10 replies to this topic

[Mr.P]

How much rust is allowed on the rear subframe for an MOT?

Just attacked some spots on mine with a wire brush. Was planning on sanding down, treating and painting.
I just wanted to make sure it was savable first.


This seems the worse bit (from 2 angles)

 DSC_0009.jpg   135.72K   77 downloads

 DSC_0008.jpg   150.93K   50 downloads

and this

 DSC_0007.jpg   147.49K   58 downloads

Cheers,

Mr.P

[Retro_10s]

First picture looks like it might be beginning to rot through - or has the paint lifted?

The last picture looks like it just needs some 80grit paper and a lick of Stonechip.

[Mr.P]

First picture looks like it might be beginning to rot through - or has the paint lifted?

The last picture looks like it just needs some 80grit paper and a lick of Stonechip.

I'm worried it my be the beginning of rot......is that fatal?

[Retro_10s]

yes! a subframe is major! clean it up and find out the how bad it is.

[Boycie]

If this were an ideal world where time and money had no meaning, I'd say replace that subframe.

But I can totally understand you wanting to get another year or so out of it... yes it's starting to rot but it doesn't look (from the slightly dark photos) that it's bad enough to fail an MoT yet!

Surface rust, scabbing, even swelling/ perforated metal will pass an MoT, it will only fail when there is a hole in the metal through to the other side. The MoT tester can, of course use his disgression on a suspect area and even give it a tap with a correctly-weighted hammer to see if it produces a through-hole.

From what I can see picture-wise, it looks perfectly safe.
Check out the areas around where the rubber doughnut and aluminium trumpet sit too.

[Mr.P]

Thanks!!!

Trumpet and cones area all looks clear with the exception of some surface rust on the edge of the subframe.

Rub down, treat and fingers cross

I would replace before the MOT in October, but my next free weekend is in November, and I don't fancy freezing my ass off mid winter changing it.

[Boycie]

Yeah I know that feeling!

I have an MoT in Oct too... which is why I got most of the jobs needed done in July and August Just a few bits left now!

[Deathrow]

My subframe is similar, it's by no means rotten enough to condem to death but at the same time needs some work.

I'm going round my frame and cutting out the rotten metal and replacing it with good, solid steel so that I can get another few years out of it before I stomach for a £270 genuine heritage one, which will be coated in waxoyl once i get it painted up hehe.

[Boycie]

I noticed Minispares do a powder coated one now :cool:

Although I wonder if it would chip/ peel and then trap moisture...?

[Brams96]

My subframe is slightly worse than yours so I'm getting it sandblasted (about £50) then I'm going to give it a good 3 coats of extreme chassis black and 3-4 coats of clear coat and then waxoil. That should stop any rust!

[Simoncarter1]

i have seen far worse subframes than that go through an mot ok, just go over it with a light hammer and tap any suspicious areas, just use your judgement, if it bends like paper well.. not good, but if it feels decent then no worries!
a liberal coating of underbody seal or the like often disguises surface rust, which is expected anyway.