Technical Subframe rust

fv43576 · Oct 3, 2016

My HGT 2004 diesel Punto has failed the MOT because of rust subframe at front that is where hold the wishbone and steering rack. MOT said my car will be unworthy on road need to scrap! I am not scrap my car I love it.
I have already look under, all I can see is only subframe are corrosive badly but it can be replace because of 6 bolts.
what the hell is MOT were think of to tell me scrap car off?

Now I am struggle to find any used from scrapyard on eBay, ask my local scrap won't sell me that part (probably they are too lazy because of hard work to remove it) I can't imagination what is cost of new from dealer? I saw on www.247spares.co.uk it is scam with high negative review.

Brendan W · Oct 3, 2016

There are a few threads here about this issue. I saw a dealer price of £600+ for one a while back. Keep plugging the scrappies.

flisko · Oct 3, 2016

1.2 8v got same subframe?

fv43576 · Oct 3, 2016

Yes all Punto MK2 & MK2B have same subframe it would not be hard to find 1.2 8V are everywhere. I'll keep look out for more scrapyard.

AndyRKett · Oct 3, 2016

Remember your car has updated suspension roll bars and shocks, it would not be at all out of the ordinary for the subframe to be the same plus a couple of small additions given that it's a special model and out of all the puntos sold only 153 diesel HGTs hit the road in the U.K. So finding scrapped cars is like hens teeth.

I had one, it got scrapped after an accident and the subframe was no longer entirely the same shape, so that rules that one out. They did a 1.9 Diesel on the elaganza and they did the 1.3 diesels, look to those for a replacement because they have different gearbox setups on the diesel cars.

Your alternative is to find someone to repair your existing subframe, or take a look yourself, clean off all the rust and paint it in nice new fresh black paint and it will probably pass as these rarely rot to the point of needing replacement

fv43576 · Oct 3, 2016

Thanks for let me know, I have other a good idea is remove my currently subframe & soak in white vinegar to remove rust much as possible with wire brush then spray anti rust paint to protection in the future, it will be splendid when the job is done.

Brendan W · Oct 3, 2016

Have a look at this thread. Don't know if yours is perforated but this seems to suggest it's not allowed to weld.
https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-ii/335441-front-subframe.html

fv43576 · Oct 3, 2016

I am lucky because there is no hole on metal yet so I can save this subframe, anyway thanks for post other tread

flisko · Oct 3, 2016

AndyRKett said:
Remember your car has updated suspension roll bars and shocks, it would not be at all out of the ordinary for the subframe to be the same plus a couple of small additions given that it's a special model and out of all the puntos sold only 153 diesel HGTs hit the road in the U.K. So finding scrapped cars is like hens teeth.

I had one, it got scrapped after an accident and the subframe was no longer entirely the same shape, so that rules that one out. They did a 1.9 Diesel on the elaganza and they did the 1.3 diesels, look to those for a replacement because they have different gearbox setups on the diesel cars.

Your alternative is to find someone to repair your existing subframe, or take a look yourself, clean off all the rust and paint it in nice new fresh black paint and it will probably pass as these rarely rot to the point of needing replacement

hgt diesel and petrol got different subframe?

AndyRKett · Oct 3, 2016

flisko said:
hgt diesel and petrol got different subframe?

It's quite possible, there are many unique parts on the Diesel hgt

AndyRKett · Oct 3, 2016

Brendan W said:
Have a look at this thread. Don't know if yours is perforated but this seems to suggest it's not allowed to weld.

https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-ii/335441-front-subframe.html

Having a look on some sites for MOT testers, it seems even they are not 100% sure what can and what can't be welded.

Subframe scan be welded but there are rules about "highly stressed areas"

Brendan W · Oct 3, 2016

AndyRKett said:
Having a look on some sites for MOT testers, it seems even they are not 100% sure what can and what can't be welded.

Subframe scan be welded but there are rules about "highly stressed areas"

Why am I not surprised

Bobtoo · Oct 4, 2016

Our Mk2B failed its MOT for subframe rust this year. Big hole just above the wishbone.

As you can see the rest of it is a bit crusty too.

I went to a scrapyard that had about 20 Puntos in stock. I noticed that every Mk2B had a rotten subframe, some much worse than ours, while every Mk2 had a good subframe. It's actually very easy to change and I don't think the diesel one will be different, the only connection to the engine is a stabiliser bar.

I transferred the subframe complete with bottom arms and anti roll bar, but you might need to retain your diesel ARB.

fv43576 · Oct 4, 2016

So your got hole that failed the MOT but my is rust but no hole why am I failed?

Brendan W · Oct 4, 2016

As Andy pointed out many things are subject to interpretation. Were you given the chapter and verse of what paragraph it failed on ?
It could come down to he didn't like the look of it.
Advising that the car was scrap sounds like he either didn't know subframes can be replaced or there is more than the subframe going rusty.
Some people have a dismissive attitude to rust and at the first sign they write the car off mentally. This can be down to a bad experience or two in the past where they tried to repair and shouldn't or it could simply be repeating things they heard their mates say.

flisko · Oct 4, 2016

fv43576 said:
So your got hole that failed the MOT but my is rust but no hole why am I failed?

maybe they are trolling you

fv43576 · Oct 4, 2016

Really? would it be lot different if I go booking different MOT garage would it pass?

Brendan W · Oct 4, 2016

Without seeing it I'm guessing. Maybe, if it's superficial rust and it got cleaned up and painted and the work looked like preventive, it just might. Stab it with the screwdriver like your life depended on it.

fv43576 · Oct 4, 2016

Thank you, I will shrub with wire brush and paint to last my car a bit longer.

Brendan W · Oct 4, 2016

Don't fool yourself. Give the subframe a proper workout and if in doubt.............
Man should never be the judge in his own case.

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