In this video I bring you along as I look at a customers 2015 Nissan Altima that came in on a tow truck. A quick inspection reveals a rotted and broken rear lower control arm and the one on the other side is only moments away from snapping off too. We always have to look at the big picture here in the rust belt so sometimes replacing a control arm is not that easy. In this case I am ordering a whole new rear cradle with both knee assemblies from a place out of Alabama. In the end I think it is the better deal. I'd like to hear what you think or know how you would handle this.
If an SMA Video has helped you out please consider giving using "Patreon" to help support us. The videos take real time to create and pull us away from real work that pays our bills. CLICK HERE: https://www.patreon.com/southmainauto
CHECK OUT OUR "SMA SWAG" STORE! Go on Teespring and get your very own SMA merch!
https://teespring.com/stores/the-sma-store
If you don't like Patreon feel free to use the "PayPal Me" link: https://www.paypal.me/SouthMainAuto
The South Main Auto Amazon Store:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/southmainautorepairavoca
AES Wave Automotive Diagnostic Tools: https://www.aeswave.com/cart.php?m=affiliate_go&affiliateID=2525b91fc8e906e8215984074c9d9e8f&go=https://www.aeswave.com/Miscellaneous-p9347.html
Thank you for all the continuing support!
--Eric & Vanessa O.
Feel like sending some swag to SMA because you love the videos but don't know where to send it?
Just ship it here:
South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.
If an SMA Video has helped you out please consider giving using "Patreon" to help support us. The videos take real time to create and pull us away from real work that pays our bills. CLICK HERE: https://www.patreon.com/southmainauto
CHECK OUT OUR "SMA SWAG" STORE! Go on Teespring and get your very own SMA merch!
https://teespring.com/stores/the-sma-store
If you don't like Patreon feel free to use the "PayPal Me" link: https://www.paypal.me/SouthMainAuto
The South Main Auto Amazon Store:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/southmainautorepairavoca
AES Wave Automotive Diagnostic Tools: https://www.aeswave.com/cart.php?m=affiliate_go&affiliateID=2525b91fc8e906e8215984074c9d9e8f&go=https://www.aeswave.com/Miscellaneous-p9347.html
Thank you for all the continuing support!
--Eric & Vanessa O.
Feel like sending some swag to SMA because you love the videos but don't know where to send it?
Just ship it here:
South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.
That folks are limping in with a Nissan Altima customer had to tow it in. they State something's broke in the back while I walked by the car it looked. Definitely would agree with them. that's all.
deadly. Broke back here because he's got The Squatty Potty Got some stance going on to it. Hopefully we can drive this thing in. Did not take it for a ride I just pulled it in.
Make sure we're in Far Enough here man. perfect. let's have a look. Let's go 104 on the clock.
the 2015 variety. She's way pigeon toed there on that back wheel. Let's go look at this side here for comparison. It's probably very difficult to tell.
This wheel looks like it's sitting nice and straight in this wheel. You're like why cars broke. It sounds like something's rattling around back here. You might have to jack it up to get the lift under it.
No, we're good. It's not gonna be as high as the other side, but we'll get her pretty close. All right, let's lift her up see what happens. Foreign right off.
That's good. You still on the phone? No the people wanted to come in to tell you happy Birthday! Oh really, they knew today was not only the first day of summer, but it's your birthday. I know she got left out last night. poor baby.
He's waiting for me this morning look super upset when I pulled in I wanted to go to sleep. made her stay out in the wild. All right. Well happy Birthday! Hey happy Birthday! Thanks! Holy good thing with Sway bar.
Link's good huh? Wowzer How far behind this? oh that one's not far behind either. Look at that. I have a little crack in there, don't you? Wow. Well looks like this little guy needs some control arms.
huh? Sway bar links holding on for dear life. Yikes. 50 bucks says the bolts don't come out all right. subframe left.
it's like there is. huh? Awesome. That's good time to do wheel alignment. Cam bolts never turned anyways.
but yeah, look at that. it's all cracked out. Let's get a pokey tool. This one will do some good poking there.
