2002-2007 Saturn Vue Frame Rust Problems - SEE DESCRIPTION
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- čas přidán 1. 10. 2019
- I describe where to look for rust on these SUVS and showing my own personal one as an example of how bad they can be.
UPDATE
My process of rust converter and painting only slowed it down and didn't stop the rust. Prob never converted properly and just covered it. The car shown was scrapped, after I already rebuilt the cradle points and trailing arm boxes. The trailing arm started to knock meaning the box that was already repaired has failed. There was no saving it cause it was too far gone. Both rockers were completely rusted out, cradle points were starting to rust again.
Check these areas to ensure you aren't getting a ticking time bomb, cause if its bad enough, rust will eventually spread and destroy the rest of the frame till it's unsafe to drive. Learn from my mistakes. I recommend using something like fluid film or surface shield to protect the underside of you plan to drive it in the rust belt if rust has not already started.
Check:
Front cradle attachment points - These are easily checked in the front most portion of the front wheel well. There should be a square shaped hole with a cage but that holds the front corner on the cradle to the body. These are usually the first part to go out. These can be repaired as many have come up with solutions.
Rockers - These will also rust out over time if not cleaned and driven on dirt roads. They like to back up with dirt and rocks on the inside and then clog the drains and sit in the pinch welds. This causes rotting from the inside out. If a section is missing, it needs to be fixed ASAP or it will spread as now crud can get inside it alot easier. Look underneath as the plastic or painted piece is just a cover. Check to see they are still solid.
Trailing arm boxes - The trailing arm uses this part of the frame as a pivot point as well as a way to prevent forwards and backward movement or the multi link rear suspension when braking. The box the mount attaches to likes to rot from the inside out. Usually the cage nuts on the backside also like to break off and force you to cut the box open to remove the mount. Make sure it isn't rust and solid as well as other parts of the car.
If unsure, take it to your local mechanic so it can be inspected before purchase.
Remember rust never sleeps.
I just snagged up a 2007 about a week ago that has some good rust developed. The main frame looks okay and it was just up on a hoist twice and didn’t crush or anything while the muffler was being fixed. But I noticed my front subframe cups/boxes are rusted through and felt like wet powder they have advanced that much. The trailing arm mounts look okay and the rockers have some rust in the front and middle areas. I paid $3000 for it and kinda wish I did give them a look over a little harder with a screwdriver.
It took me a good while to save that money up and am feeling a bit discouraged for sure but I’m hoping at least that the subframe mounts can be fixed so I can get another year or two out of it at a minimum. This one is the 3.5L V6 and it just hit 130k miles..
Thanks so much for this video.... Great information! I was looking into buying a 2004 Saturn VUE for a family memeber. This will be a starter car, not going to make an offer until it goes up on a lift!
Thank you so much. I am grateful for your video😀
I bought a 2007 Saturn relay. Msg me on msgr-- I was taken to the cleaners, y a private seller.... didn't think to look at the under carriage.... the whole sub frame is rotted. Are there recalls or class action lawsuits with the saturn relay.... please let me know if you have heard anything.
Thank you for sharing, how's your experience with the rust converter ? How long were you able to drive the car? Thank you
Thank you so much buddy I’m In Ohio will look to see who can work on it
Any advice on how to fix the trailing arm mounts? Mine has rotted all the way through so I dont have anything to bolt the arm itsself to under the passenger seat. Drilled 2 holes in the body under the seat and made a bracket. Only lasted 1 winter before it fell apart again.
Do you have a video of rebuilding the trailing arm bracket mount?
Jon, is there anyone who sells a frame bracket for the trailing arm? My driver's side trailing arm bracket is roached out (broken and paper thin) and the whole assembly is free floating.
That's the result of "planned obsolescence".
Manufacturers want you to buy a new car every 10 years so that they can get rich.
I have a 2006 saturn vue 3.5 FWD, and i have alot of rust in the rear of car but i just noticed the bolt to the rear driver side subframe broke off at the head and it loose enough to turn by hand... How do i replace That bolt??? its the bolt right behind the stabilizer bar... thanks hope you can help...
Wow! I'm soo lucky the 07 i picked up doesn't have a spec of rust.
Im about to go look at one of these tomorrow.
