daz_gizmo

Took my O4 231 RX8 for it's MOT today and it has failed on the following:
001 Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded nearside rear (outer sill) (2.4.A.3)

002 Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded offside rear (outer sill) (2.4.A.3)

Anyone got any ideas on how much this will cost or if it's worth getting it repaired?

Anyone local (Nottingham, East Midlands) want to give me a quote?

Thanks in advance

Daz

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Going to need a lot more detail than that. No way to tell what the issue is

You could likely get a used rear subframe in good condition and swap it out if it the subframe is the issue

If it is where it mounts to the frame that's not good news...

ouimetnick

Why not upload some photos of the rust so we can look at it and give you some ideas?

daz_gizmo

Thanks
I will try to take some photos but maybe I need to get it on a ramp to do so...

daz_gizmo

Here is one photo - if this helps?





RX8 sill front of rear driver side wheel

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

You may want to have another inspector look at it. That area is not structural and has nothing to do with the suspension. I'm not sure what your standards are though....it may be Uber expensive to fix of they want all that stuff fixed

daz_gizmo

Thanks - Could I not have photographed the correct area?.....Is it something to do with being within 300mm of the suspension?

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

That area is not structural...so I can't see it being the issue. You likely must have rust underneath where the subframe mounts??

I would still get a second opinion if that is what they are upset about

daz_gizmo

Thanks
The description they put on the failure certificate seems unclear....That is the "outer sill" but you are mentioning the subframe mounts...

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

I'm just curious as to why they would fail it for the non-structural rust in the sill. Seems silly without other rust someplace structural. Does the inspection place have a vested interest in making you fix that rust?

daz_gizmo

No, they cannot do any welding...got to take it elsewhere. Like you say if this is not the correct area I have photographed (I was going by the Outer Sill bit) then this could explain it.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

MOT ? I assume u are from UK ?

it doesn't matter if we think it's ok or not, it's the inspector that matters.

if he sees any rust/corrosion, u fail, the fastest way to get it fix is just get some underbody rubber spray and cover the area, re-check, and u will pass.

ouimetnick

Either way, that looks terrible. My 2004 is similar. Look at my thread. Really hate how Mazda designed the wheel arches. It's almost like they wanted it to rust. The double flange, the chef at the bottom of the arch, the carpeted wheel liner that traps moisture.

I almost think it's planned obsolesce on their part, but they had a big issue with the Mazda3, and they seemed to have changed their wheel arch design to prevent buildup of crap.

daz_gizmo

It is terrible and yes I did see your thread, been given an estimate of £396.00 but may go up depending how much they have to cut away.
I cannot believe that 12 months ago it passed and now loads of metal/rot has to be replaced with new steel.
Why don't manufacturers think a bit more about seams and avoiding dirt collectors.

daz_gizmo

Had a call today from Betta-Fit:

Just to let you know we have spent 6 hrs welding up the sill and surrounding areas including the inner wheel arch on the drivers side, we are hoping that the passenger side is not as bad.

They have never seen one so bad... Said it was probably because when the car was bought over from Mazda it was stored at Bristol...

ouimetnick

Post some photos of the repair. Mazda, mid 2000s fords, Old Hondas and Toyotas seem to have rust issues. Chrysler/Dodge have terrible rust issues, especially with their van. Saabs seem to fare well (a 1996 Saab 900S where I work has some small wheel arch rust.. Not bad for a 20 year old car driven year round in New England)

Audi, BMW and Porsche seem to hold up. I don't see many of them with rusting. Mercedes tend to rust, although 2005 and newer seem to hold up.

Newer Mazdas have a redesigned wheel arch area that looks like what I find in the old Audis. Seems like a smart move.

daz_gizmo

Well after 10 hours of Garage welding by Betta-Fit,
Re MOTed and they found more problems and advisories.
They had to mackle up a Battery clamp as it did not have one...ETS did not pick this up.
Advisories like further corrosion, corrosion on break pipes, coolant leak...

£748.00 spent...
Will take some photos when I get change

They did tell me that the engine was top notch (Thanks Steve at MX5 Motors who rebuilt it a couple of years ago, they could not believe the emission results. The guy did know a fair bit about the engine and said.

These are the MOT Exhaust Emmision Test Results:

Fast Idle Test - Pass
Engine Speed - 2840 RPM - Pass - 2500 min/3000 max
CO - 0.04% Vol - Pass - 0.20 max
HC 11 ppm - Pass - 200 max
Lambda - 1.010 - Pass - 0.970 min/1.030 max
Natural Idle Test - Pass
Engine Speed - 800 RPM - Pass - 450 min/1500 max
CO 0.00% Vol - Pass - 0.30 max
Overall Result Exhaust Emissions Test - Pass
Engine oli temperature check: Temperature gauge showed warm engine

ouimetnick

They are awfully picky. I just had the RustX-8 inspected today. 5 minutes. Quick look around, check the turn signals, horn, headlights, tires, Plug in the OBD II and it passed.

They didn't even put it on a lift. They said the rust isn't an issue because it's not in a structural area.