Have any of you guys experienced this much rot/rust near/on the passenger side sub-frame where the sway bar connects to the chassis? I feel it could be unsafe. its due to the sunroof drain which located right above, as pointed out. Is this a straight forward replacement,as I'm also replacing my tranny so the first sub frame would have to come out anyways...

Is it still intact? i.e safe if i just remove the rust off or replacement is required?

How can we extend the drain so that it doesn't pour onto the sub frame?
thoughts,comments,concerns welcome.

 

It looks superficial to me. Just use a stiff wire brush and scrub the loose rust off. Then clean it real good with CRC throttle body cleaner. Be careful, that stuff is extremely flammable. Once it's clean and dry, just scuff up the area with a red Scotch Brite pad. Then just primer and paint. There are paint that's made especially for rust, be sure to use that kind. Ask the sales person for a recommendation at the hardware store.

You can extend the tube by using a tube connector. A pic is below. Just push the extender in half way on the old piece and connect it to the new piece. Make it long as you like.

 

 

If you want to take the rust prevention a step further, try a rust conversion like Rust Mort, Por 15 paint or products by Eastwood. For example, rust mort reacts with surface rust to create a paintable surface that does not rust further.

I have used a wire wheel down to metal, rust mort on areas that cant be hit with the wheel, then prime and paint.

Eastwood makes a great product for coating/converting the inside of your frame rails / hard to access areas:
Internal Frame Coating w/Spray Nozzle | Eastwood

 

 

Ok, thats good to hear ! I will completly treat the area ,I want this car to really last,one amazing one,'cause I am worried about this happening ...

 

If you want it to last, finish it off with 3M automotive seam sealant. That will keep the moisture out for sure.

 

Oh, where do I apply that? i dont see any seams/joints.

 

You can use it anywhere you want. It's not just for seams.

Us it to form a barrier on top of the new painted area. Make sure its dry, then brush on the seam sealer and finish it off with Transtar undercoating (spray can).

 

I was worried about this... but seems my PS fluid when it was leaking from the high pressure hose leaved an oily base on top of the subframe protecting it from the A/C water No signs of rust anywhere.


In any case I shall extend that hose so the water drips to the street directly, Thanks to this thread I remembered I was going to do that some years ago.

 

Oil leaks saved my subframe as well (234K) didn't bother cleaning it off after the repair, water just glides off.