Frame rail rot (picture)

[l75eya]

I take it that this is not good;

 

What can I do about this? Is there anybody that knows anybody in the tri-state area that can help me get this patched up/reinforced? I do not know how to weld. The frame rails were welded previously by the dealer I bought the car from, but I think those welds are starting to go.

This worries me because if I can't get it fixed I'm either going to have to sell the car hopefully to somebody on here relatively local (The car is pretty clean on the outside) or I'm going to have to junk it, which would suck.

[idosubaru]

pic is grainy but that doesn't look bad at all for a daily driver...i mean, for you know northeast rust machines. without seeing the rest of it i'd still call that good for another decade or more, but i can't see the full extent, subframes, etc.  if it's just localized to one spot like that, or just the lower parts of the frame rail in certain spots...not a big deal.  if the entire frame rail top to bottom is flaking...that's bad.  can't tell from the pic where it fits in that spectrum. 

[idosubaru]

finding someone willing/capable of welding that without charging high prices might be tough. 

[l75eya]

Its just that one spot from what I can tell. I do have a few more pictures I'll add. That spot is right where the frame rail kinda curves down from the very front of the car. Picture is drivers side.

[Gloyale]

I had one in Wisconsin that was WAAAAAY worse than that.

 

Fortunately there are no inspections for rot there.

 

You will need to find someone good with a grinder and a MIG welder.

[MilesFox]

Don't junk it unless it folds in half. Which it won't. The rest of the car has yet to rust out long before you have to worry about anything.

 

You can make reasonable measures to keep it from getting worse, and continue to enjoy the car.

 

I made the same repairs on my car. I would never want to do it again. And only because i want to keep the car forever. Because i will never find another one around here.

 

This spot rusts out from water dripping behind the cowl and the corner of the windshield. It will rust the floorboards just behind the framerails.

[l75eya]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a384/l75eya/IMG_20130810_172244_zps524a84b7.jpg

 

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a384/l75eya/IMG_20130810_172002_zps1581ad67.jpg

 

Thanks for the reassurances. Im hoping I can find somebody to help me get it fixed. If anybody knows anybody that might be relatively close to me, please let me know.

[idosubaru]

i wouldn't even pay attention to that here.  that looks mild.

 

shouldn't be too hard to fix if you can find the right person.

 

maybe call/stop in at some tow companies or scrap yards.  they tend to know a lot of local businesses...and side jokers too. 

ask people you know, or start another thread "NJ Rust repair -any leads?" or something like that.

 

friend just got an engine installed for cheap asking around. found a guy that tosses engines in for people here and there for reasonable prices, at his house i presume.  largest tow company around was familiar with him and said he's great.