Update with scary picture - W204 2008 rear subframe failure

[Jim2]

No

Once star is plugged into a car and does a short test, the chassis number is subject to a repair forecast, the forecast is shown at the top of the test, this comes from the factory and goes on some fault codes or vin number, once you read the forecasts, you and hit a thumbs up button to alert the factory that the forecast cure they give you was correct or thumbs down if it don’t cure it!!!! That’s how I see it anyway, probably wrong lol!!!

I don't think you are wrong Cole.... most likely the correct explanation. As all reporting / repairs etc are entered into a central computer system. it will automatically flag any series of reports, and extrapolate from those. But if I had one of these, I would be putting it on the lift, and checking it out. I will even check my w212 now, just to be on the safe side...……

 

[Blobcat]

2nd one in two weeks, Quality german cars!!! View attachment 46863 View attachment 46862 View attachment 46863

What car and what age?

 

[Cole@MBS]

What car and what age?

2009 SLK Russ.......

 

[stwat]

They really are built down to a price now aren't they?

 

[Blobcat]

2009 SLK Russ.......

Is there a dislike button around here someplace??

 

[alexanderfoti]

Once star is plugged into a car and does a short test, the chassis number is subject to a repair forecast, the forecast is shown at the top of the test, this comes from the factory and goes on some fault codes or vin number, once you read the forecasts, you and hit a thumbs up button to alert the factory that the forecast cure they give you was correct or thumbs down if it don’t cure it!!!! That’s how I see it anyway, probably wrong lol!!!

Aha, so they are predicting corrosion based on build date etc, and we are confirming it!!

That must mean that batches of unprotected subframes or something during the manufacturer process has changed.

Nothing like a tesla esque customer test bed!

 

[Cole@MBS]

It seems to be getting worse, we have two c classes in and a 171 SLK all needing new rear frames!!!

This is the one out the SLK, belongs to a old forum member......

 

[Uncle Benz]

I did a w204, 2009 the other day. They are barely making ten years in some cases. Appalling.

 

[Jim2]

I did a w204, 2009 the other day. They are barely making ten years in some cases. Appalling.

"Appalling " Uncle Benz??? does not even begin to describe it !!!! ( I'm not sure what word would describe it either !! ) Just how did it NOT collapse??? The mind not only boggles, but turns somersaults !!! They are as bad an example of sub-frame rust as I have ever seen, and believe me...I have seen plenty. Have to have been exposed to heavy salt gritting at some stage, is the only explanation I can think of. "Ordinary" surface rust would not have eaten it's way through the metal to that extent and in that space of time.. Bad anti corrosion treatment, I guess. But that's simply not good enough in a top marque like Mercedes. I hope that by now it has been sorted.

 

[Uncle Benz]

They always rot around the welds in the HAZ. It could be they are welded and then spray painted just on the outside. Or the HAZ is not prepped adequately before painting, but I am speculating. One thing I have noticed is the metal is surprisingly thin. It appears to be thinner on these than the older w202/w203 subframes.

 

[Blobcat]

I think I'm going to have to get underneath mine presently and see what mine looks like

 

[Wighty]

I think I'm going to have to get underneath mine presently and see what mine looks like

I spent a couple of hours under both my cars this summer , rustproofing/treating and spraying Dinitrol around and inside any subframe voids

 

[Blobcat]

I spent a couple of hours under both my cars this summer , rustproofing/treating and spraying Dinitrol around and inside any subframe voids

I've some MB warranty on mine so I want to take a look and if it needs replacing then i'll be contacting them presently...
The underside is very clean and looks in good condition, I need to get properly underneath to really see what's going on as I don't fancy any of the failures as per above.

 

[00slk]

Unfortunately, cars are built to rust otherwise the manufactures, car repairs and breakers wouldn't be in business.
I have broken up many cars that have been uneconomical repair due to rust, some I had receipts for for £15,000 of rust repair which date 14 years ago that the work was carried out. A car I am breaking at the moment is only held together via the soft top! This too came with £5000 of past rust repairs. What amazed me was the fact that the new panels fitted were painted inside as well.
Any new parts need to be wax oiled or some other form of preventive treat applied, keep air, water and salt away from bare metal.

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Rear subframes and bushes are the core of our work now. We have already done 2 sets this week....

 

[Capra]

Rear subframes and bushes are the core of our work now. We have already done 2 sets this week....

Hi Steve, is it an expensive job to get mine W204 treated to protect from future rust?

 

[LostKiwi]

I'm surprised there hasn't been much noise in the press about this. It's a major safety issue - can you imagine an arm coming loose at motorway speeds?

 

[Flyinspanner]

Maybe they started using Lancias old steel supplier

 

[umblecumbuz]

I spent a couple of hours under both my cars this summer , rustproofing/treating and spraying Dinitrol around and inside any subframe voids

Many subframes have vent holes, and it makes more sense to spray Waxoyl into these - watching to see when the mist comes out of the opposite holes - than to treat just the external bits you can see.

There is a flexible wand, about a metre long, that can be fitted onto the normal Waxoyl gun that will slide into a subframe or sill through any small hole, and can be drawn through while under pressure, so that every internal surface gets treated.

 

[LostKiwi]

Maybe they started using Lancias old steel supplier

Even Lancias lasted longer than that.