ALL bugeyes suffer from rotten subframe syndrome.

I have lost count of the number I have seen.

The U frame and the front cross member are usual culprits, along with the rear subframe.

I wouldn't let that put you off buying the car if the rest of it is fine, just allow a few quid off the asking price.

 

I'd put the reg up, but I've forgotten it now and I've no way of checking any longer I'm afraid. It was VX52... something.

The next owner wrote to me a month or so after I took it back, having found it odd that I'd only owned it for five days. I gave him all the details and off he went to see if it had been repaired. He had an AA or RAC check done on it and they reckoned it was okay.

However, I wonder if they bothered to take the undertray and inner wing covers off to look properly, but I doubt it somehow, and you couldn't see it had been bodged without doing that.

He'd also been given a **** and bull story by the dealer, which he was convinced was true, about the brakes being 'racing ones that need to be warmed up before they work properly'. Nothing to do with them being completely knackered of course.

I found a load out from the MoT history site, including how it had failed in mid-January 2011 for 'dangerous brakes' and miraculously passed a week later with 'minor pitting to brake discs', no work apparently having been done.

If the dealer hadn't given me a full refund, I'd have taken it to court and he'd have been right in the mire. I think he knew it too.

 

Repaired one similar to this 3 weeks ago, had a new subframe/engine cradle & all the weld in panels under the radiator cost about £1300 to repair inc labour

 

Well that's scared the sh*t out of me! I'm worried enough as it is looking for a scooby! lol

 

i have an 02 sti, and its rusting like paper,., my local mechanic's going to call subaru for the price

 

You really gotta keep these Japanese cars clean underneath, regardless of whether they're imports or built for the European markets. I have a 2005 STi and theres spots of rust here and there.

In comparison, my wife's 1999 Golf, doesn't have a speck of rust underneath.

 

I'm trying to sort out all the rusty bits underneath my 2005 car too. It's amazing how they go so quickly. There's nothing serious yet, but it wouldn't be too long before there was if I left it.

 

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

heres how my old one looked like

 

Hi all

I have a 01 uk300 Bug and yes I have the same problem,not quite as bad as op but still will need changing for mot in January...changing being the key word..I have been told by 2 people that the sub frame is not required and can take it off with no detriment. Been told its really there to hold the under trays etc...???

 

tep took mine off two years ago. Alls fine without it

 

That'll do for me,not that I didn't believe my guys.....cheers

 

If anyone is after one I have one here that is surplus to requirements.....

Been prepped, primed and painted

 

Hi how much you after and where are you....

 

£80 quid, I'm down near Maidstone in Kent..... if someone wanted to arrange their own courier then thats fine, Only reason I advertised it as collection only as it cost me £30 postage when I brought it...

 

I take it youve no undertray now then?if you need the u frame to fit it?

 

No my undertray went way before i took the subframe off as my headers melted it lol

 

Fair enuff

 

is this still for sale?

 

Just had my 04 wrx done pretty much same situation it's a subframe replace but good news u don't need to take engine out

 

My 2003 Blob STi was in for undersealing and found rusty horseshoe subframe and the one that holds steering rack etc. was holed. I've ordered up a good condition one from Jap Performance Parts and will have it powdercoated. The horsehoe one will be rubbed down and painted as it wasn't so bad.

It seems like most of the cars in the UK have rusted subframes...

 

On my 2005 Blob, I took mine off, dunked it in a plasterer's bath:

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand...0/sd140/p64497

Filled with this:

http://www.bilthamber.com/deox-c

And, after a couple of weeks of patient washing down and re-dunking (hint - don't rub the rust off in the Deox-C bath - it contaminates it more quickly, take it outside and hose it down), I coated it in this:

http://www.bilthamber.com/paints-and-coatings/electrox

And finally black Hammerite 'Smoothrite'.

Then I pumped a load of this inside:

http://www.bilthamber.com/cavity-waxes/dynax-s50

That should hold it for a bit!

 

I wonder what state the car I started off this topic with is in now...?

 

Well, my subframe arrived from Jap Performance Parts.... WOW.. it's like new, off a low mileage import and seriously a bargain at £85... It's now off to be powder coated, although it doesn't really need it, better to do it properly...

 

As already mentioned, the U frame originally posted isnt necessary and can be removed. Saves a little weight with no side effects. I will be removing mine soon as it has the rust on the passenger side(more puddles on that side I guess).

 

I'm leaving mine on, it's there for impact protection saving engine and trans moving back towards firewall. Also, it holds the undertray and I prefer to have that on to stop debris and also aid aerodynamics.

I'm a firm believer if those ever so clever Japanese engineers designed it that way, it's there for a reason... If mine is too far gone for wire brush/hammerite/underseal then will get another one and have it powdercoated also...

 

being so far under the engine, I doubt it would be much of a saviour.

The same guys that saw no need to put a plastic cover on the inner bootlid, a steering wheel adjustment that lifts the wheel barely over my legs and an cat in the uppipe, were two others not good enough?
I understand what you are saying though. I wonder did they ever test without it.

 

It's meant to be under the engine, it's to stop engine and transmission being forced back into the firewall. I've seen enough crashed cars to know that I'd rather have it there. In the event of a crash, if the insurance assessor finds that that subframe has been removed, I'm sure they'd void your claim.

 

Yes I still have this if interested

 

These rot out all the time and we probably sold 6 or 7 this year. They are a ridiculous price from Subaru - something well over 500 quid and YES it is an MOT fail. BUT if you take it off, it doesn't appear to make any difference to the way the cars behaves and if it ain't there it cannot fail the MOT, cos not all cars have them . It isn't fitted to Spec C's.

David APi

 

I am no mechanic but clearly from those pics the car is a complete mess!

So glad for you that you got a refund. That was a close call.

A lesson for all of us I guess.