Of all the people saying that they saw a crack, There's an actual crack Finally! So I spoke with the customer they want to get after it. Uh, the other thing I did too is convince them didn't convince them I told them that's cheaper. way cheaper for us to buy an entire rear uh, suspension cradle everything on it from down south and then pay the you know truck Freight to get it here and then switch stuff over. Um because I looked up rear cradles.
We get the whole rear cradle, upper lower control arms, everything on it for the price of about one and a half. Lower control arms from Nissan You know, not to mention you know everything is rotted. You know we'd have to. you know, cut every bolt out, change all the bushings.
Uh, so it's just easier providing you know that we can get the subframe out which this is all mounted on studs here and there and everywhere. Those two bolts and that goes up to a stud. So I don't see why it wouldn't come out. They're only on by a couple threads. So I think we would be okay. The only thing we might have to buy are, you know, parking brake cables because they're going to turn to Pus as soon as you try to take them out. They come down through here on both sides. Bring it around town we'll have to see.
I would probably have them here on standby, but that thing looks like it's pretty and puffy. The backing plates are all running off, but the rest of the car is not horrible. you know, front subframe is still pretty intact. Now this this package right here.
everything's possible, you know. So as soon as you touch stuff so I put in a couple calls to a few uh Southern yards or getting me some pictures, they're gonna send it to us and then see if we can't get one truck freighted in. I Don't know if we'll need anything else. I mean the calipers and stuff are all rusty.
We might have to do some some other little things, but I think it'll be kind of minor in the big picture. So yeah, I think that's the best way to address this uh situation. Dropped the whole thing I Looked at the exhaust. it looks like we can separate it right here.
Uh, the flanges are. you know they're not mint, but they're not completely rotted out so we can just take and there's not much left of that nut. These nuts. We'll take the torch, snip that off, separate the exhaust, pick that across my brow, and then just drop the entire exhaust down on the ground as an entire assembly.
unless I see the Dragon tips. Maybe getting up on the flatbed? Um, but yeah, we can drop the whole exhaust as an assembly and that will give us, you know, free and clear room to drop the entire subframe, which will simplify the job. Uh, 10 fold. It's a lot easier than doing the control.
I Think this is cracked out more since we've been just sitting here with the pressure on it. slash tension, whichever you want to call it. I Don't know. I'll keep you guys posted.
Foreign, foreign.
How Would You Fix This Rotted Out Nissan? complete restoration top to bottom new everything then rust proof it to the nth degree everywhere its know to rust out plus some places its not…
I think even if there is a recall on the control arms, you did the better job as the whole rear end was a crusty old mess
Well tell your wife happy late birthday
Junk it. Not worth the time and effort
On this day in 1307 Kulug Khan is enthroned as Khagan of the Mongols and Wuzong of the Yuan.
That is freaking bonkers. My 2012 Rav4 living in Minnesota has nowhere the rust that Nissan has.
We should get a tax break for living in the salt belt
Tell me.
Why such rust under car on NY cars?
Do they salt the roads like UK for traction when snow conditions?
👍
My dads birthday also
I had to replace the K-frame on my '07 Sentra. Illinois sucks.
RINSE YOUR CARS OFF PEOPLE
UNDERCARRIAGE AND ALL
Super glue would work!! LOL
2015??? Did they park it in a swamp?
And this is why I live in Florida. This kind of rust doesn't happen…………Ever.
I think its odd that nobody ever suggests ending the practice of putting salt on our roads.
Eric, we don’t get the winter salt on Long Island they way you do upstate. Regardless, I now use Surface Shield on my FJ Cruiser.
here is an idea, this may not work but what I would try if it was a good customer is see if all the bolts will free up, replace the stabilizer links and make it real easy for the guy at the dealer to replace the control arms, then the only charge should be an alignment, looks like the control arms would fix it, something to think about
Its a Nissan. Should have been junked day 1
They really need to figure out how to breakdown road ice without salt . This is like spraying termites on our homes? It's dumb.
I would say if you can't replace the car for what you are charging the customer, it is worth it. GREAT VIDEO!
Man, I'm SO glad I live in the South. I honestly can't imagine a car that's only 8 years old being that badly gone. Down here, an 8-year-old car is just a regular used car — you worry far more about the shoddy maintenance the engine and transmission received than you do about the control-arms and sub-frame rusting so badly that they break into pieces.
