Project Rotted Subaru Subframe - Part III
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Date: 2022-12-18
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Comments and reviews: 14
Chris
Looking at the alignment screen reminded me of the time my brother's car had to have the subframe dropped to fix an oil leak. The local stealership finally fixed the leak after the third attempt, all under warranty.
My brother then went on a tour across Germany and had 2 tyres fail 800 miles from home. The very helpful tyre guy couldn't get the tyres until Monday (this was late Friday afternoon. The nearest hotel with vacancies was 10 miles away, the tyres completely gave out opposite the hotel. A guy pulled up to help, it was the tyre guy on his way home in the same village. He arranged to pick up the wheels on Monday morning, get the new tyres fitted and return with them. Come Monday morning, he couldn't get the wheels off because there was no locking wheel nut key. The stealership hadn't replaced it.
After finally getting it fixed and getting home he took it to a place who could check the alignment. The camber on one side (the side which completely failed) was a mile out, the stealership had obviously never checked it. What's worse, the alignment guy could see why it was out - they hadn't replaced the subframe in the same place it came from, the marks from the bolts were clear to see.
But what's the worst thing? My brother keeps going back there because he gets a good deal. Personally I don't call causing problems which could have killed him if the tyres had failed on the Autobahn a good deal.
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Looking at the alignment screen reminded me of the time my brother's car had to have the subframe dropped to fix an oil leak. The local stealership finally fixed the leak after the third attempt, all under warranty.
My brother then went on a tour across Germany and had 2 tyres fail 800 miles from home. The very helpful tyre guy couldn't get the tyres until Monday (this was late Friday afternoon. The nearest hotel with vacancies was 10 miles away, the tyres completely gave out opposite the hotel. A guy pulled up to help, it was the tyre guy on his way home in the same village. He arranged to pick up the wheels on Monday morning, get the new tyres fitted and return with them. Come Monday morning, he couldn't get the wheels off because there was no locking wheel nut key. The stealership hadn't replaced it.
After finally getting it fixed and getting home he took it to a place who could check the alignment. The camber on one side (the side which completely failed) was a mile out, the stealership had obviously never checked it. What's worse, the alignment guy could see why it was out - they hadn't replaced the subframe in the same place it came from, the marks from the bolts were clear to see.
But what's the worst thing? My brother keeps going back there because he gets a good deal. Personally I don't call causing problems which could have killed him if the tyres had failed on the Autobahn a good deal.
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terry
In a prior vid, someone asked what your boy I assume they meant Josh does and was he not able to do diag? Well, if he does tire m and b, tire repair, oil changes, chassis work, brakes, and alignment he will stay busy. Just front end work and alignments in the PRNY with all the pot hole families that populate your roads plus the rusty fasteners would keep him busy from start to quit on most days. AND. A good alignment TECH is worth his weight in gold and equally as hard to find. I'm sure you know how lucky you are to have him. .Also, good call on the customers part to fix the Subbie rest of the car looks good, should serve him well for years to come. GREAT SERIES, THANKS.
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In a prior vid, someone asked what your boy I assume they meant Josh does and was he not able to do diag? Well, if he does tire m and b, tire repair, oil changes, chassis work, brakes, and alignment he will stay busy. Just front end work and alignments in the PRNY with all the pot hole families that populate your roads plus the rusty fasteners would keep him busy from start to quit on most days. AND. A good alignment TECH is worth his weight in gold and equally as hard to find. I'm sure you know how lucky you are to have him. .Also, good call on the customers part to fix the Subbie rest of the car looks good, should serve him well for years to come. GREAT SERIES, THANKS.
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Eskie
Eric, you provided a great explanation (in another video) on whether this job was financially worth it. Numbers-wise, I sure think so, judging by current prices on new & used cars, the fact that it's a Subaru Outback with a decent drivetrain & body, and last but not least, it appears you're in central/upstate New York (both sides of my family came from there. Lot of folks have been driving Subarus up there for a long time, and they do so for a reason. So, the subframe replacement was a good financial choice, and thanks for a great set of videos on the subframe replacement!
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Eric, you provided a great explanation (in another video) on whether this job was financially worth it. Numbers-wise, I sure think so, judging by current prices on new & used cars, the fact that it's a Subaru Outback with a decent drivetrain & body, and last but not least, it appears you're in central/upstate New York (both sides of my family came from there. Lot of folks have been driving Subarus up there for a long time, and they do so for a reason. So, the subframe replacement was a good financial choice, and thanks for a great set of videos on the subframe replacement!
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Dominick
Loved that one nice to see a pull apart and put back together. Great to see you brought in the professional to help you. Sometimes forget you have the rest of the garage going when you are working on one car. The only thing that can hold me back from trying things is getting the Torque specs for the bolts can be a bit daunting. Do you use a pay as you go site to get these. Just a happy Christmas to you and the family and the work force there and a happy healthy new year. God keep you all safe and well.
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Loved that one nice to see a pull apart and put back together. Great to see you brought in the professional to help you. Sometimes forget you have the rest of the garage going when you are working on one car. The only thing that can hold me back from trying things is getting the Torque specs for the bolts can be a bit daunting. Do you use a pay as you go site to get these. Just a happy Christmas to you and the family and the work force there and a happy healthy new year. God keep you all safe and well.
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ToughAncientSpark
This is a case of small business consciousness in how much do you encourage the customer to replace parts that should be while you have everything apart and they just pay a one time labor fee plus the cost of the parts.
