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Rear subframe

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
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Murphybarnes
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Rear subframe

Post by Murphybarnes » Wed May 04, 2022 4:39 pm

My recent MOT flagged up as an advisory Rear Subframe rust. I live on the coast admittedly. Is this a death knell. Just wondering about bigger jobs down the line in terms of, is the clock ticking ? 2006 Le Mans.

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X5Sport
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Rear subframe

Post by X5Sport » Wed May 04, 2022 5:36 pm

Probably worth having a look underneath and removing the splash guards etc. Spray the underside with Waxoyl as that was good stuff I seem to remember. I used to use it on all my cars until the late 90s as metal moth got most British made cars (and Alfa Suds I recall).
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Rear subframe

Post by Leslie » Wed May 04, 2022 6:48 pm

My e70 (2009) had a lot more rust in the subframe that I was expecting so I put a coat of waxoyl on , a few more years and it would have been rotten if left untreated :headbang:

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Rear subframe

Post by lezmtaylor » Thu May 05, 2022 10:36 am

Several on Ebay , worth a look

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Rear subframe

Post by Themoog2 » Tue May 10, 2022 6:08 pm

I used a drill with a wire brush on it to clean up what I could then painted it with rust remedy followed by black paint.

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henrym3
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Rear subframe

Post by henrym3 » Tue May 10, 2022 6:59 pm

I took the rear subframe off when the bushes needed changing and had it blasted and powder coated. To be honest it wasn’t that hard a job. Done other things while it was off. That was when it was 18yo so I expect it will see me out.

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Murphybarnes
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Rear subframe

Post by Murphybarnes » Wed May 11, 2022 7:14 pm

That was my plan too but alas beyond my mechanical skills. How much do you think a garage would charge to replace it, with or without bushes being replaced.

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Rear subframe

Post by Leslie » Wed May 11, 2022 8:53 pm

I think I'd be asking the mot garage how bad it is, if treated now to stop it getting worse it will last a long time :thumbsup: after all its an advisory not a fail :driving:
A secondhand subframe will be cheap but the labour to fit it probably won't be.

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henrym3
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Rear subframe

Post by henrym3 » Wed May 11, 2022 9:34 pm

The problem is when the subframe is down and you see the brake lines you’ll want to change them, it’s one of those not to difficult jobs that just grows arms and legs. Like exhaust shields that are barely hanging on to exhaust mount rubbers with huge cracks. I discovered that with a good torch I could see the amplifier which then needed the bottom of that area cut out and I redone it in fibreglass. I just mention a couple of things to show the arms and legs. I suppose it depends if your going to keep or not. Petrol/diesel prices will see a lot of fairly decent stuff have a premature end.

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