Rusted subframe part name?

After searching the forum it appears this is the "Rear Cradle Subframe Crossmember K Frame". seems like a big job for a DIY'er. Has any one done this job themselves?

Thanks!

TomOmon said:

After searching the forum it appears this is the "Rear Cradle Subframe Crossmember K Frame". seems like a big job for a DIY'er. Has any one done this job themselves?

Thanks!

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With the right tools it's possible, a lift is almost a requirement unless you like laying on your back for a day or two. I'm sure that heat (hand torch) will be needed to get some of the rusted bolts out, so caution will have to be observed due to the fuel tank being right there.


Have a good day.

Thanks! I have replaced the Catalytic Converter and it was a real PITA getting those bolts out. Lots of heat, cutting and several days spent under the car.

TomOmon said:

Thanks! I have replaced the Catalytic Converter and it was a real PITA getting those bolts out. Lots of heat, cutting and several days spent under the car.

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Do all us DYIers a favor and try to document it, with photos if possible. I'm sure others might also be interested in the procedure. It will come in handy for anyone else considering tackling this task in the future.


Good luck and have fun.


Have a good day.

I posted some pics of this on another website. FYI:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/b87erq/is_this_as_bad_as_i_think_it_is_rusted_subframe/?st=jtzq77t8&sh=20ec2665

PaulDay said:

Do all us DYIers a favor and try to document it, with photos if possible.

Click to expand...

Video of my progress can be found here:
Part 1

Part 2

Part 3
Coming soon + An abbreviated repair video

11/16 inch makes no sense, it's all metric...maybe due to rust?
Great video, I'm considering this fix.

did you report this to nissan and government? Seems every 2007 I've herad of is rusting out...obviously they didn't fix the issue but made it worse in this version.

In general, it looks like this is a lot of work and it's not together yet. Shop cost around $2500.
Are you using a new one or from junk yard? I've heard junk yard ones are trash as well...

Have you contacted NHTSA to report the issue with k-frame?

It is puzzling reading the NHTSA complaints that the 2007 models are disproportionately affected by this problem compared to the earlier models even though they seem to have the same design and parts.

07muranoblue said:

Have you contacted NHTSA to report the issue with k-frame?

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Yes, I submitted a complaint for this car back in April once the problem was discovered. A lot fo the complaits for the K-frame are under the "unknown or other" category instead of the suspension category FYI.

what was the outcome of contacting them I have the same issue with my Murano and I need to figure out what is the best thing to do thanks

Scralphy said:

what was the outcome of contacting them I have the same issue with my Murano and I need to figure out what is the best thing to do thanks

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NHTSA is not going to do anything over a 13 year-old car. Nissan will just chalk it up to improper vehicle maintenance or some other nonsense. For example, see the language below from the owners manual that they'd inevitably use to wash their hands because they didn't build the cars with sufficient corrosion resistance for those that live in the rust belt.

UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, the underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will prevent dirt and salt from building up and causing underbody and suspension corrosion. Before the winter period and again in the spring, the underseal must be checked and, if necessary, re-treated.

I learned that lesson the hard way, the passenger side front subframe rusted away on my '03 after 16 years. I always thought I could pretty much ignore what was going on under there. I thought it was normal for it to look all rusty, I thought it was just its patina lol

I have since learned that rust is insidious, and it should not be ignored once it begins.

I will being doing what is mentioned above for now on, checking and re-sealing the underbody as needed before the winter and again in the spring.

MuranoSL2003 said:

I learned that lesson the hard way, the passenger side front subframe rusted away on my '03 after 16 years. I always thought I could pretty much ignore what was going on under there. I thought it was normal for it to look all rusty, I thought it was just its patina lol

I have since learned that rust is insidious, and it should not be ignored once it begins.

I will being doing what is mentioned above for now on, checking and re-sealing the underbody as needed before the winter and again in the spring.

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Isn't this a regular preventive maintenance for folks that live where you get salt in the road yearly. I'd assume its known to those that actually buys cars and keeps them for a long time. But many folks likes new cars every 5 years or so and don't really want to be bothered by such things. Then there are those 2nd hand buyers that gets those unattended underside finding out just a little too late.

Its similar to buying used cars in SF (deep Sunset and Richmond district) where they are parked outside right by the beach. Man o man, those salty air will surely make a new car old in just a matter of a few years. And not just the underside. New to the city buyers would not think of it and later regret it. On the flip side, newish folks selling their cars wonders why its taking a long time to get buyers. Locals knows there is rust.

nitely said:

Isn't this a regular preventive maintenance for folks that live where you get salt in the road yearly. I'd assume its known to those that actually buys cars and keeps them for a long time. But many folks likes new cars every 5 years or so and don't really want to be bothered by such things. Then there are those 2nd hand buyers that gets those unattended underside finding out just a little too late.

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Yeah, we're advised to hose down the underbody to remove salt. And there are those that apply undercoating. However, there are many horror stories of improperly applied undercoating actually promoting rust. But I never heard of people proactively treating underbody rust and repainting the rust developing areas...

I purchased a new 82 Supra with Rusty Jones rustproofing, yet the body began rusting away after only a couple of years. They went bankrupt, so no recourse... I kept covering the gaping holes in the hatch using duct tape until I sold it 11 years later. lol

I tend to own cars for awhile, some 10-12 years. However. this is the first one I owned for 16 years. It was otherwise new looking; great body, paint, electronics, and mechanically. All made worthless when the rusted front subframe rotted away and would cost pretty much what the car was worth to repair...

TomOmon said:

After searching the forum it appears this is the "Rear Cradle Subframe Crossmember K Frame". seems like a big job walmartone for a DIY'er. Has any one done this job themselves?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Thank you so much information.