Duke
MegaDork
9/21/23 10:00 a.m.
Coworker has a 2013 Kia Sorento, V6 AWD. High miles - 275,000 +/-.
Rear subframe is badly rusted out, to the point it's definitely dynamic while driving.
The rest of the car is remarkably solid. The unibody looks fine, the engine and transmission sound and feel great, if it weren't for this it would have a few years left in it.
Looks like the part is available around $700 new, Copart maybe $350-$400.
Any idea how much to R&R at a shop? I'm guessing < 8 hours, so maybe another $700-$800 in labor, plus rear alignment?
It looks like there was a TSB to drill some weep holes in the member for drainage. Anybody know if there is a program for replacing them?
On a related note, they just had it aligned when they got new tires a couple weeks ago, and the alignment shop said nothing about it. There's no possible way they road tested it. They could barely have even done the alignment. The new rear tires are already feathering the insides.
Mitchell is 5.9 plus alignment. We're going to start off at $900 labor in my shop and have an understanding that it's likely to go up from there not to mention it's likely not just the subframe.
Duke
MegaDork
9/21/23 10:31 a.m.
In reply to Byrneon27 :
Thanks for the info - that seems like a reasonable number. Plus there will be $100-$200 in miscellaneous hardware.
Honestly, pending getting it up on a lift, the unibody looks really really solid, even where the subframe bolts on. The LCAs look fine; the trailing arms are a little crusty but seem solid. But where the trailing arms join the subframe is completely rotted on both sides.
Thanks again.
In reply to Duke :
If there is no recall and only a TSB, than no the dealer won't replace for free. There's going to be some (read: all) snapped bolts for that subframe so figure another $100 in hardware plus the additional labor to try and get the remaining parts out to use the new ones. I'd figure $2k to have a shop fix easy.
I replaced the rear subframe on our Rav4 a few years ago, it was a very involved job. I had to replace a bunch of extra parts (think e-brake cables, backing plates, etc.) due to rust. There was also a bunch of "while I'm in there" stuff like rear axle seals and a differential breather. The used subframe was like $135, and the parts total was around $1k. I would budget about $3k, especially if a shop is doing it.
Bolts retaining the subframe to the body is job 1. Everything else is one cutting torch away from being loose. I'd probably count on suspension bushings and bolts, park brake cables, and other small parts.
South Main Auto Channel ordered a complete rear subframe for an Altima a few episodes ago. He called a southern wrecker, paid extra to get all the brake and suspension parts left attached, and pretty much bolted it in.
It's worth a watch, because it's pretty much what you will have to do.
https://youtu.be/q8V4oy6njIA?feature=shared