Sell it for what I could get for it and buy a Toyota.
Junk it
That is why I always say oil changes and oil spray
Cars should be rust proof. How come they aren't???
I wouldn't bother run it across the scales and recycle
AAAAAHHHH the beauty of Road salt in the northeast….
Jesus Christ wow
MY SOLUTION for any import – "Jack up the radiator cap and roll a good car under it."
Would the American economy collapse if the USA stopped salting roads? I live in Oregon's mountains, and the EPA demanded we salt the roads because of dust from sanding.
NY winters!!!and did u check a recall on it? My 2010 sonata broke Hyundai replaced the whole rear end free from a recall!ck with Nissan on a recall,but they would have to take it to a dealer!
makes me SMH whenever I see this kind of rust on a late model vehicle.
the Titanic has been immersed in salt water, for over 100 years, and is still mostly intact !
where have we gone wrong ?
Folks, you don't have to pay for a foreign language course to learn a second language….work on rusty vehicles and you'll be speaking in a second language in no time, it may be under your breath but you'll speak it.
I vote for junking this clunker
Out of curiosity, if the underside of the car had been sprayed with Fluid Film from the get go, what kind of shape would you have expected it to be in?
Woow
Why is it that way?
It's considered New somehow…
Not as old as my beloved 2008 Hyundai Sonata
El corrosione 😂
sad up north where they salt roads in snow ruins and rusts cars. No need to buy nice car as in 5 to 7 yrs rusted out. I own 20 yr old total rust free 330k car never would have made it 10 yrs up north, you can keep that snow and all its salting LOL I bet there are no old cars up there that are not parked every winter
👍❤️👍
How would I fix it ? Remove the Gas cap and, toss the rest in the bin.
Surprising that thing is still deemed ROADWORTHY, …but then.
I don't get this….
You guys are blaming the auto manufacturers when it's the local government/municipalities that are causing this whole problem by putting salt on the roads 24/7 in these Rust Belt states….
Yes there are elements naturally occurring on the earth that cause metal to rust but the salt is causing it at an astronomical accelerated rate which is unacceptable and you guys in the rust belt state should not except it…this is insane ….
My son drives a 1994 Acura Integra and it has absolutely minimal rust underneath it and we live in Seattle and it always rains here… I don't know how you guys put up with this…:this is insane…
No wonder the taxes are so much lower in the rust belt state …. I could just hear the politicians….
Are we going to raise taxes this year "no, we don't need to," with all the salt on the roads we just make them buy new cars every 5 years"
Sorry, funny but not funny….
Put it in a car crusher
Sad a 2015 unreal
And why did that accident happen? Was the frame rotted? U need state inspections every time vehicle is in for service
Thank goodness for the actual crack.
If you do have time for a Q&A where would it be convenient.
👍
If he told me my knees need a new gasket I'll say yes. That's how much of a mechanic he sound like. Through and through.
Next it will be towed back in when the cvt transmission leaves them stranded on the road. Thanks Nissan.
I would just make the customer another invoice just indicating that only the control arms were replaced so that he can get reimbursed for the cost.
If this had been further North and got Krowned once a year, it would be fine.
Wow im surprised to see this on a import vehicle 😎
memphis tn. here. i hated seeing a car with northern tags roll in the door.
Nissan should have had a recall on these sub frames when my Murano was done my mechanic could not find any.
My 2006 Murano sub frame rusted out and cracked in 12 years had it all replaced. That steel was thin when it was new!
Those Nissans love rust dont they
NISSAN IS JUNK! SCRAP IT!
Best thing to do with a nissan…is not buy one in the first place.
It’s a warranty extension
The reason why cars need to be rust proofed. The winter road chemicals are so harsh, just eat right through the factory protection.
Happy Birthday Mrs. O! 😊🥰
Down south, lots of Nissans end up crashed or PIT'ed because they're the vehicle of choice for criminals/drug dealers, making parts plentiful and cheap. We all heard about Cash for Clunkers, but nobody talks about the secret program Nissans for Criminals that supplies everyone leaving prison with a Nissan or Infiniti with tinted windows, a collapsed rear suspension, and a box of air fresheners. Banging up the fenders to complete the package was left as a task for the vehicle recipient.
