost or possibility to remediate. Having someone if your possible lifesaver, however it isn't in a good place.

 

[Shadow351]

The problem is getting to solid metal to weld to. How much rusted metal needs to be cut out?

Metal looks solid just a few inches in each direction, so hopefully not too much needs cut out.

So I am trying to understand exactly where this is, maybe others will need to hose that area out while cleaning.

May i ask did you undercoat? I have seen a bit that talks about it being a source of salt accelerated damage.

Sorry for that news, if it was me - I can't imagine the cost or possibility to remediate. Having someone if your possible lifesaver, however it isn't in a good place.

It is the point where the rear sub frame mounts to the unibody of the car. There are 2 large bolts that go through a bushing in the subframe and into the body of the car. That bushing is the one in the photos.

No undercoating. The rubber undercoating can seal in moisture and accelerate rust. I did plan on having it Crown'd or Fluid Filmed (lanolin oil coating) but never got around to it.

 

[kryptto]

No undercoating. The rubber undercoating can seal in moisture and accelerate rust. I did plan on having it Crown'd or Fluid Filmed (lanolin oil coating) but never got around to it.

Good luck in this endeavor, let us know how it turns out.

 

[Shadow351]

Just a couple more photos to give a better idea of the location. These were taken at the passengers rear wheel well.



I'm planning on picking up a set of quick jacks to lift the car off the subframe, but it'll be a 'when I get around to it' project as my schedule is pretty much full for the rest of the year.

 

[kryptto]

Yack... thanks for clarifying good luck keep us informed.

 

[Shadow351]

Got the rear subframe out and the bolts are sleeved through the 'frame rail' that is rotted out, so probably not as much risk as I initially thought. Dropping the subframe wasn't as difficult as I expected (thanks to the quick jacks) but a couple of the bolts for the "subframe reinforcement brackets" broke off in the body, so I'm working on those right now.

 

[kryptto]

Got the rear subframe out and the bolts are sleeved through the 'frame rail' that is rotted out, so probably not as much risk as I initially thought. Dropping the subframe wasn't as difficult as I expected (thanks to the quick jacks) but a couple of the bolts for the "subframe reinforcement brackets" broke off in the body, so I'm working on those right now.

Wow....good luck

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

My car was a snowbird car, service records from ford showing ny and fl in the same year at the right times, wondering if this is where my "clunk" in the rear is coming from, if not the rust maybe just the bushing. everything is iron tight suspension wise so ill be looking into this, thank you for the post

 

[kryptto]

My car was a snowbird car, service records from ford showing ny and fl in the same year at the right times, wondering if this is where my "clunk" in the rear is coming from, if not the rust maybe just the bushing. everything is iron tight suspension wise so ill be looking into this, thank you for the post

Yeah pull back that wheel well cover in the rear. Glad he posted his update.

 

[jtreber]

Got the rear subframe out and the bolts are sleeved through the 'frame rail' that is rotted out, so probably not as much risk as I initially thought. Dropping the subframe wasn't as difficult as I expected (thanks to the quick jacks) but a couple of the bolts for the "subframe reinforcement brackets" broke off in the body, so I'm working on those right now.

Quick Jack, one of my better investments.