Nissan Altima: Rear Subframe Replacement

In this video I bring you along as I swap out the rear sub frame in this 2015 Nissan Altima. It was originally brought in with rotted and snapped rear lower control arms. Due to the overall condition of this vehicle it is a away better (not to mention cheaper) plan to swap out the whole rear sub frame with a southern unit. Bobby's down in Alabama www.bobbysautoparts.com/ got us a really nice sub frame with everything we needed to give this junker a new lease on life.
-Enjoy!
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South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.

[@SouthMainAuto]

As stated in the first video I did contact our local Nissan dealer and they stated to me they *only cover the control arms with the recall* , no rotted anything else, no stuck fasteners, bushings etc. Their estimate with the "free repair" was still more than my total bill. I think the customer made the right choice going with the entire used rear suspension in my opinion. Let me know what you think down below. As always, thanks for watching! -Eric O.

[@KendrasEdge757]

Wow smh not surprising, unfortunately, but it’s great for the customer that he’s close by your shop!! Gettin excellent work, along with all the free sarcasm anyone could ask for, all for cheaper than the dealerships “partial-warranty repair” smh

[@johnpereira822]

Having you do the repair is always the right decision

[@Leon-qc7fe]

You made it a win-win for everyone. That is what happens when you have integrity, professionalism and common sense. You are always on the right side,(everyone wins), of every repair you do.

[@michaelblacktree]

I think you made the right call.

[@PBE86]

The car isn't 15 years old & it has rust as it is 20 yrs old. The owner parked the car near a river? lol

[@greyjay9202]

My only regret about South Main Auto is that I don't live close enough to have Eric do all my car work. Master mechanic and all around nice guy. Mrs. O runs the office, and she is a peach.

[@jonloosli321]

I just spent an hour in Dublin airport waiting for our delayed flight watching Eric wrestling with the subframe - all washed down with my last pint of Irish Guinness!

[@DasArab]

Looks like your customer has got a great deal on that repair between the new shocks and brakes, and great service from Bobbies too.

[@DietBajaBlast]

I'm about 30 minutes from Bobby's, now I feel like taking a little field trip. Greetings from Hoover, AL.

[@markgillespie2165]

I wish car manufacturers would review videos like this to see what really happens to their vehicles to improve their longevity. Eric is still the king for realistic car repair videos. No staging or fake "problems" here folks. :)

[@dlewis9760]

They don't care. They should, but they don't. A simple count of car registrations by make and model and year can show what percentage of anything is still on the road or not.

[@billmudd9915]

They do and they laugh!

[@darbbively3406]

If the manufacturer reviewed this video, I think their takeaway would be to change their subframe mounting from studs to bolts. Think how much sooner this owner would be able to go get another Nissan!

[@michaelblacktree]

The mfgr doesn't really care about longevity, as long as most of them make it past the warranty period. Their main goal is to maximize profit.

[@DaveBigDawg]

They know If they built them to withstand the salt belt, we would never be able to afford them Preventive maintenance will have the vehicle lasting a long time Think fluid film as he has shown in other videos

[@privateer0561]

Who does this kind of work anymore? Who the hell would think of locating an "auto recycler" to source, ship, and then effect a repair that is effective, economical, and timely? Most would just wash their hands or offer the easiest, least effective, and most expensive fix. Once again, Eric O displays his supreme talents as a mechanic/shop owner as well as an amazing resource to the local community (and of course to us, the internet community) An exemplar of the work of great parents and value systems. And talent.

[@1marcelfilms]

oh no have to spend 15 minutes on the computer and order a part....

[@chrishengeveld6117]

Being in NY State, that new rear sub coming from a southern state with no rust. Hell, you gave that vehicle another 5-7 yrs of life before the Main Frame rusts out. Lol. Thanks Eric O. , great Vid! 😎👍

[@richardr2238]

WOW I can"t believe the beautiful condition of that junkyard sub frame , it looks close to new, and also came with the shocks. You should be very proud Eric for doing this affordable, QUALITY replacement for the customer !

