I'm starting to notice that the unibody of my loyale is becomeing a wear item. The more and more frequent welding of the suspension mounting points back to the rest of the body was the first sign, but I had a much more suprising sign present it's self recently. I used to brag that I could open and shut all the doors normally with the car flexed out, AKA two opposing wheels off the ground. Not true anymore. The back hatch door shifts sideways about 3/4" when you go to open it, enough that it hits the taillight when you slam it shut. The side doors get more finiky about hitting the striker right. All bad signs.

 

I have to think that all those little spot welds that hold the car together have each been worked, and now have some bend to them. I guess that offroading abuse is catching up to the old wagon. 177k indicated, 184k actual, and the body is done. I knew it was it's last year when I got it inspected in january, but this confirms it.

Perhaps you can have a look at where exactly it shifts? This will allow people with still intact cars strengthen that part of the unibody for off and onroad purposes.

 

Still sad to hear, but atleast you were expecting it.

Perhaps you can have a look at where exactly it shifts? This will allow people with still intact cars strengthen that part of the unibody for off and onroad purposes.

 

Still sad to hear, but atleast you were expecting it.

 

 

He's in New Hampshire. No amount of strengthening will save a car forever there. Too much Salt.

 

Those of us with with West Coast cars don't need to reinforce for rust, because we don't have any.

R.I.P. Rust never sleeps.