Rear Subframe Damage

[snobalz]

So I was the lucky recipient of a rear end accident in my 2002 B6 A4 1.8T Quattro 5MT sports package. I've had it since 2005 and it currently has about 140K miles. I've babied it its whole life. Unfortunately, the other driver hit my drivers side rear rim/tire primarily and appears to have bent the rear subframe as the tire is pushed about 2 inches forward in the wheel well. The autobody shop I took it to only looked at the body damage and didn't mention any sort of frame damage. Seeing the odd wheel position I jacked the car up and noticed that the rear subframe appears to be bent. After reading all the posts on the nightmares of aligning a rear subframe I was wondering if anyone knows of a good independent shop in Issaquah/Redmond area that has knowledge on possibly replacing the rear subframe? I'm sure it won't be cost effective but I love this car and hate to see it head to the crusher!

[Nollywood]

If the rear subframe is distorted in any way, the car will be totalled. Once the subframe is distorted, the 4 pick-up points will be out of square too. More trapezoid than square.

So, if a replacement subframe is obtained, it won’t bolt up to all 4 of the mounting points on the shell. The shell will need to go on a jig, and you’re talking a lot of labor. It takes a lot of time to prepare a car for jig work - in the areas your car is affected in, the whole rear end will need to be stripped:

Rear suspension.
Rear subframe with differential.
Gas tank.
All trim in luggage compartment.

It can be a nightmare getting a replacement subframe on square, even removing and replacing the original will require a good alignment shop to get it right. Worse if it’s a shell than has been on a jig. If the car develops an unhealthy appetite for tires, who do you blame? The alignment shop, or the shop that performed the jigging?

I would personally let the car go. It’s almost 17-years-old, and is definitely not a desirable model. Your call, though.

[SoCal Ian]

Best wishes in getting this solved ASAP- whether it be shop or new car. Here in SoCal, it pays to have good insurance as evidenced by the 405 freeway, anytime of day. I feel your pain.


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[snobalz]

Thanks for the reply Nollywood! That was what I was afraid. I had just replaced pretty much everything major on the car over the past year (TB, water pump, clutch, tires, coolant lines etc) and was hoping to keep it as a commuter but sounds like she maybe heading to the graveyard as a parts car. I was hoping to win the frame lottery and defy all physics but highly doubt that after reading your response.

[snobalz]

Best wishes in getting this solved ASAP- whether it be shop or new car. Here in SoCal, it pays to have good insurance as evidenced by the 405 freeway, anytime of day. I feel your pain.


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Appreciate the sentiment! I ended up getting a 2016 S4 in her place but still have an attachment to the old gal. The insurance company was actually really cool. They totaled the car and let me buy it back for $200. Ha I'm sure the guy that hit me found his text message to be more important at the time.

[mauromj]

Ive got a couple complete rear sub frames if you need one. I am in Pullman though.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

The insurance company was actually really cool. They totaled the car and let me buy it back for $200.

Sounds like a blessing and a curse all wrapped up as one! It might be interesting to try replacing the sub-frame, unless you can see right from the start that the mounting points on the car are moved. If so, then yea, parts car.

[Kevin C]

Older cars total out so easily with just body damage, once you add in any kind of suspension work it's definitely game over. That and if you fix it it has to go through an inspection and you get a branded title. At that point its way better to just find another clean shell. Sounds like you picked up a nice replacement!

[B6Sticks]

Enjoy your new car and part it out! Even just the interior and front end you can make a couple grand. Upgrades for your new car!

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