It must be killing him not to tell the customer to replace a bunch more parts while you're there but on the other hand telling a customer too much scares them away and makes them feel like you just think of them as a money printing machine and trying to rip them off.
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This is a case of small business consciousness in how much do you encourage the customer to replace parts that should be while you have everything apart and they just pay a one time labor fee plus the cost of the parts.
It must be killing him not to tell the customer to replace a bunch more parts while you're there but on the other hand telling a customer too much scares them away and makes them feel like you just think of them as a money printing machine and trying to rip them off.
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Jon
Thanks for publishing the short videos showing why the sub-frame was replaced. I admit I wondered why myself but had confidence you had a good reason (based on watching you behavior for several years. If the skeptics had been paying attentions as I did, you lighting during removal gave a couple brief views where the light illuminated the inside of the sub-frame and rays escaped via the rot openings. Oh thee of little faith please remain silent.
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Thanks for publishing the short videos showing why the sub-frame was replaced. I admit I wondered why myself but had confidence you had a good reason (based on watching you behavior for several years. If the skeptics had been paying attentions as I did, you lighting during removal gave a couple brief views where the light illuminated the inside of the sub-frame and rays escaped via the rot openings. Oh thee of little faith please remain silent.
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zoidberg444
This was a great series Eric - made a bit of a change from the usual content. Sorry the arm chair mechanics came out of the wood work having a go at you. I certainly noticed the holes in the sides of the sub frame and knowing what a state the car industry is in at the moment that it was pretty much fix this or walk given the shortage of new vehicles and how inflated prices are at the moment.
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This was a great series Eric - made a bit of a change from the usual content. Sorry the arm chair mechanics came out of the wood work having a go at you. I certainly noticed the holes in the sides of the sub frame and knowing what a state the car industry is in at the moment that it was pretty much fix this or walk given the shortage of new vehicles and how inflated prices are at the moment.
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Embermist69
Speaking of Astro, I had a pleasant experience on the phone with them a few days ago. Bought one of their products and the case closures broke during shipping. Called their number and I figured I would get a automated system. But talked to actual live folks and they got me squared away. That s A++ right their in my book.
And also the Subaru will leave for a few more years.
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Speaking of Astro, I had a pleasant experience on the phone with them a few days ago. Bought one of their products and the case closures broke during shipping. Called their number and I figured I would get a automated system. But talked to actual live folks and they got me squared away. That s A++ right their in my book.
And also the Subaru will leave for a few more years.
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Michael
I really loved this extended work series, Eric. Now, the owner gets a Subaru with more life, and no car payments, a work project for anyone considering scrapping their car because of similar issues this vehicle suffered. A merry christmas and happy new year to you Eric and your loving family. It's always a pleasure peeking in on the next job you document for us.
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I really loved this extended work series, Eric. Now, the owner gets a Subaru with more life, and no car payments, a work project for anyone considering scrapping their car because of similar issues this vehicle suffered. A merry christmas and happy new year to you Eric and your loving family. It's always a pleasure peeking in on the next job you document for us.
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Scott
The Suby lives for another few years, anyway. Nice job, and you had the experience to realize it was worth doing, I don't know I would have been as open minded to fixing it, but you made the right call.
I was amazed how cheap the subframe was, figured the shipping would have been prohibitive, never mind the cost of an OEM subframe.
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The Suby lives for another few years, anyway. Nice job, and you had the experience to realize it was worth doing, I don't know I would have been as open minded to fixing it, but you made the right call.
I was amazed how cheap the subframe was, figured the shipping would have been prohibitive, never mind the cost of an OEM subframe.
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Tom
Eric O thank you for the financial discussion. I always _knew_ that your work makes economic sense. I had no idea just how much you save your customers. Good job man. You are essential to the economic health of many families, and can take pride in keeping their vehicles on the road so that they can get to their jobs.
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Eric O thank you for the financial discussion. I always _knew_ that your work makes economic sense. I had no idea just how much you save your customers. Good job man. You are essential to the economic health of many families, and can take pride in keeping their vehicles on the road so that they can get to their jobs.
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AMStationEngineer
But the paint doesn't match, it's too dark, sorry, Eric, but The Devil Made Me Do It! The complexity of this replacement+repair, and the price-point at which it was performed, reflects an excellent value for the money! Eric and family, may you have a most enjoyable Christmas and New Year's season!
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But the paint doesn't match, it's too dark, sorry, Eric, but The Devil Made Me Do It! The complexity of this replacement+repair, and the price-point at which it was performed, reflects an excellent value for the money! Eric and family, may you have a most enjoyable Christmas and New Year's season!
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Sparky
good job last another 10 years i got a problem with my right rear brake replace pads grinding brake lubricant on pads drive it for a while grinding is back what do i do wrong dealer cant fit it dont like when they i dont know what the problem is cant fix it 2003 Santa Fe she lives in the garage
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good job last another 10 years i got a problem with my right rear brake replace pads grinding brake lubricant on pads drive it for a while grinding is back what do i do wrong dealer cant fit it dont like when they i dont know what the problem is cant fix it 2003 Santa Fe she lives in the garage
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Seamas
I'm trying to think what a job like this would cost. That Subaru sub frame must run a pretty packet by itself. Thinking it's a NY 8 year old car vs buying something else but I'm sure you gave the customer all the pros and cons on that. An amazing amount of effort. Mr O rides again.
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I'm trying to think what a job like this would cost. That Subaru sub frame must run a pretty packet by itself. Thinking it's a NY 8 year old car vs buying something else but I'm sure you gave the customer all the pros and cons on that. An amazing amount of effort. Mr O rides again.
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