sidekickin Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 I have been having a problem with my '87 Hatchback. When I put it in 4WD I get this metallic rubbing sound, and I am wondering what this could be. After I take it out of 4WD it will still make the sound for a while, and then it will slowly go away. The back end of the car is rotted pretty good underneath (holes in the floor, framerail on drivers side completely rotted away near the rear shock mount--virtually nothing holding the moustache bar in place on the drivers side). Someone suggested that possibly the mounting for that large metal support tube in back is flexing or moving around from all the rust and allowing the front of the differential to lower and cause the driveshaft to make contact with the exhaust. That sounds like the noise it is making. Anyone else had this problem? Is the rear end of this car getting ready to collapse? I'd hate to be driving this car and it collapse going down the road. Any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subaru_dude Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 I think you should buy another hatch and keep that one as a parts car cuz your car sounds like it's ROTTEN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 I have been having a problem with my '87 Hatchback. When I put it in 4WD I get this metallic rubbing sound, and I am wondering what this could be. On our 88 4WD wagon, the tube that holds the front of the rear diff and the mounts for the rear trailing arms rotted so bad that the front of the diff dropped low enough to get the driveshaft rubbing the exhaust. At first, this was intermittant, and I couldn't figure out how the 2 were touching, even though I could see the marks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidekickin Posted September 13, 2006 Author Share Posted September 13, 2006 Thanks everyone. Has anyone ever experienced the unibody collpasing on one of these cars? Nobody seems to talk about that much. Just curious. Any symptoms to look for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Thanks everyone. Has anyone ever experienced the unibody collpasing on one of these cars? My 76 wagon did that. The floor started rubbing the drive shaft. I used a couple of those ratchet straps to lift the floor with the roof for a few months until I could finish reassembly of the 78 I replaced it with. When I cut the roof off the 76, the doors wouldn't open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Thanks everyone. Has anyone ever experienced the unibody collpasing on one of these cars? Nobody seems to talk about that much. Just curious. Any symptoms to look for? yes, i have pictures of an 89 RX in the "Parts for sale" forum of this site. the rear wheels both finally collapsed such that the tops of the rear wheels were leaning against the inner fender wall. not a pretty site. it was rusted very bad underneath and finally gave way. i agree with the previous poster about getting another hatch. i'd look into it a little bit and make sure it's nothing simple, but if it is rusted that bad it is not safe to drive. believe me, i saw the one i posted pictures of (it was a board members vehicle) and it was scarry thinking he had been driving it like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 That's why my old Subie became a buggy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidekickin Posted September 14, 2006 Author Share Posted September 14, 2006 Ok, guys....took some pictures of the rotted places. Let me know what you think. This is just one of the worst spots. There are others like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidekickin Posted September 14, 2006 Author Share Posted September 14, 2006 BTW, if you got a link to those 89 RX pictures with the collpased rear end, I'd like to see them. Can't seem to find them on the board... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidekickin Posted September 14, 2006 Author Share Posted September 14, 2006 I'm guessing it isn't all that bad, judging from the lack of responses. Can't imagine you guys letting me drive an unsafe car. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4_Welder Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 I just hadn't seen them yet- If the rear of the diff is dropping, then the front is most likely coming up and hitting the floor. I would agree with everyone here, it is unsafe to be on the road. If you have the time and materials, it's fixable- but way beyond fixable if you don't have the time and materials on hand already. It'll cost more to repair than the car is worth. I have been forced to scrap out vehicles I loved due to frame rot. I just found a mostly-gone rocker in my Hatch, so I'm in the same boat. It's still driveable, but I do have the time, materials, and expertise to do it, and gives me a useable excuse to put in a full cage......... Just because it's cool doesn't justify diverting limited resources from a paying project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 the area I would be the most concerned with is this one...not a real clear shot, but if that spot is rusted all the way around, then get yourself another car ASAP... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Cough....Buggy!....cough! Simply install a new body without rust:D Why look here's one...and no rust! http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=8707&cat=500&ppuser=584 I'm into my buggy $1,600 as it stands. Cough....hey, what do you know, some links appeared! http://www.risingsuncarservice.com.au/ http://www.rhinobuggies.com.au/products.htm ...a great way to keep your Subie around forever? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durania Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 Thanks everyone. Has anyone ever experienced the unibody collpasing on one of these cars? Nobody seems to talk about that much. Just curious. Any symptoms to look for? I looked at a Brat once that was like that, it had 50,000 miles on it and i thought it was a good idea, but when I sat in it I felt the car bend in the middle. Plus it had a big rusted hole behind the passenger seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidekickin Posted September 15, 2006 Author Share Posted September 15, 2006 the area I would be the most concerned with is this one...not a real clear shot, but if that spot is rusted all the way around, then get yourself another car ASAP... Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it. Yes, that spot is rotted through all the way around, except for a small spot on the front side of that support (maybe 1/2-inch). That is all that is holding that moustache support bar up on that side. If I grab that bar from underneath I can move it back and forth fairly easily. And when i do that, that rotted area moves up and down with it. The car still drives fine though. No problems with handling or anything. But I guess that could change in a hurry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOOBOUTLAW Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 My Brat has some pretty serious rust behind the front wheels, the rocker panels and parts of the front framerails. Both doors are rotted out at the bottom, but I already have replacement doors awaiting prep and paint. I plan to cut up my parts wagon for donor metal as soon as I can snag a MIG. And another Subaru. Backup for my backup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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