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

It all looks like that down here in the south.

[@koloy999]

here on the west coast junkyards and salvage yards are awesome im sure in the south its probably a similar story. lots of crashed or wrecked cars with good no rust parts.

[@OtisFlint]

North vs South. Half of my 2001 Toyota is from southern trucks.

[@robertsmith3774]

Some cars are totaled that have not many miles on it. So that is what you get.

[@Acemobilesuit]

Only in New York

[@shawn7913]

2 major reasons I love your videos. 1. You are really good at diagnostic work, you videos are really educational for fellow mechanics. 2. They make me really appreciate living in the south.

[@JohnDoesGarage]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I don’t miss working on rusty scrap. Most South Carolina cars look brand new underneath and everything comes apart without having to destroy anything.

[@mph5896]

I love the vacation part. Go on vacation and close for a week. More businesses should do that.

[@MichaelBMoore-fu5kc]

I bought a used motor for my 2007 Buick Rainier from Bobby's last year and installed it because of the confidence you helped give me. Ol girl still runs like a champ!

[@davidl2438]

I enjoy your videos. If I lived in New York, I would gladly pay for some type of rustproofing that would seal the undercarriage of the car to help prevent rusting from the salt that is used on the roads in winter. With the high cost of cars, rustproofing is an important priority. One probably needs to have the undercarriage inspected annually and do whatever is necessary to make your car last longer. Thanks for being upfront with your customers and recommend repairs that are trustworthy.

[@waylananders3514]

I love how the salvage part looks like it has less rust on it than some new parts we get

[@clonetrooper576]

The real MVP here was that salvage yard. I am blown away they actually didn't just cut and yank every single thing

[@thecastros9104]

Most shops don't bother with putting all the little brackets that hold hoses and wires. Like always Eric O. pays attention to putting everything back as the OEM installed it. Great job.

[@ouch1011]

No, most mechanics are pretty good, honest and care about their quality of work. People just have one bad experience and then call all mechanics bad.

[@zorrosoxter4703]

And all torqued to factory spec

[@Toto-is8ci]

But only because it is a youtube video. Eric says so himself in several other videos. He often just does a lot of non critical fasteners by feel. He mentioned it in a replacement of a water pump video I just watched, cant remember exactly the title.@@zorrosoxter4703

[@willsrestorations]

You know you're watching a master mechanic when everything looks fairly easy.

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

Don't normally watch hour-long videos, but this one kept me fascinated. R&R's of this size can be frustrating. You handled it with ease.

[@johnglasgow83]

I love the rust pouring out when you use the air hammer. Hence your famous expression. "Welcome to New York BABY!"

[@fredflintstone8048]

Damage by shipping companies is quite common. Especially with heavy items. I keep a lot of old thin plywood and small timber around and when I ship anything heavy I custom build a small box to protect it before putting it in a slightly larger cardboard box. Yes, it's a little more work / time, but the items always show up in as good of condition that I sent them in.

[@forresttaylor2757]

Yeah. That’s a good practice. I got a muffler yesterday that looked like someone had played kickball with it. The wooden box would have definitely protected it.

[@ryanbradley4718]

I know you often wonder why people watch these repairs, I was on the edge of my seat like watching a billion dollar action movie. Awesome work.

[@terencehawkes3933]

That customer is so lucky to have you available to do the work.

[@markwalsh8411]

Like Norm used to say “there’s no more important safety rule than these safety glasses”.

[@frankl.5153]

Gotta say, Eric O..... That customer made out real good on the junk yard replacement. Awesome!

[@middlewert77]

Love that you plugged the salvage yard. Awesome job by you!!!

