NCT fail - Front Subframe - excessive rust

slimjimmc wrote: »

Option 3 should be ok but if the rust is somewhere unreachable then you'll have to take it off. You mentioned there are no holes so you probably have "Advanced rust" which hasn't yet progressed to "Extensive rust" as per the NCT manual. Wire brush, treat remaining rust with a rust converter, prime and repaint. You just need to make sure the metal is sound with no flaking/bubbling rust.

Unfortunately it actually had progressed to extensive rust.
That's what it says in the report, and on the pictures I showed earlier, a hole is visible near the red paint mark which NCT guy did. I don't think there is any other option than replacing the element, as I can't see how otherwise it could be repaired.
I won't be able to get it into any garage until next week, so I'll only see then.

Bigus wrote: »

Buy a whole Brava on done deal for peanuts

I already had one few years back. Engine died on it, and as it was my friend's he gave it to me to strip for parts. I have loads of parts now in the shed, including spare gearbox, starter, alternator, etc, but unfortunately subframe is not there. On the car I got it was also rusty.
I'm affraid it's going to be very hard to find one secondhand which actually isn't rusty.

Augeo wrote: »

On a well minded car that you know it is worth it imo, €2000 can buy you a great car or a good deal of trouble, you'd sort this subframe issue for under €1000.

As you seem to do most of your other work yourself it is easy to tolerate a once off investment like that, there's years left in your Bravo

Deleted User wrote: »

Looking at the picture it does look a bit worse than I'd have assumed.

If it were me, I'd be off to Donedeal. Buy something for 1-2 grand and with a fresh NCT and you should be okay for another year or or two and then hopefully go from there?

I presume the car itself isn't really worth much, so it'd be hard to justify spending that kinda money on a repair if it was me.

samih wrote: »

If that's all that is wrong it a no brainer to bolt out the old one and replace with a good used one from a scrappie. In lots of cars the frame is welded on but not in this car so it's an easy job. Lots of wd40 from above the bolts and then don't force the bolts if they feel tight but nice back and forth action until they are loose.

You can even practice with the scrap car first.

Alanstrainor wrote: »

It'd be great to see the car continue on. Hate seeing good cars scrapped just because of something small. But that being said, I could understand if you moved on seeing what it's worth!

macplaxton wrote: »

Pah, it's only a Fiat :pac: You've owned the car, now escape before it owns you (and your wallet). You know it makes sense!

Unless of course you're an eccentric millionaire prone to being flash with the cash.

This car now has really more sentimental value than money value to me.
It's 2001 Fiat bravo 1.2 with 235k kilometres on the clock.
I got it 7 years ago in 2008 for peanuts with 125k kms. Advert asked for €1800, I offered €1300 thinking I would meet seller in the middle and take it for €1500. She didn't even say anything and accepted €1300 (for 7 years old good car :eek:)
It was meant to be a cheap runaround to last for a year or two.
After purchase, I realised, that she actually gave me a whole full service history, which proved that every single fault was fixed right away. All services done on time. Few months before she sold it, it had a clutch changed, wishbones, etc which cost her over €900. Generally it was a great bargain at that time for me.

Since I bought it, it was used always as a second car in a family, so no big mileage - about 15k km a year only.
It's sentimental though, as this car taught me a lot about mechanics and doing something on your own on a car.
I changed oil + filters every year myself.
I changed timing belt myself in 2009.
In 2011 as suspension (which is not strong side of those cars) was wrecked, so I fit 4 new KYB shocks + eibach lowering springs + 2 new front wishbones (as balljoints were loose) + antiroll-bar droplinks + inner and outer tie rods. I also fitted strut brace. Since then car is really great to handle on bendy roads which it's mostly driven on. And all those was fitted by myself. Took me few weeks having car on stands in front of my house.
It's not too powerfull, but for Irish country roads it's nippy enough with 80HP 16v engine which likes revving high. And never had a single problem with that engine and even now with 235k km which is high for small engine it still runs perfectly and doens't burn any oil.
Only works I've done in garages really was exhaust which rotted, and was fully exchanged in 2011 for over €300. Only catalitic converter is still original. Also rear brake lines were done by garage as I have no patience to deal with those awkward springs there inside the mechanise, and rear suspensions arm upper bushing were changed in a garage, as they became loose and it was really heavy job with angle grinder and I had no equipment to do it myself. All other jobs were done by myself.

So after all those years and jobs done, I really have a big sentiment for that car, and it still works great as second car in a family, even though it's not exactly too comfortable to carry 2 kids to school with only 3 doors and lowered suspension

I would love to keep it forever, but fixing this subframe might be unfortunately very costly and there might be more expanses soon. Clutch has already done about 120km and they don't last much more than that so this will be a job soon. Timing belt is due. Front discs and pads. Also head gasket can't last forever on it - it's a Fiat in the end - gasket must go at some stage.

I won't scrap her though - that's for sure.
I'll either get subframe fixed if cost is reasonable, and if not, I'll just take this car to my family home in Poland, do all necessary jobs for 1/4 the cost, and park it at the garage there. I'll use it only as holiday car, and keep it for future as a classic

joujoujou wrote: »

Maybe consider getting a subframe from Poland? Many of those private couriers would quote you at approx 20 € (or even less) for transport. Refitting it here (+ tracking) would not cost you a fortune.

I struggle to find any
Only one I found on allegro is this. Doesn't look great tbh.

Tracking - I always do it myself with piece of string

joujoujou wrote: »

Looks significantly better than yours.

Would brava fit, by the way?

I'm sure it would.

166man wrote: »

No, I had a question, asking him if he was being serious to suggest what he did. I mean honestly......

He suggested that before I showed pictures.

joujoujou wrote: »

Wanna try?

Do you have one?

By the way - I wonder how much would Fiat want for a new one? Did you ask them?

I didn't actually. I'll ring them tomorrow.

Tazio wrote: »

Hi CiniO do you want me to make a few calls for a 2nd hand one?

Sure why not.
I haven't got an opinion from the mechanic though, so I'll see first what he says next week.