How To Repair Structural Rust Damage

[@Romif_SK]

I started watching your videos when I was 17 years old. I learned a lot from yours videos. Now almost 10 years later I work as technician and honestly I don't know if I would be where I am without your content. So thank you Eric.

[@Shesveryshy]

I’m 17 too & I just started watching yesterday lol, hope to become a technician too

[@panzerveps]

I also found Eric about 10 years ago, while working as an apprentice. He's one of the reasons I passed my final exam.

[@ericthecarguy]

I'm truly honored by your comment. When I started ETCG I had hoped my videos would help people. I never expected them to inspire others like you. Thank you very much for that comment and good luck with your career.

[@theroyalcrownedtiger2946]

Hello Eric, I started to watch your videos in either 2010 or 2011, it's now 2022, and your videos have been extremely helpful. I worked in auto service garages before, and currently I work on my own cars, as well as for family and friends. With Much Thanks to you and your videos.

[@corydriver7634]

@@theroyalcrownedtiger2946 you’ve traveled ahead in time, how are things in 2022? Did we concur COVID?

[@toddcott9510]

This is the sort of rust damage that puts the car in a scrap yard. A first class job, sir.

[@roddydykes7053]

If anyone wonders why rust repairs are expensive, this is a good video to show Inspiring work as always

[@fflynnful]

Bondo and pop rivet rust repairs are less expensive. This video shows how it is done properly resulting in a safe vehicle.

[@BlazingLightSword]

He did that repair in 25 minutes though, that shouldn’t cost $3k+! /s

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

@@BlazingLightSword the repair was condensed to a 20 minute video. I'm sure he has more time in it than that! As he stated, he's not a welder or fabricator. Plus he took the time to video it. Setting up for video takes time. For a beginner, like me, he did an excellent job!

[@1nvisible1]

*A cast sleeve in a welded mount under a stamped raised ROUND footing. I don't know a lot of guys that would've fabbed that from scratch, especially with only three tools. Good stuff.*

[@TaintedMojo]

@@BlazingLightSword you actually thought that took 25 minutes? SERIOUSLY?

[@laszlototh5956]

It is amazing how Eric's fabrication skills developed during the years. This was a pleasure to watch!

[@martij30]

Hey Eric I just want to take a moment to thank you. I've been watching you for a couple of years now and I have learned so much. I'm a university student and I work on cars (both my own and those from family members/friends) as a hobby in my spare time. However when I visited a highly praised shop in my area to get some springs compressed (as I don't have the tools for that) they were so impressed by my work on cars that they offered me a part-time job as a mechanic! This was such a compliment for a hobbyist like me and I owe you a big "thank you" for learning me so much throughout the years. Keep on wrenching and I'll keep watching!

[@ericthecarguy]

I never get tired of hearing how my work helps people. Thank you for taking the time to share that with me. It's totally awesome that you got that job offer. Well done! Thanks again and have a great weekend.

[@martij30]

@@ericthecarguy Thanks a lot for your reply, have a good weekend as well!

[@panzerveps]

You might not be a fabricator, but that's a job well done. A job like that requires the ability to plan ahead and visualize the next couple of steps.

[@Oblithian]

I am not entirely sure why he put the flat disk on when he did and not last.

[@panzerveps]

@@Oblithian probably to make sure the rear subframe was positioned correctly when checking the fitment.

[@ThePeterProtoss]

Sucks I can't visualize

[@MrAceyJay]

"Grinder and paint makes me the welder I ain't" Nice job. Sure there were other ways it could have been done but nothing wrong with the way you did it.

[@Gmacc187]

Hey Eric I bought a Chevy Malibu from my brothers mechanic "friend". A few years ago I would've been screwed. Now if days I see it as more of a challenge now. Your videos have been crucial for me taking my vehicle maintenance into my own hands. This year I'm going to a trade school to be an automotive technician. You'll never understand the positive impact you've had on my life. And without a doubt I wish to pay that positivity forward by being honest and thorough like you are. Thanks for all you do Eric.