[@TheGuccibane]

I love Eric's reaction whenever Luna randomly appears during a job lol

[@jcadult101]

The amount of rust just blows my mind. I lived in the midwest through the 70s and cars completely falling apart from rust and to still see it occurring in post 2000 era is just mindboggling. Threats of 117* this weekend are welcome compared with dealing with any of that stuck bolts nonsense.

[@danielklopp7007]

Every time I hear Eric say, "We'll come back and torque those to factory spec" on non-critical items (e.g. @53:24 frame cross members) it makes me smile. Anyone who's been wrenching on cars as long as Eric has a calibrated wrist (i.e. no need for a torque wrench).

[@dannycole9401]

30 years. I torque head gaskets, inner enginge parts, axle nuts, and clutch pressure plates. But that's about it.

[@killerwowmaster]

@@dannycole9401 Wheels?

[@dannycole9401]

@@killerwowmaster aluminum aftermarket

[@danielklopp7007]

@@dannycole9401 I've been wrenching on motorcycles for 52 years. The only bolts/nuts I use a torque wrench for are cylinder head bolts. In 52 years, I've never stripped a thread or had a bolt/nut backout. On the other hand, I've watched "experienced/certified" mechanics torque a bolt to spec, then give it another 1/4 turn "for good measure", only to see them strip the threads (all the while thinking to myself, "you're and idiot").

[@steverandall5814]

Another car saved from the crusher! Your score of that like-new rear sub-frame in AL was like hitting the jack pot in Las Vegas. Kudos to Bobby's Auto Salvage too. It's a pleasure to see there are still some people in the Auto salvage business who are honest and give a damn about what they're doing.

[@tomoakhill8825]

Bobby treated Eric well, and now 50,000 people know of how good Bobby is. Bobby has _earned_ the business this video will generate for him.

[@edcrego8487]

How do I get a hold of t his BOBBY I NEED a lot of parts

[@bryanjacobs5897]

This is giving me flashbacks of when we had to do rear suspension member recalls on previous generation altimas. Man they could be a pain in the ass sometimes

[@enchantgy]

I had noticed before that when you're using the impact on a rusty bolt, you take the socket off after you get the bolt loose, before zipping it out all the way. Initially, I thought you were checking something, but now I realize that you're doing that to release the dirt and rust so the bolt (or nut) doesn't get stuck in your socket! Smart guy!

[@Hey_Its_That_Guy]

You did the owner a solid, Eric. You should sleep well knowing you helped them out. Well done!

[@chiluco2000]

That cascade of fine rust falling down was impressive 😲 21:32

[@iansanderson]

I called a salvage yard in PA once and they answered the phone with “Yeah?” Shining examples of friendly service.

[@mennoregts208]

You did it again, and I love it. You went the extra mile with sourcing good salvage parts and got the customer a sweet deal. I agree with the difference in labour time being slim to nothing when opting for new control arms only. I found it kinda funny you called Bobby's a real mom an pop shop while SMA is in fact among best mom and pop repair shops in the world. Keep up the good wok Mr and Mrs O.

[@joshuamerrill2422]

I’m so grateful to not have to deal with rust here. Watching the rust fall out as you were taking it apart it’s no wonder that it snapped in half like it did. Truly amazing work Mr. O you have incredible patience with rusted out vehicles

[@IBenZik]

As customer states what would say, look at all that flavor under there. I had to laugh, "good enough for the girls we run with". I'm almost 71 and I haven't heard that in 40 years. Well done.

[@lucidbarrier]

Shout out to Bobby's Auto parts for shipping that rear assembly in one piece to Eric O. I called so many places trying to find a parts yard to ship a rear windshield for a 97 Thunderbird. There were no aftermarket windshields available and I was having a hard time finding a used one. My dad finally got lucky and found a glass place locally that went to the salvage yard and cut one out of a vehicle and came out and installed it. Same thing with engines, I went online looking for an engine for my Avalon and ended up buying one locally at a salvage yard who installed it with a new timing kit, belts, valve cover gaskets and new exhaust gaskets and transferred my alternator and starter over. Sometimes you just get lucky and find a good yard. People who answer the phones at shops are jerks too. I called all these places about putting a used engine in my car and they couldn't be bothered with giving me an actual quote.

