Anyone have a suggestion for a mechanic near Glasgow to do a rear subframe replacement?

I've got a 2011 Outback with 52,000 miles in otherwise great condition. Want to get it repaired to get a few more years out of the car.

I got a quote from Duncan at Hypertech, he seems a great guy, but it is 1k more than I'd budgeted.

So far, other mechanics in Glasgow won't even take on the job, let alone give a quote...

Questions
- should I just pay the higher rate for the better work & service at Hypertech
- should I try a Subaru dealership
- are there any other Subaru mechanics that might have a more competitive price

And it seems that replacement parts are on back-order. Any advice on that?

Thanks!

 

If no one else is willing to give a quote perhaps the price from Hypertech isn’t in fact a higher rate for the job. A subframe replacement isn’t a 5 minute job and there are lots of troublesome bolts that could be seized (very likely when you’re having to replace the subframe due to corrosion) so any quote will have to take that into account. If you don’t like the price quoted and can’t find it cheaper the only options are to do it yourself or not get it done.

Not sure what advice somebody can give regarding back ordered parts. You either manage to find someone with the part available now (unlikely) or order the parts and wait.

 

Thanks for your reply, sorry I should have been more clear - I've not tried another Imported car or Subaru mechanic - just a couple of locals neighbours have suggested.

Any suggestions for other Subaru mechanics is welcome FYI the price was £2,500

 

£2500 really could be considered “reasonable” depending on exactly what the quote includes. It’s likely new bolts and bushes could be needed in several places, I’d expect new diff oil and probably new axle seals, a wheel alignment would be needed and let’s not ignore the cost (extra time) of fighting all the seized parts or the cost of the subframe itself.

It’s a job I would expect many garages to turn down.

 

Try Steve at SW Motorsport, Loanhead, just outside Edinburgh. Top Subaru mechanic! You can find him on Facebook.
Google search SW Motorsport Edinburgh
Tel +44 7956 119962
If he'll do it for you, you won't regret it! Pretty sure he will beat the Hypertech quote!

 

£2500
subframe should costs around 400 new
I paid for job 550 on my sti but in reality it should be below 500 quid thats including job to swap to new hardrace arms,perrin lockdown kit -bushes and bolts.
diff oil costs 20 quid ,2 nuts 15 min job worth maybe 30 quid when doing subframe.
Bolts are aesy to remove even on old cars, doubt he needs to touch the ones on hub if it's similar setup like on impreza sti.
New bolts will cost maybe 60-80
Underside resto on scoob costs 5k, all subframes,arms,fuel tank removed powdercoted ,new bushes fitted.
Those 2.5k quote is way to high

 

Hey 2011!
Did you get anywhere?

I'm a Mechanic, in Scotland with Subaru experience but I'm way to busy to offer, lol!

I've recently had the subframe off my older Forester. Having read the other comments, I would say you get what you pay for! If I was unable to do the work myself, knowing what I know I'd be going to Hypertech or similar. Heres why...

If you take it to Hypertech or a Subaru dealer you get an experienced mechanic who will do a decent job. It will be more expensive but it will be done right and if there are any problems you have some comeback.
There are no doubt places that will do it for £500 but how well will they do it? I'm not saying every cheap garage is a cowboy but your chances of finding a good one are sadly far less.

Imagine you were buying a parachute. £1000 for one that is made by a company with a decent reputation or £200 for one off ebay?!

Another thing to consider is, with a big job like that is stuff goes wrong. Bolts that looked fine at the start are stuck in bushes, clips break, bleed screws snap, corrosion barely noticable before is uncovered and looks scary. Issues you never even thought of suddenly appear.
My 1999 Forester came apart far better than some 5 year old Subarus I've worked on, and they probably all looked newer and better to start with. If your subframe has corroded to the point it needs replacing, remember most of the things bolted to it are the same age and have done the same mileage, over the same speed bumps on the same salty roads.

Finally, how far do you intend going? Do you want a 2nd hand subframe (where bushes and bolts may be siezed) a cheap pattern one (that might not be the right guage steel or may not line up correctly) or an expensive genuine one (that will no doubt be suppied bare meaning you need to swap everything over) While the subframes off do you want to put it back together without undersealing it? Why not chnge the brake pipes/fuel tank while its apart? If the job is done correctly, a full alignment will be done. Are the track rod ends going to move freely?

When I worked at Subaru, Legacys up to 10 years old were recalled to have rear brake pipes checked and in some cases repaired. As part of the recall we were told we could replace any parts that broke in the course of changing the pipes. The amount of filler necks, subframe bushes, rear arms, UJs, exhausts and bolts, brake pipe clips, handbrake cable clips, bleed screws we had to change was unreal.

Let us know how you are getting on.

 

Any mechanic can undo few bolts that holds subframe to a car and another few from links and other parts blocking access to it.
Allingment after is piece of cake.

I could do subframe swap on my driveway myself but decided to go easy and pay.
Picture below shows old subframe of my hawk what difficulty You expect to have removing 12 bolts?few more for t-bar etc.
There are 2 bolts difficult to remove called God Sent bolts but cut ,some heat and air hammer will make it easy to remove.


Outback looks different but there are maybe 2 more bolts but there are no God sent bolts to remove. After removal mechanic will put new subframe and bolts,easy job.
No idea what You changed as new subframes comes with new bushes fitted and its not that expensive.
Others buy used trailing arms or used cars like 20 y old Spec C and-according to them- there is nothing wrong with arms etc doubt he will need new for Outback.
I prefered to refresh them all on my car.


My car had engine work.
In a meantime i bought new front subframe than they found steering rack leak-bought that to.
Plus powdercoating sway bars f/r
new heavy duty front drop links ,steering rack and sway bar bushes,fitting alk,rollcentre kit etc I paid 900 for a job including powdercoating less than 2 years ago at flatt4performance.
Thats 1450 for above front and rear on my scoob where i could do it myself if i will have lift and im not mechanic.

I did front and rear big brake kits swap ,coilovers,rear strut ,abs sensor-my error trapped wire under bracket doing trailing arms,rear drop links,brakes fluid,diffs oil,gearbox oil,engine oil,radiator,intercooler to have access to lambda,bumper off,lights off, gearbox bushes,electrical works-deffis rewire,camera etc ,fitted properly 1000W sound system-did way better job than shop did on my previous car.
There is absolutely nothing mechanically difficult to do on a scoob ,way easier when You have a lift.
It is possible to remove an engine in 1h if You know what You are doing and all goes smooth.
For rear subframe ,links ,diff bushes, front roll centre, alk, caliper nipple leaking with brakes fluid change Tdr quote was 1040+vat but decided to go with others.

The place i use charged me in the past 130 for cambelt job where others asked 400.
Now i see some ask 900- 1k for cambelt and coolant including a kit which costs 200 quid,some prices are a joke,any friend mechanic can do it,Yes it is crucial job but easy on scoob.
For example forging engine job costs 2500 plus parts and skimm job etc -cheapest forged engine assembled with parts costs approx 4500( mine spec was 6800 ) plus removing and fitting engine at flatt4 was 650 quid.
Subaru has different prices.
650 for engine out/in vs 2500 for rear subframe swap even including new is a robberry