[@codybechardwatson5619]

I just did a 97 CRV, where the trail arm bushings mount up. It was my first go at fixing structural rot, and I'm very happy with the results. I ended going with what your original plan was, welding a nut behind the first layer. I did not consider it needing movement, however after watching this I am still pleased to know someone with much more experience then I had a similar idea. Very confidence inspiring. Thank you!

[@MikeFord1]

Hi Eric, weld through primer is a great product to help reduce corrosion on the surfaces you cant get to after welding.

[@mondecruel1866]

i wonder how do they do on assembly line, the metal panels are raw they weld them and then paint it ?

[@digitalrailroader]

@@mondecruel1866 at the factory, the body in white is fully submerged in a vat of primer that gets into every single seam and blind cavity (if you have ever looked inside a trunk without the trim and wondered why are there so many stamped holes that needed to be plugged up, it’s because those were drain holes to let the excess primer drain out of the body as it was removed from the vat)

[@rotor13]

@@mondecruel1866 They dip them in an acid bath after. Then they take other baths in sealer/primer.

[@rotor13]

@evolence detroit Look at any video that covers a modern assembly line. Ecoat is only done on replacement body panels so that they don’t corrode while sitting in inventory. All new cars during production do not get an electrolytic coating because it creates unnecessary prep-work steps through the production line. The chassis and body panels are finished raw. On a full production line, the chassis are dipped in an acid bath to etch the entire chassis, rinsed, then dipped in sealer/primer bath. Then it gets its finish coat from robots.

[@bhaebe6671]

@evolence detroit No matter how it's done, NOT even attempting to paint or rust coat bare metal is wrong. midwest to east coast, rust through in 5 years on this very decent repair. What a shame.

[@tiberiusclaudiusnerogermanicis]

The cutting around the aerosol with a plasma cutter fail wad hilarious. Please include outtakes in all videos. Their hilarious. Nice repair as always eric

[@ericthecarguy]

I do post out takes when I have them. I normally put them at the end like I did with that one. Thanks for the comment.

[@tiberiusclaudiusnerogermanicis]

@@ericthecarguy ah I don't always see the very end then. I will have to make sure I do that. I've been watching your videos almost weekly since your old garage. You taught me how to do an oil change. Must've been near 10 years ago now.. anyways still enjoying the content.

[@SalandFindles]

They're** hilarious, you're right.

[@tiberiusclaudiusnerogermanicis]

@@SalandFindles you must be fun at parties 🥳🎉

[@jusrobington]

Not one of Eric's smartest moments. Still glad you included it in the outtakes. 👍🏾 Good job man.

[@iblistarhun]

This was very impressive, Eric. Well done. I'm a layperson (my work is in IT infrastructure so my tools are all virtual and not physical) and I enjoy watching your obvious skill and experience in a domain so clearly different from my own. Very cool.

[@cityside75]

Your comments about the worthiness of this repair on an old vehicle is exactly the calculation I did before I started doing some body and frame restoration on my Subaru. While I agree with your overall assessment and this kind of work makes a lot more sense when you can do it yourself, you took non-road worthy car that wasn't worth much more than its scrap value and turned it back into a vehicle that can be operated safely and sold with a clean conscience. So you have added thousands back to the value of the car. This was my way of justifying the amount of time and money I've invested learning these skills.

[@ericthecarguy]

No I haven't. This Pilot is worth $4000 on its best day. It's not it's best day. This repair would have cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $3500 if you took it to a shop. I still need to replace the transmission which is another $3000 in parts alone. Not to mention the front suspension repair, the interior, and the engine service. In all, I'll probably have at least $9000 into this $4000 POS. I don't think that's good money spent at all, but it makes great content, and I'm happy with that. Thanks for the comment.