Happy Birthday Mrs O. From Rob in Western Australia
I would throw it from a cliff and move south.
If that was any lower on the back end it would be closer to the floor than a nail😅
Words of advice, fluid film or bar and chain oil with a kerosene dispersant on the under carriage.
not nice for the customer. but nice for us, gonna be an interesting video
You: $50 say those bolts don't come out… ME: Not a chance in H3ll that I'd take that bet!!!
some parts under warranty or not, the best choice is to swap the whole rear subframe out, only choice in my opinion, after seeing what's not left of anything. 🤣
Oh man, your hair's gotten a LOT more grey, lol lookin' good old man!
Been watching your vids for years now
Nissan is the Chrysler of Japan
Nissan Rouge/Qashqai rear suspension members over here only have about 10-12 year lifespan
A little off topic, but still concerning rot scenarios : Are electric cars in your area getting rot in battery cases under the car?
Waiting for the parts gives time to spray penetrating oil on now and let it get happy until the parts get in.
I don't buy or work on foreign junk to begin with.
Used to sell lots of Chrysler front subframes and gas tanks and pick up beds to the gas tank man every year when he made the long trip down from up north.
Scrap!
Wow absolute pile of crap ! Oil spray may be the only hope for these things
Can we talk about when you pay for the Deluxe wash with the undercarriage spray, it's all recycled water from previous washes that has all that brine built up? Most locals in the U.S. require it for car washers.
You cannot "filter out" salt without distilling or reverse osmosis; that's going to take more resources than found at a car wash. Unless you can say 100% the undercarriage spray is fresh water, it's making it worse in the name of "preserving water" in car washes.
I do not fix Nissan’s. I suggest, if you were unfortunate enough to buy one, to just run it out of gas and leave it where it stops. Money spent on a Nissan is money wasted.
JB Weld and a tin of paint mate.
👍👍👌👌👍👍
Eric
A belated Happy Birthday to you, Mrs O!🎉
Another great example of why you need to use Rust Check or Krown oil spray in the rust belts
I thought Michigan was bad for rust, what do they apply to your roads in the winter good grief.
I just had the same thing done on 2009 Sonata, same situation I looked at my back wheel and it had gone all cattywampus. Shop said it might not be worth doing but I had a newer engine put in already plus new struts and AC so we went ahead with new rear subframe.
Crazy, you just don't see this sort of corrosion in Australia, except on underground mining vehicles..
I'm impressed someone actually took an Altima to a mechanic.
Don't forget shocks. Ha!
'Let's get a pokey tool" SMA 2023
“If it works don’t fix it.” Keep your cars people prices are way too high
8 years old and complete junk. The automotive industry has to be the biggest con artists outside the government.
just imagine doing 70 and putting the brakes on Oh Dear
now u need only TÜV inspection to see this 🤣, but joke aside how the car passed inspection 👀👀
Trade for a Honda.
We use salt aswell at winter here in Sweden but man that subframe was complete rotten. An 2015 in that condition hit the junkyard like in notime here. DNV in Sweden (Bilprovningen) sets an (3) (must be moved with towtruck with all wheel on truck) way before the damage gone that far. I must ask, is there no tectyl or rust protection from factory at all?
I would sell it for 6K more than what I paid…. and make sure I take pics of it still on the car trailer
Pretty ironic, his taxes pay for this damage on both ends. They pay for the salt and they pay for the damage.
SAFETY INSPECTION STICKER DATED JAN, 2023. All that happened in 6 months??
As usual there is a lot of info in the comments👍🏼. It appears there is the possibility of a recall on this vehicle. Interesting part is the service data that we use for OEM parts look up as well as service info does not list the recall. I actually had to Google it. Of course at this point I already repaired the vehicle but I will pass the info onto the customer and they can reach out to Nissan for possible reimbursement. This morning I did contact our local Nissan dealer and they stated to me they only cover the control arms, no rotted anything else, no stuck fasteners, bushings etc. Their estimate with the "free repair" was still more than my total bill 😅 I think the customer is still in the green. Stay tuned….