My customer thinks I can pull a welding miracle on the cheap.
I hate this kind of work tho it has made me money.
Yeah currently, mine is too far gone to be repaired anymore and I'll be grabbing a replacement and will try rust preventative right off the bat. I wish they designed the frames better on these vehicles as everything else on it has been problem free.
I have an 06 vue where the front frame, where you have to drop down for the accuracy compressor is rusted through on both sides. Is it worth it to get it repaired.Thanks
Might be able to just loosen the mounts for the engine and trans and just lift it to get enough room to slide the ac compressor between the engine and the frame. I never done this before but it's something I would look into. I wouldn't drop the whole subframe if it's not needed.
I have the 2004, have had it for quite a while. It was an even trade for a nice pop up camper. I haven’t paid much attention to the underside and the tire shop never alerted me to what I have found…..looking at the car from the front just inward from the tires is rusted so bad that the passenger side is free floating and the drivers side is hanging in there by a prayer!! I’m scared to death that the motor will end up on the road and my car will do ass over elbow if I hit one of the beloved ohio potholes!! I have it parked in the garage and am not driving it now but was wondering what it would take to fix it if it is even salvageable? I’m buying a new car in 2 days but if I can get that issue fixed I could give the car away to someone who needs it rather than scrap it
I’m at 196,500 miles but other than the rusted out issue I have full faith that this car would last me at least another 3 year’s mechanically….it’s an awesome running vehicle, such a shame about the rust issues underneath because the body is great too
Yea I bought a saturn lemon also. I have a control arm tha rotted off.
What's the other car in the video?
what kind of of paint did you use? Can you provide the name of the brand, and where I might be able to purchase the paint. I have a 2005 Saurn Vue and it's a manual which has rot in the sub frame in the front of the car near both front tires.
I would only use oil or wax type protectants like fluid film or surface shield. Applies alot easier and is self healing. However needs to reapplied/touched up at least once a year. The rust converter and paint didn't work good enough.
How much high mileage I’m coming in I’m just doing some research how much high mileage? Mine is only 160,000 miles I know I got some rust under it I’m not discouraged
Best to get it treat and taken care of soon before it gets this bad.
Wish I had watched this video 3 days ago.
I don't want to look under mine ill be scared for what ill see. We bought it before looking it over good. Other than that the car has been low maintenance for a few years and it's a great car.
Also this isn't a new video. But if you have the 4 cylinder in yours. They love to drink oil, check regularly.
Yeah it's been very reliable, and yes it's the 2.2 Ecotec which burns a quart between oil changes.
Can u fix mine plz
I just bought 2004 please help and tell me I can fix this :(
What parts are rotten? Anything can be fixed but it's finding someone to do it is the issue. No one wants to deal with the liability aspects of rust repair.
Jon Noonfelt The entire bottom of the car. I’m trying to contact the person who sold it to me and they aren’t being responsible I feel so stupid for this purchase
@@ciararodriguez6610 Yeah it's almost impossible to hold sellers accountable which is why it's important to check the vehicle from top to bottom and inside to outside before paying. Depending what rotten, it can be fixed or slowed down.
Girl me too u gotta see mine I just got back from getting my oil changed and now I have to change the wheel arms before they fly off while I'm driving💯🤬...I'm heated
I just seen mine is rust bad idk wht to do now
You can either:
1) repair and patch for structural components like frame and suspension components mounts
2) coat it with a rust converter and paint to slow down the rust progression for large areas that are too far gone to patch
3) part the car out and get a different one
I been doing 1) and 2) and the car seems to be under control, I do need to retouch the frame every 6 months to keep dry and salt free
GM asked the federal government for a loan of 178 billion dollars for bankruptcy prevention, and the C.E.O. and execs went to collect the money in their private Lear jets. And the government gave them the money anyways.
This happened to me..the dealer lied to me. They knew i was buying excited to have a truck to transport my disabled son and homelles animals i help. Today i was backing up made a noise like i hit a car. Very dangerous to drive. Im here broke no money this is evil...cant do anything about it
i bought a 06 vue AWD with 80,000 miles on it in 2018.......i have had nothing but problems with the car since i got it.......and it just lost a cylinder the other day so i had to get another car.....also my frame is very rusty as well....stay away from these things.....in my experience they are junk