[@coolcat312]

I just discovered a very similar situation on my 2004 Element. I immediately remembered this video and came to rewatch it. Replacing the vehicle isn’t an option right now and we love this Element so I want to fix it. Thank you Eric!

[@TheDivergentDrummer]

I just found it on my 08 Honda Pilot. FFs! No wonder she drives all friggin squirely. Mine is worse then this one with the mount point having completely pulled through. That said, I do have a cheap TIG / stick/ Plasma cutter, a grinder and paint lol. I've gotta pull it apart back there anyway to do some service on the rear end and figure out my VSA issue. This is our Daily, so something tells me i'll be doing this sooner rather then later.

[@WayneWerner]

"that's so cool, I built that" - that's exactly what I love about fabricating and fixing stuff like this

[@chrisnorton2837]

Great repair Eric! I was thinking you might need a thicker plate around the bolt, but you boxed it in nicely. As an amateur fabricator myself, it looks good enough to me. I was especially impressed with your trick of bolting everything together to get a proper fitment. That was smart thinking. Some tips I learned from Mustie1's videos, is to now spray oil up into the newly fabbed piece, now that it's done. This helps prevent future rust. He uses bar and chain oil. I have used fluidfilm for this myself, inside doors I fixed. I use pop and beer boxes for making my templates. They're always around and they come in different thicknesses. 👍

[@Boilaroomnick]

I just bought an 07 Sierra that I have to repair one of the crossmembers and a small part of the frame on. These videos give inspiration and confidence to tackle something most people would shy away from, so thanks!

[@stuckinmygarage6220]

I just watch Eric because he just connects so well. His attitude seems genuine. Simple truth.

[@joemascioni3101]

I use cereal boxes for making my templates in metal fabrication. stiff enough to hold it's shape, but can still be cut with scissors. Besides, everyone has cereal boxes, and you don't need to go to Staples for manilla folders!...lol. Great video Eric!

[@ryenaslakson5701]

Old oil and air filter boxes work good too

[@leemer1]

CAD. Cardboard Aided Design.

[@throttlebottle5906]

milk cartons, for those that get it in cartons anyway. lol

[@dazednconfused31337]

I use a cereal box when spraying my motorbike chain. Cut a side off so you get an L shape at the fold, then protect the tyre with it.

[@mikeseymore2548]

I don't subscribe to many KZbinrs. But it's people like you that makes knowledge power

[@sirnik84]

I just got done replacing bushings in my rear sub-frame. Oh, man, every time I watch one of your videos where your under a car I count myself lucky to be a California kid who doesn't have that level of rust to deal with :) But I really enjoy seeing you defeat that rust!!! WAY TO GO!

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

Yes, our vehicles rust out before they're worn out in the rust belt!

[@pliedtka]

I couldn't believe some of the cars in California - 30yrs+ old car and no spot of rust. I envy my sis.

[@tiko4621]

@@pliedtka I work as a lube tech for a local place here in the Bay Area, 30+ year old cars VERY RARELY have rust on them here.

[@robertferretti7990]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, you are a valuable asset to the honda community! Thank you, stay dirty buddy!

[@somewhatofaprofessional7940]

You've done a better job than every body shop "tech" I've ever seen. Awesome video!

[@mark98070]

Great repair, I can see how the labor time can far exceed the value of the vehicle. considering that there is probably other rotted areas to address also.

[@ericthecarguy]

There was also a hole in the body but that was much easier to repair. Otherwise it's pretty solid. But you're right, a vehicle like this is rarely worth investing into.

[@hithere7382]

@@ericthecarguy Unless you like to campaign things to 1,000,000 miles though I do admit down here in the South (GO HOGS WOOOO PIIIIIG SOOOIEEE) it's easier. It takes 30+ years for that kind of damage to happen to Hondas down here, much longer if they're regularly cleaned and garaged when not driven.

[@pliedtka]

These have very good engines and are very reliable cars if well maintained. My friends wife put 300k miles (second tranny), before they sold it to some home improvement guy who killed it within more than a year (no names calling here).