[@ronaldbrosius7488]

Awsome job, you need to tell the customer about this video. You did more then you really needed with replacing the parking brake cables, backing plates, shocks. Excellent job.

[@stuart1030]

Great, great video. I just love it when you produce sagas like this. Pure gold. The customer was given all the pro's and con's on information regarding the repair. Then after, what must have been careful consideration made exactly the right choice. Good of you Eric to be so considerate as to go the extra mile just for customer satisfaction.

[@JeffWinter1]

Relaxing during vacation is great. It's all the stress before and after that people could do without.

[@AzrockOmegaMan]

I did the front subframe on my Grand Am couple years ago. Changed out the steering rack along with that junk. It has the bolts up through, and not studs. Mine worked out. The threads are beefy enough to put up with some corrosion, I still fluid filmed them after though. Great job Mr. O! Hope your vacay left you well rested.

[@johnpereira822]

Holy smoke over an hour it’s like Christmas in July thanks Mr O

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

Compressor got a real workout on this job.

[@shaneharrison4775]

Job well done Mr O assembly replacement have always been cheaper and less costly.

[@joeydrumstix]

As a person who was born in upstate New York but grew up down south. I can confirm it is very nice working on southern cars 🙂

[@007camera]

People in your neighborhood are Soooo lucky to have you in their community, Eric! You are the best, thanks for sharing! 🌺🌺

[@oldjesus8978]

Nice video ! The clouds of rust flying off that frame were unbelievable !!

[@mattbrown5511]

Go live in a northern state that salts the roads every winter. You'll get used to it, never. I'm from Indiana (now in Mississippi) and do not miss the rust at all.

[@ronwade2206]

Here in Aridzona we would have refused to touch this thing! Your customer is Blessed to have you!

[@price9195]

thank you for these videos; been watching for 6 years. Had 18 inch 1/2 ratchet on my diff plug yesterday and it wouldn't budge then I hit it with the WD it popped right off

[@SouthMainAuto]

😂👍🏼 perfect

[@tammyandgarynewton1999]

So my husband’s a master tech for Nissan and he was watching your video and he does these all the time. He actually just did one on my friends car - he said they are fun 🤩

[@bteamshorts]

I would definitely opt for a Fluid Film job in addition to the new subframe!

[@jaredoaks6317]

Bobby’s is 15 minutes away from me. Good people and very knowledgeable

[@robertcookjr6100]

Great watching a real mechanic

[@z71ne1]

As someone from Arkansas with no rust, I find the rust videos very entertaining

[@skyhawk21]

Wish we had honest shops and mechanics like you, keep up the good work!!!

[@DK-455]

You're incredible how you attack these rot buckets. I couldn't do it. I would respectfully decline to work on these lumps. Too many opportunities for the rust to get the better of me and win. You're a hell of a mechanic !!

[@nickwarner8158]

Where he lives thats all thats out there. Its just par for the course and you get to be surgical with a torch. It makes you money though. I've made thousands just replacing rotten out brake lines alone in WI.

[@DK-455]

I hear you and agree

[@jpack61108]

Love that you took the time to grab the useless plastic. Probably does nothing. But you have it and thats where it goes. Its the little things.

[@home-powersystems7782]

Your skill with all the tools you use is awesome. Some assholes always say they know how to do the stuff you show but we all know thery are full of it. You are one special tech.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

I replaced my rear subframe in my Pontiac G6 about a year ago with one from South Caroline. Was beautiful and no rust, immediately sprayed that baby down with fluid film. The old one had a crack and a shop didn’t want to touch the car until it was fixed. Glad he caught it, wasn’t a huge crack, but everything in the rear looked pretty bad. He was probably hoping he could get a good amount of money out of me. Although I’m not sure since he later found out he wasn’t able to do the work properly since the subframe had been discontinued by GM

[@agostinodibella9939]

I really enjoy these videos more than computer diagnostics. Getting this car a couple more years on the road.

