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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » don't know how you guys up north can deal with it

Aug. 29, 2008 6:58 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

While I bought my Saab in DC.. it was originally sold in Boston (surprise!) and immigrated to warmer climes after a few years. I have NEVER dealt with so many stuck and rusty bolts in my life.

Today I finally got the subframe dropped so I can replace the transmission. While already a PITA job, I managed to strip the head off of one of the bolts when it refused to budge to a 1/2 inch breaker bar and a 5 foot pole stuck on the end of it. The other five gave grudgingly, but this one just stripped it's head smooth.

I spent half an hour with an angle grinder sheering the head away before I could drop the frame. Of course, once I got the frame dropped.. the bolt gave easily under the force of a monkeywrench and a small pole. I guess the heat and vibration of the grinder broke it loose.

Bolt still attached to car.

Bolt with it's replacement, taken from a saab found in a junkyard (which incidently, I had no trouble removing this bolt)

Subframe sans car
Aug. 29, 2008 7:25 p.m. Woodyhfd HalfDork

Back when I had my Jeep, the general consensus was that in New England, I would put anti-seize on the same bolt that required Loctite in So-Cal.

I'd swear that even stainless and aluminum bolts would rust in place on a Jeep.
Aug. 29, 2008 7:38 p.m. ArtOfRuin Reader

I dread working on my Subie for that very reason. I snapped three suspension top hat bolts trying to install my strut tower bars. I grabbed bolts from two junked Imprezas just in case they decided to break on me.
Aug. 29, 2008 8:12 p.m. 914Driver HalfDork

Mad Machine, you're a spoiled bitch -- this is how our world turns. Sorry for your misery - appreciate ours.

Dan * rust chaser.com
Aug. 29, 2008 9:14 p.m. shuttlepilot New Reader

Thats a normal day to us. I took care of two fire wall bolts today to remove an ac system in need of a evaporator.

Wait till you have to cut out a section of a car to patch it.

(edited for bad grammar)
Aug. 29, 2008 11:25 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

well, honestly I am used to italian cars that leave perfect fasteners behind after all the sheet metal has rotted away
Aug. 30, 2008 8:00 a.m. grtechguy SuperDork

+
Aug. 30, 2008 8:18 a.m. petegossett Dork

That's why I make sure to coat the undercarriage of my car before winter every year. I've tried a few different products - that marine waxy/oil stuff, Eureka Fluid Film, even used oil(or if the car leaks anyway, I just help it out!).

They all seem to work about the same & with similar results. There will be less corrosion on nuts & bolts, but the undercarriage will get filthy & skanky from the stuff. You do need to re-coat the car each year for it to help.
Aug. 30, 2008 10:03 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

grtechguy wrote:

I was actually afraid to use heat on that bolt.. the subframe is aluminum. I did use PB Blast though, not that it really seemed to help any, the threads were buried behind 4 inches of subframe and as good as Blast is.. it does not travel upwards too easily
Aug. 30, 2008 11:41 a.m. wreckerboy SuperDork

This is why I am eternally grateful that the Primary Miata is a rust-free car from Charlotte, NC. Everything unscrews like buttah. By comparison, every fool fastener on the street Miata, which has lived it's life in the northeast and is surprisingly clean, has been a first water beeyotch. I really got spoiled living in NC for a few years.

Thank Bob Costas the Yotarolla never seems to need repairs, because things are probably going to require explosives to get it apart.
Aug. 30, 2008 4:57 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

I'm going to hate moving back up north and dealing with rust....
Aug. 30, 2008 7:26 p.m. racerboy000 None

rust you get used to it, like tornados and hurricanes?
Aug. 30, 2008 7:44 p.m. Nitroracer Dork

My first car lived most of its life in the baltimore area and the majority of its fasteners were rusted and well corroded too. It was a nissan nx2000 and I think 2-3 out of 8 screws were still holding the nose cone on.

In contrast my 68' ford from washington state has been nothing but a joy to work on. Everything comes apart just as it should and the car has very little rust.
Aug. 31, 2008 10:04 a.m. walterj HalfDork

That is why you don't ever fix an oil leak... self lubrication and rust protection.
Aug. 31, 2008 6:33 p.m. maroon92 SuperDork

I use AERO-Kroil religiously! michigan is the worst... Crown Vic frame rot sucks!
Aug. 31, 2008 8:12 p.m. hotrodlarry New Reader

That is why you don't ever fix an oil leak... self lubrication and rust protection.

Exactly...My '88GMC has a "built in" oil undercoating system in it AKA leaky oil pan gasket.
Aug. 31, 2008 10:36 p.m. Twin_Cam Dork

hotrodlarry wrote:

That is why you don't ever fix an oil leak... self lubrication and rust protection.

Exactly...My '88GMC has a "built in" oil undercoating system in it AKA leaky oil pan gasket.

My girlfriend's Chrysler LeBaron has the same system...must come standard with Mopars as well.
Sept. 1, 2008 11:36 a.m. Chris_V SuperDork

Nitroracer wrote:

My first car lived most of its life in the baltimore area and the majority of its fasteners were rusted and well corroded too. It was a nissan nx2000 and I think 2-3 out of 8 screws were still holding the nose cone on.

In contrast my 68' ford from washington state has been nothing but a joy to work on. Everything comes apart just as it should and the car has very little rust.

That's what I miss about living back in Washington state. Cars that don't even exist here on the east coast anymore, that are still clean and easy to work on there. AND no hurricanes, tornados or cali style earthquakes. ;) Here in Baltimore, things get rusty too easily. What I would have considered too rusty to work on and ready for the scrap pile back home is considered a clean, new car here....
Sept. 1, 2008 1:57 p.m. Nashco Dork

Yup, I spent my fair share of time in Michigan and worked on MI/PA/NY/OH cars, salt is the DEVIL!

Bryce
Sept. 2, 2008 12:42 p.m. curtis73 New Reader

I grew up in PA and Ontario, then I moved to California (earthquake territory) and now Texas (tornado alley).

In my life, I've dealt with literally thousands of rusty cars that have died long before their time and I have an actual flake of rust embedded in my cornea to prove it.

In my life I have experienced one earthquake that wasn't even able to be felt, and I have never seen a tornado.

In all the time I was in Los Angeles having to deal with the really awesome weather, I was reminded of the snow and rain back east and started getting really pissed off when someone from PA told me they couldn't deal with the earthquakes. I guarantee that snow, rain, extreme weather, and salt do billions of dollars more damage than the earthquakes that "burden" us once every 50 years. Tornados suck, but take a look around Texas. There are millions of historical houses that haven't even been touched by tornado damage. Tornados are scary, but its like trying to kill Godzilla with a #000 scalpel. The net damage is miniscule compared to one ice storm that blankets three states.

Thanks... I'll take my tornados and earthquakes. At least insurance covers them, but it doesn't cover rust on your car. And, in the meantime I'll enjoy my average summer temperatures of 82 and average winter temps of 57.

Pass me another Margarita and get out of my sun :)
Sept. 2, 2008 1:00 p.m. SoloSonett Reader

grtechguy wrote:

+

Two tools, that No garage in Oh, hi ya cn do without!

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