[@tiko4621]

@@hithere7382 California cars live forever

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

This reminds me of exactly what I had to do to my '89 Buick, when I replaced the transmission. One jerk in the Club I belonged to at the time- remarked it would be labeled scrap where he came from, and he was very nasty and rude, something about "polishing a _ _ _ _". He's a big deal Moderator now, 10 years later- go figure? Eric, you did a wonderful job here. Always remember- because the temper is changed, a weld is always the first to rust. Keep welds to a minimum, and treat them accordingly. You could've made a "box" and made folds on a pattern, 2 welds. Easier with a bender. The threads are deep, so the shank goes up into the mount, more integrity, less wiggle as possible. That's what the busing is for, giving movement. A wiggling bolt would snap. The 4 bolts I had to buy were $30 each. Bushings were $50 each, got all 4 for rear of front cradle.

[@rotor13]

I mean it’s an 89 Buick. He’s not wrong lol

[@trevkeay5555]

Thanks Eric, like a load of guys here, been watching for years & your videos have inspired confidence in me!...Plumber by trade, taught myself to weld few years ago. Now welding my 20 year old ford escort 1.8 diesel van regularly to keep it on the road & earning me money. The way they were built (well actually chucked together) & not rust treated, they were like consumables!! But thanks again for ALL your excellent videos..learnt so much over the years, (Bridgwater, Somerset, ENGLAND)

[@davidstewart3868]

Well done Eric. Scott at Cold War Motors saves old rusty classic cars like this all the time. Your repair is probably stronger then when the Honda was new.

[@DarkkLestat]

I'm glad you shared this before I scrapped my Jeep, might be able to squeeze another year out of it now.

[@waynegoebel395]

I've mention this guy's KZbin channel to others who are doing body repair. Fitzee's Fabrications has outstanding instructional videos when it comes to body and frame rebuilds. Cheers!

[@pthomas36]

I'm watching a lot of these videos right now because I'm working on the frame of my old 05 4Runner. Thanks for the inspiration and insight into the work I have ahead of me. Time to go turn on the gas for my welder...

[@ianrichardson9200]

Eric the car guy and Eric O.....two of the best mechanics!

[@jacoblloyd2573]

What an advanced understanding of metal and of the complex machines that cars are

[@austin7082]

Watching your videos all these years have slowly made me distrust technicians, seeing you go way out of your way to fix the super small details that would turn into big problems down the road. There’s no way for me to make sure my mechanic is catching those type of things for me while he’s working. I highly admire your work ethic and I wish there were more like you.

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you. I actually made a video on that topic last week. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIPQm3ymq6iarc0

[@davidg5704]

Cavity wax in the end to fill those gaps. Awesome job. I need to break out my new welder and do some repairs. Thanks for the video.

[@JrSpitty]

I got into the automotive field because of videos like this! Just started a job working for a RAM dealer. Can't say if it wasn't for an instructor and watching videos like this I would have chosen this path. The creativity and passion to perform jobs that you wouldn't normally consider yourself good at shows you are willing to learn anything and everything like a true professional, that is the same mentality that has inspired me! Thanks a lot for this video, it is well outside of your normal stuff and very inspiring! :)

[@damienogorman9110]

"Oooops!! ....sssssshhh... Well, I don't recommend that!" 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Brilliant content Eric, regards from Galway, Ireland 😉👍💚

[@craigdreisbach5956]

OMG. I'm a little ashamed that I haven't watched your videos in 2-3 years (other than your video about being kicked out of your present shop moving to a new shop) What a great masterclass in fabrication. Thank you. Kind Regards, Craig

[@abea4696]

Your videos have been my favorite for over 10 years

[@jw11432]

Few things are as satisfying as doing your fabrication-type repairs. Being relatively new to welding myself, I've done some of this and boy does it feel good to look at what you've done and know that it's a good repair.

