safety issues with rust

[bluebaru]

I currently have a 91 loyale sedan that has two large holes on the front sides of both rear wheelwells. The holes are pretty big and end about 3 inches from where the shocks mount. I need to know if this is going to affect the stability of the mounting of the rear shocks. I have been driving this car pretty hard lately but I want to lift it and drive it harder, I just dont want my shocks to bust right through the body. Also I have a '92 2wd auto wagon with a better bosy and engine would I be able to put a D/R tranny and the rear axles and differentials and drive shaft from the sedan into that body and engine?

[GeneralDisorder]

I just dont want my shocks to bust right through the body.

 

That's a real possibility actually. I've seen pictures of it more than once - where the rear coil-overs just bust right through into the cargo area. Makes a nasty mess. If you have enough rust that you even suspect something might break DO NOT lift it. The lift will put stresses on the frame rails in ways that can rip apart a good body if you aren't careful, let alone a rusty one.

 

Also I have a '92 2wd auto wagon with a better bosy and engine would I be able to put a D/R tranny and the rear axles and differentials and drive shaft from the sedan into that body and engine?

 

It will all bolt right up. Just did one a few months back actually. You have to swap the entire rear suspension, but it's not difficult if you have the space to get them both up in the air. Wagon is better for off-road anyway as it's got some cargo space for tool and equipment. The sedan would be really tight.

 

GD

[idosubaru]

agree with GD - the rear struts can and will poke through into the interior of the car. seen that before.

 

i posted a picture earlier this year of a board members RX that rusted out underneath to the point where the rear wheels collapsed in and rested against the inner fender wells. the wheels were actually rubbing against the metal. not cool and definitely a safety concern. of course yours could be benign, inspect it closely and see how far it goes.

[monstaru]

if you are riding it hard and they have not busted through yet,then keep trying.i had a hell of a rust bucket at one time and romped the piss out of her in the oregon backcountry and drove out several times.granted it wasn't pretty,and it wasn't noiseless,but it worked.if you are that concerned,do a 4x swap onto the other car and forget about it.

[Sweet82]

It was the dreaded rust issue that led me to put a new body on my old 82 Hatch.

 

It's much happier now.