[@thegreatiam316]

Some of the best videos about how actual car repairs go in the real world. Dealers should be taking notes.

[@paulgilliland2992]

You’d be howling if the phone didn’t ring . Best thing ever. Nice job Eric.

[@bigdog4574]

The service you do to the diy community and the general public by making these educational videos are difficult to overstate! Thanks Eric !

[@Railtech_63.]

Doing what it take to do another great repair job, Mr O is what ever customer is searching for in a auto repair shop. South Main Auto puts service into customer service. We all learn so much more then auto repairs! Thank you so much Mr O and Mrs O.

[@frankish5314]

As somebody who does all his own wrenching I am so glad I live in a "No salt" state! Nice job as always Eric. Bobby's sounds like a bunch of stand up guys!

[@LesReeves]

Bobbys reminds me of a now closed wreckers near me they were so good that after a few visits & they got to know you they woild tell you what row the vehicles that you needed parts off give you the old vehicle with all the tools in & you just told them what you got & just pay them.(It shut because he turned 80 & wanted to build some special projects.)

[@allenpamscofield]

Amazed at the amount of rust northern cars suffer. Being in AL, we rarely see that kind of destruction. My 17 yr old vehicle looks nearly new underneath. Great job Eric!

[@99andrianmonk]

Another great job, Eric. Once again proving that your skills are only eclipsed by your professionalism and commitment to your customer. Also, cudos to you for the shout out to Bobby's. Good service and taking care of the customer is a lost art. Sounds like they operate similar to SMA.

[@davidkasperek3907]

It’s a pleasure to watch a talented man work.👍👍👍

[@TheBeer4me]

Coffee and Eric O in the morning doesn’t get any better. Thanks for the great video!

[@MarioCrayola71]

Mr O you are one of THE BEST KZbin MECHANIC on KZbin. I think I could speak for all that are looking for a good mechanic that we all wish there were alot more mechanics like you

[@Joe_HamRadioGuy]

This world needs more mechanics like you, Awesome job 👍👍

[@ysrpilot]

Every one of these videos makes me glad to not be in the rust belt! Great video!

[@scottlee1211]

Man Eric that penetrating fluid in that yellow and blue can is awesome stuff! Best stuff ever!! 😂😂😂😂

[@molokoplus3]

I took the ASE sketchy wood block test 30 years ago. Teaching it now to young sith. I approve. Well done.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Sometimes we're the cause of the safety meeting and sometimes we're the one they call because we do sketchy shit 😏

[@jimburgess9205]

Eric giving WD some love.

[@MajorMokoto]

Wow there were surprisingly few casualties in this. First glance I was like oh this is gonna need a lot of the torch. Nice job.

[@NikMitchell]

lol, I always enjoy Eric trying to do the outro with a previous handful of words he just got through saying. 😆 Cracks me up every time! Great video!

[@leonardormsby6311]

You did the customer a favor with ordering the parts from the south and saved money!

[@breauken910]

I think its really nice that you take the time to go back and torque everything down to factory specs 😂

[@SouthMainAuto]

of course....

[@breauken910]

​@@SouthMainAuto wait.. I'm not 100% sure, so let me ask, do you actually go back and torque everything to factory specs?

[@shawnbelford3433]

Awesome job from the gold standard! Always love the funny banter. Thanks for keeping us informed and entertained at the same time. Say hi to the family!!!

[@thomascarron3983]

Love watching your videos, your humor and knowledge run hand in hand to keeping a full audience. I was a Master heavy duty truck and bus mechanic for 34 years and time in daily to follow your videos. Hello from Muskegon Mi.