[@bushratbeachbum]

Love your work mate. Nice one. You're encouraging people to do things themselves, in a world where they either can't be arsed, or are too scared to break the norm of paying money to fix a problem. We need more people like yourself. Cheers!!

[@ronwatson4902]

That's an impressive job of fabricating Eric. Thanks you for letting us watch.

[@pauliek5179]

Glad to see that you're still doing videos Eric! Used to watch your stuff when I was a younger man, you're the reason I got into working on cars, absolutely an inspiration keep it up!

[@michaelnotigan7796]

That is a nice, well thought out and implemented solution to a very cancerous bit of structural frame rot. Well done!

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you!

[@jameshedrick6839]

I've done repairs like that before. I had to do that same repair on my truck till i could find another one and the repair is still solid

[@AintScaredGarage]

Its always satisfying when you make something like that, I love fixing rust

[@coleregan7115]

There is a page on Facebook for Honda Pilot owners. A guy on there has made a kit, of sorts, to address this very issue. However, I really enjoyed watching your detailed fabrication repair. I think it'll last a long time for you. And by the way, I am jealous of your plasma cutter.

[@joshkjohnson]

Looks like a solid repair. I liked your approach to fixing (I'm not a welder).

[@vdog4799]

I hear that. Me neither. I bought a HF welder and have beenmplaying with it. Its pretty cool

[@SimpleLife1971]

I think you did a superb job Eric and having a two post lift certainly doesn't hurt! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ASEWorldClassTech]

Every mechanic has his choices. For the inside of the frame I'd use Epoxy Primer. Good Job Eric...

[@berniefranks4876]

Great work. I just started restoring the frame of a rusted 1950 plymouth and having never welded or fabricated before I find that my solutions are improving all the time. Yours looked great! Thanks for the vid.

[@vladkalina69]

The thought a nd thinking and doing process in making the rusted out replacement part was like open heart surgery for body work. Very well done. Great problem solving skill!

[@prkacro]

man, how much patience you have.. kudos.. my chrysler town and country is 1997 greetings from Croatia !!

[@jacobaguilar6756]

You've actually helped me out of bad funk ive been in showing it's okay to make mistakes and that it's all fun and learning thankyou tons!!!!!

[@LESANN996]

I like how more lively you sound in your newer videos vs your old ones. Just came here after watching your civic engine swap series.

[@digitalrailroader]

5:54 the guys at Bad Obsession Motorsport call this method CAD (Cardboard Aided Design)

[@handlebullshit]

Everyone does.

[@Oblithian]

@@handlebullshit Yeah, I was going to say, I heard this before KZbin was even a thing.

[@witchcraftauto]

Man, you use that plasma cutter like a surgeons knife! This is super useful for when I start doing the rust repairs on my car!

[@caseys_cozy_garage]

This video was really calming and fastening and educational I like the idea of fixing these useful yet disposable unibody cars

[@isaaccavazos7311]

Damn Erik. Honestly props man. It takes balls to start cutting out pieces of the frame (sub frame).

[@spignetti]

I taught myself on a Lincoln Welder and over the years, Im betting it's saved me thousands on repairs..KNowing small repairs and big ones...well, you get it...

[@spignetti]

btw...my father would say..."That's not real welding...."....lol....RIP pops...

[@SvetGolovkin1462]

Thank God we have Ericthecarguy bc I'm exactly what I'm fixing on my ek hatch atm. Again, thank you Eric!

[@ericthecarguy]

Good luck!

[@uiucbsme8757]

Thanks for making and posting your repair.. I hope other rust belt Pilot, MDX and Ridgeline owners will inspect theirs. Keeping the long threaded boss and joint design close to original is also wise. Better bolt stretch and load paths into the cross member, as you said. You make it look easy! The Honda body repair manual says to replace the whole crossmember, .. If Honda would sell the crossmember at a reasonable price, more people would follow their recommendation. I believe it's over $600 just for the part. I would recommend poking the passenger side rear mount area too, as they seem to rust from the inside out (maybe you already did it) .. Thanks again Eric . it's fun to watch you work, and learn from your experience.

