[ebosco]

Hello everyone,

I'm glad I found this forum! My daughter who just got her first job out of college just purchased a 2008 Forester from an individual. Outside and inside it is in excellent condition and it comes with a long maintenance history of receipts, so mechanically is in pretty good shape. However it spent all it's life in the North east, so I got worried about rust. I put it up on some ramps and there is rust everywhere, but most of it seems like surface rust, except in the two areas on the rear where it is pretty bad. The picture are from under the rear door jambs.

What do people think? Is this a safety concern? Fixable by someone who knows how to weld? We are not looking to keep it for another 10 years... She needs to get 3 years or so out of this car and will still be driving in the snow.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[vintage42]

... 2008 Forester... spent all it's life in the North east... there is rust everywhere, but most of it seems like surface rust, except in the two areas on the rear where it is pretty bad... Is this a safety concern? Fixable by someone who knows how to weld?...

It looks terrible, but unless a suspension part is compromised, is probably not unsafe. Check the front control arms, as there was recall to paint or replace them.

Article:

Recall: Subaru Forester, Impreza and Saab 9-2X—corrosion of suspension component

Subaru is recalling 295,123 2002 to 2007 Impreza, 2003 to 2008 Forester, and 2005 to 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles due to corrosion, which could cause the front lower control arm in affected vehicles to break. The control arm could break...

www.consumerreports.org

The recall:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10199955-0001.pdf

One of several forum threads:

('03-'05) - 2005 - Sub Frame and control arms...

Notice bad rust on my control arms a few days ago. Went to local Subaru dealer and they said they were coated years ago, but need replacing now. Probably won't be covered under recall. Also said should replace subframes on both side, quoted me $1500+? Not sure if I can replace these. Has anyone...

www.subaruforester.org

 

[ebosco]

Thank you! I spent some more quality time under the car and I did check the control arms up front. They look almost new, so they must have been replaced/painted. I poked around this bad rust area and it is only the sill. All the structural parts seem sound. I think there might have been the pinch weld where one can lift the car and that must have gotten scratch/dented. If I shine a light into the hole where the sill should be, about an 1-2" up you see rust free clean paint. I could try a body shot to cut out the rust and weld a sill back on. Or I'm wondering if I should just cut out the jagged parts and then put a rust blocker like Por-15 and call it a day...

 

[vintage42]

... I could try a body shot to cut out the rust and weld a sill back on. Or I'm wondering if I should just cut out the jagged parts and then put a rust blocker like Por-15 and call it a day...

Looks like someone put the jack on the pinch weld instead of around it.
I don't know if you can buy a sill as a part. The POR-15 looks easy and effective.

https://www.amazon.com/POR-15-45108-Clear-Preventive-Coating/dp/B00J6D244W/ref=asc_df_B00J6D244W/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312153125665&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7988617647649693072&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1017806&hvtargid=pla-569424364704&th=1

 

[Theseus161]

You’re best bet would be to replace the heavily rusted parts.