[@robiecarmichael9958]

Worked as an insurance adjuster and appraiser for years in the Fayetteville NC area. The guys at this yard Devore Cooke Used Auto Parts Co, where absolutely the best to work with . Helpful knowledgeable and just good guys to deal with. Can’t tell you how many times we would send or receive photos to clarify we were talking about the correct part. Eric as always a great video, but more importantly you came up with the best parts option for the customer.

[@RJon2006]

You don’t make a bad video, Eric. Thanks for all you do! Your customers don’t know how good they have it. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@FliesLikeABrick]

This is a nice repair to get more than a couple more years out of this vehicle -- great solution

[@freetolook3727]

Having dealt with my fair share, youou are 100% right on the money about salvage yards. Good that you found one that actually treats it like a legitimate business. Btw, most of the local area salvage yards that I bought parts from back in the 1970's are now gone for one reason or another. I think most of them couldn't be sold because no one wants them and when the owner died or retired that was it for the business. Back then if you had some land and were lazy, people would give their wrecks to the junk yard and the owners were mostly drunks who made some money off selling parts just to pay bills. Now there's restrictions on junk yards. Also, if you don't treat it like a business, rotating stock and scraping older wrecks for metal, you don't make money.

[@udrtydog1]

"If I can do it, you can do it." NOPE, not me. lolololmfao! Love the vids, thanks for taking us along for the ride! 😎

[@gsudarshan7251]

Considering the recent climate about the cost of buying a new car with the interest rates, it makes sense to resurrect such ventilator cases with the cadavers of crashed cars to extend the longevity. Repairs of these kind are the best examples of reuse and recycle. Good going Dr O.(yes, I'm a subscriber from the days you called yourself Dr O :) )

[@glentrod9642]

This subframe had everything needed and was in great condition. Lucky to get used parts like this. Great job!

[@larrymitchell3502]

Couldn't agree more. Professionalism, attention to detail plus a complete subframe. What's not to like!

[@davidhollfelder9940]

You’re the man .. torching rusty steel sounds like a burger on the grill.

[@springfield4522]

Thanks for commenting about installing springs afterwards. I was wondering the same thing. Gee a 'not dumb' question from me.. This is a great 'customer save'.

[@mojunk19]

Your customer is a very lucky guy to have a shop that has their interests at heart. Wish more shops were like yours.

[@GregTrickey]

I know I've talked about it before, but I can't believe how much it costs in the "PRNY" to own a vehicle. I'm in Texas. For instance, I personally (thanks to KZbin) replaced the timing chains in my 2010 Traverse, in 2018, for about $2000 in parts and special tools. I think the dealer was asking $3600. I decided to trade it in at that point. They gave me a very acceptable trade-in value for my Traverse to buy the 2019 Colorado. The Traverse had 120k miles, and was deemed a pretty good value. There are plenty of challenges in doing that particular repair, but rust isn't one of them. I'm pretty sure a 2010 Traverse in 2018 would be worth zero dollars outside of the south. Maybe some scrap value? In any case, I can't imagine dealing with the rust. I'd give up. I have a video on my channel about the tools I used. I'm not monetized or anything, just FYI.

[@wjhjr1415]

Great video! Some channels I won't watch a video that long but I welcome it from you.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@michaelstoliker971]

Great job and kudos for giving your review on the salvage yard. I've met a lot of junkyard dogs that were nicer than the counter guys. When you find a good one, give them props!

[@buckeyejim2989]

🗿👍 Yep

[@markcollins457]

My ultimate goal in life is to remove bolts from suspension components without snapping bolts, that alone is reason we rely on shops like yours. Great results for a rust bucket job!

[@titaniumman_22]

The wife looked over at me when she heard your cat voice…laughed and said you guys all sound the same when you talk to your cats! 😂

[@2aEdu]

When you said: It's all about the trigger control....It reminded me of what I do LOL 👍