[@ortencrystem229]

Eric, I honestly believe that you are the Bob Ross of the automotive world.

[@ericthecarguy]

With my happy happy rust. 😉

[@tonynightingale3868]

Excellent craftsmanship ,a lot of thought ,executed in a professional way ...😀😀😀.

[@seriousstuff8887]

i just finished watching rust bros on netflix ... great show. nice job on the repair !

[@Bot.number.69420]

Also elements rust from lower rear trailing arm front mount I heard. So glad I keep mine treated with rust prevention. That kind of repair is borderline illegal here in Finland and they get angry at yearly inspections. :/

[@evilstan60]

No states truly do a safety inspection here. It's basically checking if tires and brakes are good. No body shop would do this repair here though. That frame rail is high strength steel. Welding in mild sheet steel changed the crash characteristics of that frame rail. Granted, it's far from crumple zones and would likely not be an issue, but still not something a body shop would touch with a 10 foot pole.

[@rolfbjorn9937]

@@evilstan60 Fairly sure that old and degraded High Strength Steel, due to heavy corrosion, metal fatigue, probably micro fractures all over the place, or even prior repairs where someone used a torch to loosen fasteners...no longer qualifies as HSS and that brand new thicker guage low-medium carbon steel has better properties.

[@e.e9331]

cars turning into rusty piece of shit in less than 8 years is a normal thing in Canada especially in Quebec so body jobs are a common occurence here, most shops wouldnt do repairs like this but this is 100x prefered over its previous condition in which probably millions of canadians drive around in. waht do you do with a car in finland thats around 10 years old and has market value of around 20-25k$?

[@Bot.number.69420]

@@e.e9331 some cars get anticorrosion treated here regularly or expensive ones at import to give more life. Most cars have little to no value at 10 years and get scrapped after rusting too much. Cars lose value really fast here. I just scrapped 2005 Hyundai because not paying 3k€ for new subframes and they can't be welded. We had demolition campaing (for new ebike, car or train tickets etc) and cat prices are high, cheap cars have gotten crushed away. I got 1000€ from crushing that hyundai towards my new ebike. I did find well treated 2005 diesel crv with abs problems for 2000€ couple years ago so driving that, after swapping usa/germany spec abs sensors, cause it's 200-400€ cheaper per month to drive than element.

[@MM_in_Havasu]

It must really suck to live back east in the "rust" belt as far as vehicle maintenance and longevity are concerned. Use of road salt in winter should be outlawed. Excellent fabrication repairing that chassis mount!

[@matthewnobles7533]

Nice work Eric! Back when I had my automotive shops this is what I would specialize in in upstate New York. Frame repair body mounts even control arm brackets built in the subframe that were rotted. where a lot of other shops would not even touch it or even think about saving a good vehicle. Sometimes it is a lot of work. It's mostly pickup trucks but a lot of cars also. It's got to be my favorite video I seen from so far because this is what I used to specialize in. And I still do it on the side. And then there's always that argument whoever is inspecting the car especially dealerships oh that's been repaired we can't pass that b*******! That welded in bushing your repairing it's going to be stronger than the whole support.

[@mochamartian3189]

Do you recommend anybody in Upstate NY nowadays? I’ve got a 03 TJ that I want to save… what the last owner did will shock you.

[@Лестовы]

wow! I have been looking for a channel for so long where a plasma cutter is used for car repairs! thank you

[@mdrew44628]

If you sell this vehicle at some point, the buyer will never fully appreciate the work you put in to restoring the vehicle.

