Welding - worth it ?

[rsymes2k]

Hey Guys, 2004 xc90 d5 has failed its MOT on rear subframe, needs welding apparently.

Is it worth patching it or getting one off eBay to fit? Pain in the rear as we need it for holidays next week.

I’ve not looked at it yet but is there a common fail point on these ?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by rsymes2k

Hey Guys, 2004 xc90 d5 has failed its MOT on rear subframe, needs welding apparently.

Is it worth patching it or getting one off eBay to fit? Pain in the rear as we need it for holidays next week.

I’ve not looked at it yet but is there a common fail point on these ?

no not yet, has it got holes? if you get another to fit get it galvanised first..

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by rsymes2k

Hey Guys, 2004 xc90 d5 has failed its MOT on rear subframe, needs welding apparently.

Is it worth patching it or getting one off eBay to fit? Pain in the rear as we need it for holidays next week.

I’ve not looked at it yet but is there a common fail point on these ?

Depends how much they charge you to patch it... is that cheaper that buying a used replacement? If you need the car for holidays, that doesn't give you much time to source another subframe and have it delivered/fitted in time. If you get it welded, you need to get it rustproofed. Same applies if you get a used subframe.

On a car that's nearly 20 years old, corrosion is to be expected to a degree. If it needs welding, it must be in bad shape. I can only assume the car has lived in a salty environment and that's got the better of the underside over time because salt, mud etc etc wasn't washed off... Or the car hasn't had any rust protection applied since it left the factory.

[GrahamBrown1]

Corrosion on the rear subframe of XC90s is common. Unlike the other P2 cars where they are all Ali due to weight of the XC90 they had to use steel. As they are getting on a bit now the early ones will start to show up on MOT. As long as it doesn’t corrode around the mounting areas of the body which it shouldn’t it is perfectly repairable although not a cheap repair.

[Bob Meadows]

An alternative to galvanising is hot zinc metal spraying:~
Briefly the part is media blasted prior to the above being applied- accepts paint (correct primer) then topcoats.
(Repair first or the above treatment will be wasted)

I have used this process on a 70 year old Riley chassis & quite a few other associated parts, the first company had been a metal spraying one (now closed) but I also use a company restoring narrow boats.
Parts had been done over 30 years ago and are completely rust free to date.

Prices have been very reasonable... the classic car interest from them helped.
Could be an option if you choose this route?

Good Luck.
Bob.

[rsymes2k]

How much of a job is it to pull off the old subframe ?

[rsymes2k]

Originally Posted by rsymes2k

How much of a job is it to pull off the old subframe ?

Well, I’ve found a subframe from a 2011, everything callipers diff etc for £300 - question is will it all work with my 2004 ?