Busted My Poopoo Valve

[ColdFusion]

Well not quite...

So driving to work yesterday evening I noticed something wrong with my steering as I got close to work. I had to hold the steering wheel to the right a bit to keep the car straight, thought it was a bit strange. I had noticed my front right castor was less than the left a few days earlier and thought it may have been the adjustment coming loose, made a note to check it at home. Driving home from work this morning with my mate in his own car (I had told him about the steering issue), he comes up next to me and says to pull over on the next road as my right rear wheel has a lot more camber than the left. Got out and had a look, thinking my wheel nuts had come loose or something. Wheel nuts looks fine, but I notice the increased camber and some toe out.

Have a look underneath the car from the rear...

Yeah so I drove home very slowly...

That's the right rear lower control arm rear mount. The rusty spots looks like where it's been cracked for a while and the fresh metal is where it's cracked off yesterday.

I only really want to know if I can get this welded up or if I have to replace the whole subframe. I'm leaning towards welding a new mount or even just cleaning it up and welding it back on with maybe some corner bracing to strengthen it. It also looks to still be attached at the top side.

And also who could do this kind of work SOR? Maybe Lee Sanders? If you know anyone that can do this sort of thing (closer to Armadale the better) that would be some great help as I was hoping to attend the JDMWA meet

[sev]

only my opinion, and im not a mechanic or fabricator etc, but i would never weld it back up. it would drive me crazy once its fixed. i'd grab a replacement and grab a couple of cans of galv spray or anti rust and tidy any bits you can up

[jjman]

replacing the whole rear subframe is a bit of a mission, but if its what you got to do its what you got to do.

Nonetheless, i cant see any reason why you couldnt weld this up and brace it etc...

P.S. dont drive that, if that trailing arm manages to break completely loose you'll do alot of damage to alot of components (suspension, and bodywork.)

[mz.qiksky]

I would be more inclined to replace it, especially if you plan on keeping the car. Maybe weld it up for short term use or to just go to the JDM meet.

My mates 32 did the same thing, except it broke clean off, your lucky to have caught it.

[Nic_A31]

Replace it.

Other welds all over the subframe won't be too far behind with rusting out.

[ColdFusion]

Yeah i was never going to drive it again with that sort of damage. Way too risky if it breaks through. I'm am thinking, though, weld it as a temp repair and get the sub frame checked out and replace as neccessary. Kinda poo seeing as I only got the car in february :\

[jjman]

Kinda poo seeing as I only got the car in february :\

welcome to skyline ownership. there is always something to be done/breaking.

havent tried modifying n upping the power yet have you? then it starts getting really interesting...

[ColdFusion]

welcome to skyline ownership. there is always something to be done/breaking.

havent tried modifying n upping the power yet have you? then it starts getting really interesting...

Oh nah i've owned and been working on skylines for over 8 years now. Far from not knowing things randomly break and stop working. I've just never had something major, like that, break before. It's already got an RB25 with a GTRS putting out over 300+rwhp. Guess the 2 way didn't help it in the antibreaking of rear end bits department either lol. Might be a sign to finally get my own welder?