I recall seeing that subframe unit priced at $350-400 recently, new from Subaru. Comes with brand new bushings already loaded.

Check out this thread from last year, guy did his own swap. You might glean some information about the labor requirements from it.

Looks like lockmedic did one in 6-7 hours. The only trick is, rusty cars don't just add to time estimates, they are multipliers. No two go the same way.

 

What the mechanic would probably have to do is cut off the hardpoints of your subframe and reweld material for your new parts to attach to. Nobody will put their rep on installing suspension parts that are severely compromised.

 

Didn't Subaru issue a recall or service bulletin that extended coverage on those?

 

Yes, they'll apply a rust-prevention paint free of charge, because they forgot to paint them properly for the 2000-2002 model years.

They won't do anything once it has already rusted out.

 

That job can be pretty straightforward but turns into a nightmare if any of the subframe-to-unibody bolts are rusty.

Probably the absolute worst thing that can happen is to have the captive nut those thread into break off inside the unibody (it's happened. . . albeit not to me, yet). That's not easy to fix if it happens.

The bolts on the transverse links to the spindles can be problematic at times too. They sometimes rust to the inner sleeve on their respective bushings. Also no bueno but much easier to fix than (no longer) captive nuts going awry.

I can have one out and on the ground on a non-rusty car in about 2 hours without a lift but with a decent air impact. If it's rusty and nothing breaks, probably double that. If it's rusty and something does break, double it again.

 

hey look, signature changes:

hey look Rasterman got himself a Gen1, (or he is showing a car he once had or rarely types of).


and Locky wants people to search the forums,...no one bothers to do that.

 

I owned that '98 5MT from 2006-2010, it was my first Subaru. Traded it in for the XT. Just ran across a shot of it and felt like playing.

 

As my email is in my sig, I get people who aren't even members here emailing me out of the blue to ask parts interchange questions. Not to buy parts, just to ask stuff like "will a 98 motor fit in my 2002?" or "hey man can I run WRX coilovers on my OB?"

I usually humor them but it started getting annoying. . . plus it's a peer forum. I might spout utter BS in an email and nobody will catch it. At least here I can count on EE to pick up on my double entendre and respond with pics of hot women in the back of BRATs or similar.

 

Ben,
Does this mean I should stop emailing you begging for parts? I thought we had something special. Fine. Just ship the steering wheel and then I won't bug you any more. Unless of course you can get your hands on some really nice CLEAR 2nd gen headlights.

BTW, I stripped, used rust converter, plasti-dip type mat black spray paint on my rear suspension and it seems to have halted the rot. My advice is use a respirator. Mine sat on the shelf instead of my face and now I can't remember anything about that week.

P.S. I sent you an email about shipping the steering wheel today.

David

 

Thanks for the advice.

Does anybody know somebody in Vancouver, BC who might be good at this sort of thing?

 

Peab you know I love you and live for our back and forth "?", "!" banter. You're the exception.

I don't mind at all when peeps email to buy parts. . . the sig change was to try and clarify the obvious: questions are for forums.

got your email, will send your precious out tomorrow

back to the issue at hand. . .dunno anyone to advise you to check out in Vancouver. I'll be visiting there eventually. . . my dad lives over on Vancouver Island (used to live in Squamish. . .I assume he moved so he could have a more interesting airport experience when travelling).

Maybe check out body shops? Their labor rate is usually significantly lower than a mechanic's. . . although they're not always keen on doing simple mechanical repairs like that.

Bonus is if they have to cut out and replace a broken captive nut, they're already set up for sheetmetal work like that.

 

My 2005 impreza has a rusty subframe. I think the mechanic said it would last 2 more winters. Does this sound right? Thanks