94 Altima - Beam Rust

[Nissan4Life]

My 1994 Altima spent 8-9 years in Tampa, FL before braving a winter in the Northeast. After six months (including one winter) in New England, I brought it to a mechanic to get a new battery and ask about a "clatter" under the car.

His response: "The car starts fine now, but don't drive another mile."

There is a "Suspension Support Beam" just rear of the front wheels that has 3/4 disintegrated from rust (seemingly unrelated to the sound). My independent mechanic and two Nissan mechanics indicated that they had never seen anything like it! They generally thought it would cost more to fix than the car is worth. They indicated that if it fails while driving the wheel will fall into the car and the engine will fall half out of the car. It wouldn't be pretty.

But, the car is in sweet shape otherwise. 57K. After-market radio/speakers. Not a dent on it. And, the only rust is where it makes the car structurally unsound.

My family has owned a dozen Datsun/Nissan cars and never had anything this "fatal" happen. Any thoughts on:1) Why this happened? I didn't see any recalls on the part, but it's strange that it is so isolated.2) Is it worth fixing? If so, any suggestions on a who might be up to the job in Western Massachusetts/Connecticut? If not, any suggestions on who would want the parts from a top-notch 57K 1994 Altima?

Not to worry...if my Altima goes to the grave, my next car will be a Nissan.

[NISTECH]

I am trying to picture where they are refferring to but cant at the moment. is there anyway you can snap some shots of it and post them on here? [link to upload photos is above the ad in my sig] I am very curious to see where one winter has rusted your car out. Even back there I dont see how thats possible to happen over one season. If it is the floor pan they are reffering to they are right it would cost substantially more then the car is worth to fix it. If you have full coverage insurance you could claim it and they would total it. Other wise if it is just the contol arm or the subframe they can be easily replaced in your drive way the main subframe is held to the car by 4 to 6 bolts then the other components attached to the sub frame can be disconnected and left hanging to be reattached to the new subframe. get some pics up and I could give you more info on it.

[Nissan4Life]

I won't be able to get a picture of the piece up due to not having a lift and not being near the car for another week. But, I was under it with the mechanics.

I think it may be a cross-member. But, to describe the piece, I'd say it was a bar (meant be be concave - shaped like an upside down U). It was running from a point just rear of the front-right wheel towards the center of the car.

The rust disintegrated the vertical parts of the U, therefore only a small horizontal piece remained.

I searched online to try to find a diagram/picture of the underside of an Altima, but was unsuccessful. I wanted to find the exact name. Any sites to search would be helpful.

Thanks!

[NISTECH]

I will take a look on monday at one and try to determine what it is. but i suspect it is the large black sub frame that the p\s rack mounts to and that part is replaceable.

[Nissan4Life]

Any luck determining the piece from my description? Or, sites I can visit to find a diagram?

Tx.

[KFL]

Hmm does sound like a crossmember not sure though, but if thats the case it can be replaced and welded I believe.Rough estimate of that would be 600.

My guess it was a flood victim since it was in FL. A few cars get hit with that a lot during the tropical storms down there.It probably sat somewhere for a few years thus surface rust built up and spread, that would account for the very low mileage.Or someone just didnt drive it at all and rust built up underneath 6k a year hard to believe. The title would carry a salvage record unless the damage wasn't reported to insurance co. thus be a clean title on paper. Always becareful buying used cars..I just picked up a car recently my arse was under the car checking for rust on the frame. Hopefully its not that bad but I would pull up the carpet a little if possible and look for any signs of rust running acorss the floor boards.

[Nissan4Life]

So, I'm literally "Driving Mom's Car." She bought it off of the lot as a ~6 month old demo. The reason for the low mileage is that she lives so close to work and they took dad's car for weekend trips, etc.

I think it's highly unlikely that it was involved in flooding, but always a slight possibility with the "lightly used" purchase.

Thanks for the input & estimate. Should I just find a reputable body shop to take a look?

ps. I'm sure Mom/Dad wouldn't knowingly sell me a lemon.

[powerband]

I acquired a solid vintage auto that had the battery freeze, break or get hit by fan or something long before I found it. As a result the suspension member beneath it dissolved just like the floor/ceiling in ALIEN from the acid. Perhaps something similar happened to this vehicle if no other rust areas are evident

PB

[Nissan4Life]

Wow. Not so outlandish given that I had battery trouble which inspired bringing the car to the mechanic. But, the battery is several feet away from the rusty spot.

Cheers.