[@UzumakiGarage]

Thanks Eric. You've given me some more confidence for my next rust removal job I'm starting in the next few days. Instead of paint inside your repair I think the Lanolin rust preventative coatings that I saw explained on the "Repair Geek" YT channel would be even better as they can be "topped up" over time unlike paint which may not have bonded perfectly to the inner welded surfaces. I'd appreciate your comments on this. cheers Andy

[@fila1445]

For the inside you can coat peaces with body leading paste. As you weld it will melt and bond to bare metal and leave it with thin layer of lead which works beautifully as rust prohibitor

[@GleepGlop2]

I'd be very interested to see you do a repair like this on an Element since you do a lot of Element stuff, and there is a recall in Canada for this kind of issue on Elements, but not in the US, even though presumably US Elements are susceptible to the same issue. If Canadian Elements don't pass the inspection they take them off the road...

[@aserta]

Step 1, would be to make a weep hole in any low hanging point in the frame. That should give you time to figure things out.

[@allentoyokawa9068]

probable because your was made in Canada, thus of lower quality

[@my1after909]

I'm impressed, beyond words! Thanks for this astonishing post, I'll be watching more!!!

[@dillwizard7516]

Very helpful. I have a 94 GMC K1500 and it has two "you should really look for a new vehicle" spots. They are however repairable. Thank you for the insight.

[@jeremyagost]

Great job Eric. It was insightful to watch your process after I myself recently refurbished holes in the frame of my 1988 Subaru Leone. Probably fewer of them still on the road than Honda Pilots and the rest of this vehicle is virtually immaculate so I was motivated to repair this class is rather than junk it.

[@mechantics]

That's exactly why this is such a valuable crash course tutorial: the econocars of my youth are now quite rarely found as most of them were driven to "the farm"; healthy powertrains carrying rusted out shells

[@ericfussner5231]

I've repaired a total of 3 Honda pilots so far. Two of them were in the past week and a half. I drove two hours to fix one with both mounts in the rear bad. Took the money and bought a 2005 pilot the next day that had 3 bad mounts but it was in overall better condition so I've got a nice 600 dollar vehicle. Thinking about buying as many as I can handle just to repair and resell. After the repair it seems like it may be a little bit better than what Honda had done in the first place. Coincidentally enough, my repair strongly resembles the one you made

[@jyudat4433]

your videos are like my fix because i can't do as much car stuff as i'd like to, having moved away from my parents' who have a driveway, and being a programmer, so i'm in front of a computer all day

[@johndimech8945]

An absolute work of art. Soooo satisfying to figure out and carry out your own solution. Job well done.

[@agostinodibella9939]

I really like that repair Eric! Also that inside the frame coating will make it last. It should be even stronger than when new! Great job 👏

[@aserta]

1:45, gee, a low spot in a hollow rail, who'da thunk that it would rot out. Obviously not the engineers who didn't put a weep hole or boxed it in differently. This isn't even a road salt issue, this is a design problem.

[@ericthecarguy]

I almost made an ETCG1 about that very topic.

[@throttlebottle5906]

.oO( planned obsolescence )

[@danz1910]

man great job with that repair. I did learn by it even though I did a shit load of welding/repairing. I like videos of things I can also do myself, not some expert that has done this 40 hours a week for the last 30 years with some diamond-level looking repair thank you.

[@hootinouts]

Excellent presentation Eric. Also, your strategy as to how you approached this difficult repair is right on par with a similar repair I am presently working on. In my case, the unibody rusted out at the two front points where the undercarriage bolts into it. I did practically the same as you did with cutting out the damage, making a template, fabricating new pieces, using the undercarriage as a jig. My two fabricated parts are ready to be welded into the body. Since I never welded on a car body before, I am a bit anxious and and practicing with 16 gauge mild steel scrap first so I don't end up blowing holes through the body. I think I am ready to go at it now so hopefully, I can get my 2006 Saturn Vue back on the road.

[@robostyle9773]

I would have done this a little differently, but you did a great job regardless. Nice work!

[@YT-User1013]

Yep, I thought the same thing.

