I was under the car a while ago fixing my heatshield over the muffer as it was only held in with one screw and was completely lying on top of the muffler. 6 screws later it'* all fixed.

Before I even got the first screw in I noticed this:

This would be the driver'* side of the rear sway bar.

subframe = hole where it should be mounted...I can see trunk carpet-looking material inside.

This is what it is supposed to look like:


Any thoughts on how hard this would be to have fixed? It'* obviously NOT helping my handling considering I have horrible struts in the rear as well (unless I was wrong about the struts and this is what is making the noises). This is not going to be a cheap fix. :(

My old 93 had frame rot like that too....You could get fancy, and remove both sides, and have plate steel welded over top on both sides to keep them at the same height i guess, then rebolt it back up?

That was my initial thought too. A piece that could bend around the edges of the frame...and it shouldn't be too hard or time consuming for a welder. I don't think this is an emergency as I've been driving it like this for who knows how many 1000s of miles. I'm sure the rubber undercoating crap that someone generously sprayed everywhere did not help this rot.

It'* a shame this hidden damage exists under all the beauty this car has outside and inside. :(

Ontario car man, salt! My first 93 was from Waterloo Ontario, and trust me, it had the same issues.
Atleast it doesnt affect the drivability to to bad..

wow thats a lot of rust but looks fixable.

Yes it'* bad.
Hahaha I used to live in northern Ontario and I know what it does to the cars underbody parts and frames.

Welded metal repair is the only way to go with suspension mountings. That is a critical component for the ride and handling of your vehicle. You had better gitterdone purdy quik. :P

I just went for a drive. No more rattling from the exhaust...but the rear struts/sway bar sure are noticeable. It handles fine and has handled ok in normal driving, which is what I do 99% of the time. I drive the limit and don't do any crazy cornering, so it should be fine for a while. I guess I'll get some estimates from some shops in the meantime. I know what salt can do since I used to live in the Salt City (Syracuse).

Good thing CT uses sand! (maybe a mixture of both in some places)

They got it right. Cut the rot out with a grinder, weld in frame gussets, then weld the new brackets to the gussets. Probably won't cost as much as you think.
Be sure to paint over the new pieces.

weld a plate in place

awhile back i was workin at the garage and a bonneville came in and the rear lower control arm mount rotted away from the chasis which left the motorist stranded

I just wonder if there'* rot in other areas that may cause problems down the road. Makes me wonder if it'* going to last as long as I hope it does.