Any fix for the dreaded engine cradle/unibody rust through?

[polo]

OK... well, it finally happened...

I now have the dreaded known issue where the engine cradle meets the unibody rusting through

As with others, it is on the driver's side - one mount is completely rusted through and the other is loose.

The other two on the right side are fine I am told.

I had no idea until I searched this forum - after bringing it into the shop and having them tell me that is what the problem was.

I was just driving along, car running perfect as usual, and then I heard a clunk sound.

Is there ANY "fix" for this...?

The shop told me there might be some sort of welding "solution".

This really sucks because the car is in excellent condition inside and out - other than the rust through on the left driver's side.

The shop said that the rest of the undercarriage looks good.

HELP!

[polo]

Yikes...

3 days and no response...

Not a good sign...

[mikesica]

I got a new cradle installed a couple of months ago on my Bonneville. My mechanic described the issue the same way you did. I live in the Chicago area, and rust is a killer here.

Where do you live?

[polo]

I got a new cradle installed a couple of months ago on my Bonneville. My mechanic described the issue the same way you did. I live in the Chicago area, and rust is a killer here.

Where do you live?

Right above you, Wisconsin.

Was yours rusted out also - or just getting there but not rusted out yet...?

I have to find a fix for this - I love this car and the rest of it is in great shape.

Thanks!

[95naSTA]

I mean, it's unibody or subframe rust or both. One is replaceable, the other requires cutting and welding. It's been done and unless the pics were on photobucket, you'll find them.

There's no kit or easy solution.

[mikesica]

Mine was rusted out. New cradle installed.

[carl]

Hello,
Had to say goodbye to my 02 Lesabre last summer due to rear coil spring breaking through the trunk thanks to the rust and crust state of IL . Saddest thing about it, I could still spin the tires and the car rode tight as ever despite the rust. Still had amazing torque for an NA motor of that year. Over 300k miles and wanted to squeeze in one more winter.

The tow driver drove it right up the bed and gave me 400 dollars. Sad... even sadder I thought of a solution after he left. Welding a 1/4 thick steel plate to cover the entire front half trunk surface area so I could work off the meat that was left and secure a spring mount...that would have gotten me through the winter without the spring busting completely through or sliding into the gas tank and put me ridin on flames.

Onto your issue which I had many years ago.. like around 2014. The subframe mounts broke through the rusted subframe and left a giant gaping hole. All 4 rear mounts of the front sub were on the way out. I'm not sure if your whole subframe is gone since its 2022 but at that time the rest of the frame still had some meat. I replaced all four rear mounts with hockey pucks and giant washers to override the giant holes... and it was still fine when I let it go 2022. Otherwise if its too far gone the only option is replace.

On happier news I found an 04 Lesabre with 29,000 original miles in mint condition....You can keep your Toyotas, Audis, or Hyuandis and all the other foreign jobs...at least until China perfects those $15k EV batteries that crap out every few years.