[@anthonysinclair5721]

I must say I enjoyed that , and all from the comfort of my couch! 👍😎

[@Tjousk]

I have recently complained on another video about the way they display ads. Keep being you. I've not yet seen one in this video, but from past experience you make it clear when something is an ad, or sponsored, or something similar. I know this doesn't fit in your comments, because you're not annoying in this way, but I just felt the need to say thank you. You are on of very few left that still make me want to stay on this platform.

[@ericthecarguy]

FYI I normally post sponsored content on Wednesdays, regular repair videos on Fridays, and ETCG1 videos on Mondays. Also as you stated, I clearly mark all sponsored content to avoid confusion. If you don't see **Sponsored Video with great information** above the fold in the description, it's not sponsored content. Thanks for the comment.

[@Tjousk]

@@ericthecarguy Indeed, to be clear, you make such things clear... I want to thank you for doing so. Keep up the good work.

[@johngoepel5263]

Super informative, thanks! Also way to almost get Jay Leno'd with that plasma cutter lol. Don't plasma cut against an aerosol can kids!

[@ttibbles]

This video inspires and motivates me to spray more AD3000 rust proofer on my '05 Pilot

[@bjr2379]

Great job Eric! My vehicles are very dirty underneath because of all the used motor oil and fluid film I spray under them, but boy it sure keeps the rust at bay.

[@vijayantgovender2045]

Thank you Eric I love watching your wonderful videos great job I am from South Africa

[@joubess]

Eric, that is quite the welding art work! There is no way to buy those parts, so you make them! It's a lesson in wanting to make something and then making it happen by fabricating it yourself. ChrisFix did a similar repair on the floor of one of his cars. It's not so hard, but it takes time, patience, detail work, and the right tools along with welding skills. By doing it yourself, you can do things you can't really pay to have done. It's art! It's also why so many of us go to the trouble to learn these skills even if we never use them to make a living. I love this video! It was a pleasure to watch!

[@barney2633]

To see proper welding look at icweld channel. He is a master.

[@gregv7193]

Also your welding skills have really become impressive

[@chrisharris3371]

I love the video and the how to nature of the repair process. I am repairing my truck but this process will work for me. Thanks!

[@johngoudie6676]

Great job Eric! I have to do this on my 06 Sienna, so the timing was perfect!👍

[@canuckfixit7722]

23:48 That's the third time you have mentioned the economics of this (once in another video prior). I honestly don't think that any shop that would agree to do this would execute it in such a fulsome manner. It would be costly and possibly a "bodge job". This was excellent IMHO. Eric, you are a perfectionist!

[@ericthecarguy]

I agree, in fact, I made a video about it last week. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIPQm3ymq6iarc0 Thank you for your comment!

[@canuckfixit7722]

@@ericthecarguy Yes, that is what I meant by the "video prior" comment. That was a good philosophical video. Sometimes a repair has to be done by you or the vehicle becomes scrap.

[@nicmo6913]

Thanks Eric I found out that mine has the same issue yesterday and come search for your video.

[@ScannerDanner]

17:00 "that's so cool, I built that" freaking awesome Eric This was fun to watch, your camera work and editing is on point as usual. Hope all is well my old friend.

[@danieldejarnette1319]

Man oh man I'm very impressed with your work fab skills quality impressive that's not something people can do and you make it look easy

[@psteele9000]

Really cool video. I’m working on a 2007 WRX to repair with my 14yo son. Learning to weld, what materials, techniques. Super appreciative, great job!

[@jonhagan7378]

The first time I did a repair like this I was so stoked. Felt great to give it many more years rather than condemn it to the scrap yard. Also, you almost hurt your important bits there at the end. We love your vids so stay safe man!

[@ericthecarguy]

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.....

[@jusrobington]

Did some simple body work to my 06 E350. Those vans are known to rot out on the driver and passenger foot well as well as the rear wheel Wells. Took a week end and got it taken care of. Even put a layer of fiberglass and epoxy in the floor or the passenger compartment cause I have the material. You can find real value if you can do work for yourself.