[Mountain Escape]

Hey guys,

I found another issue with my 2012 Ford Escape Limited. I was changing my tires from winter to summer when i noticed there was a hole in the front sub frame.

This looks unsafe but not too bad, I did some research and found out that there is an issue with the ac drain pouring water all over that passenger side sub frame causing it to rot out. Any suggestions on finding a replacement? Have you guys replaced with a used sub frame or bought a new one? Prices are varying in Canada between 450 dollars new to 650 dollars.

For safetys sake I think I should have this addressed asap. Is there anything else you guys think I should be looking out for. i was thinking of replacing the whole front suspension while I am getting this work done. Full front struts, lower control arms, sway bar bushings, stabilizer bars, tie rods. CV Shafts have been replaced when I bought the car. The way that this passed safety is past me with subframe rot like this.

AC drain is behind, not source of problem. Clean evap water will not corrode like that. I dont think I would have passed it either.

rot looks extensive.
I would not continue driving it, failure looks imminent. Dont know your mileage, but if you got the dough I would do a complete rebuild... it is hard to say what other issues may become apparent. I bet you will find more rot though.
I don't know if that was you talking about rebuilding rear shock upper mounts recently, but I would inspect those as well.

 

[Mountain Escape]

Seriously, did you Carfax? The way that rot looks, I have seen that on sunken ships.
I don't want to be a negative Nelly.

I will recommend not driving it anymore, I do not agree with Mario(no offense my friend ) sticking the Band-Aid brace on it.

The rot on the rest of the frame/body must look the same. ) :
Sorry Shadow, I am sure that is not what you want to hear.

 

[Mountain Escape]

I always do a Carfax, it came out clean but not everything gets reported.

I don't mind fixing it, just looking for advice on this. Do you know if it needs new bolts? If so which bolts does it need?

The body doesn't have rust on it. Just that subframe is rotten from what I see. I removed the spare tire and looked under there. The rear sub frame has some surface rust. The sheet metal of the car still has the factory colour on it.

I am not aware of any single use fasteners, I would spend a week shooting a penetrating oil daily on all bolts before you attempt it.

 

[Mountain Escape]

Work complete, everything went smoothly, bolts came out with no issues, I sprayed them down with PB Blaster a few days before. I got the new bolts from ford, I was only able to get the front bolts but they came out no issues.

Part Number for front bolts are W714402 S439
Part Number for rear bolts are W500749 S439
Part Number for the Subframe 9L8Z 5C145 A
Control Arm L & R - MCSOE 32 and MCSOE 33

I also replaced the lower control arms, sway bar bushings, and sway bar end links. The rack and pinion were fine so I didn't have to mess with anything there. I got an alignment done after and I can report that everything is quiet, smooth, and stable.

thank you for the update, shadow