Linx Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 I've been working on the car today. I knew I was going to have to get the radiator out to patch up the rot in the part of the body the aircon radiator sits on. It was worse than I thought though. Not much of it left! Is this normal behavior for a 2003 89K mile Scuby or does it mean my radiator has been leaking for ages? I see this bit has a part number but it's welded in and I can only find American web sites listing it. For now I will repair it with aluminium mesh and GRP. I'm going to get a new rad as well. Only £75 from EuroCarParts at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudson Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 Christ that is bad! Once a suby gets past 10years old it's advisable to lose the undertray as it speeds up rust areas on the subframe and front supports considerably unless it's all been rust protected very well. I recently gave all that area a coating of hammerite as mine was still all in one piece thankfully! My next to step is to have all the under of the car and arches cleaned up and given a treatment of dinitrol corrosion protection. Import car parts have the weld in part but have no stock on the shelf so you would need to ring them for availability https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/parts-info?id=11459&cat=96&sub=183&sec=349&var=85&dc=0&gen=&searchKey=&searchPart= 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linx Posted May 28, 2017 Author Share Posted May 28, 2017 Thanks for that Hudson 👍. Sent from my HTC Desire 530 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linx Posted June 1, 2017 Author Share Posted June 1, 2017 Repair done. It's not brilliant cosmetically but much better than it was. Should last a few years. Clayed and waxed car while I was at it . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isle Dweller Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 Did you ever get an answer to your question about the radiator support bracket?.I've got a Legacy with the same problem.The first time I noticed this I repaired it with the same method you've suggested and covered it up again.Five MOT's later there is even less metal and I joined this site to look for answers .Is this bracket even testsed for MOT or is it dare I say structual!.If anyone knows plesae let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isle Dweller Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 Oh and are all Subaru's ,one size fits all when it comes to these ,what the Americans call ,"slam panels"?.Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted December 30, 2024 Share Posted December 30, 2024 It obviously got some structural role as it ties leg rails together and is rather beefy if purely for component mounting. It is an area that can fall out of mot when not within 30cm testable area . Bad point of tester seeing real heavy rot is will make them more diligent look elsewhere on vehicle for similar corrosion . It super easy chop worst or all of it out and fab one up out of some box section or u channel and flat sheet metal . New panels are only around £120 If wanting real cheap repair if find a scrap car with clean lower rad support panel you can chop out what needed and graft it into yours for small costs . I call what the yanks call the slam panel the upper support panel that the top radiator brackets bolt to and the bonnet latches into . The lower one I call lower radiator support panel . Not all models same part but they do cross to some extent . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linx Posted December 30, 2024 Author Share Posted December 30, 2024 3 hours ago, Isle Dweller said: Did you ever get an answer to your question about the radiator support bracket?.I've got a Legacy with the same problem.The first time I noticed this I repaired it with the same method you've suggested and covered it up again.Five MOT's later there is even less metal and I joined this site to look for answers .Is this bracket even testsed for MOT or is it dare I say structual!.If anyone knows plesae let me know. No. It did pass a couple of mots before I sold it though. I believe Import Car Parts sell the support for welding in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isle Dweller Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 Hi, Thanks for the answers to my questions.The last advisory said "front crossmember corroded" but like a fool I kept puting of repairs til the next MOT was due. It is only the lower radiator bracket that's badly rusted so perhap's I'll try to get it repaired and then Mot'ed.Irony is that I bought a Volvo v70 as a daily whilst I was going to put the Subaru back to rights.However the Volvo has done nothing but have parts fail one after another, so I've e spent all my time fixing that "thing" instead of my beloved Subaru!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 It potentially fairly easy area repair so cost could be pretty reasonable, especially if had a decent used lower rad panel to graft in. Could be worth doing some rust prevention treatment such as dinitrol ML and a black wax . Volvo got some good points but since the days of Ford ownership and currently the Chinese they nothing but constant faults and expense . If you want decent made cars that reliable and low cost minimal ballache then stick with older models . Newer vehicles are a complete waste of finances & engineered to milk your bank account dry . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isle Dweller Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 Don't I know it!. My Legacy is 20 this year and the Volvo 24!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linx Posted January 1 Author Share Posted January 1 I have a V40 too 😂. D4 engine. It needed a new EGR vvalve soon after I bought it but luckily done under warranty. Been good since 🤞. Looks like a new bottom support is about £55 from Import Car Spares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isle Dweller Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 Thanks Linx .I seached for weeks before I got some real help from your stuning post!. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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