Q: Rusted subframe and rack & pinion, leaking struts - worth fixing?
I just found out today my 2009 Jeep Patriot Limited has a rusted subframe and rack & pinion, as well as leaking struts on the front right and back left. Repair costs are estimated to be more than $4,300. That's about what my car is worth right now. Is it safe to drive for awhile, or what suggestions would you have?
My car has 77381 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Recommended Services
| Brakes, Steering and Suspension Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
You must have been driving in some extreme conditions to have so much rust that it needs a new subframe. If the only thing you need is a couple of struts and a rack,then it would be worth it to do the work, but if the car is really so rusty that it needs a subframe, I don’t think I would put the money into it. Of course, sitting here at my desk it is impossible for me to say whether the car is safe to drive, but I believe a second opinion is in order. If you contact Your Mechanic, you can have a technician come out to your home or office to inspect your car and let you know what it’s going to take to sort it out.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
Shifter linkage not working properly
Hello. If the shifter is stuck in 3rd and 4th gear then most of the time the linkage is the problem. With the engine off you should be able to move the shifter through all of the gears. If not...
Battery replaced, fuel gauge stopped working
Hello. There are a couple of reasons that would cause the fuel gauge to stop working. The most common reason is that the fuel level sending unit has failed (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-fuel-gauge-sender) and is not accurately reading the fuel level. The fuel...
how much for a crankshaft positioning sensor and also how much to have a mechanic put one in
Hi there: Before you have one of our mobile mechanics replace the crankshaft position sensor, you should have them complete a full check engine light inspection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) first. It's possible that the code being displayed on your code reader is...
Engine code says my thermostat is bad but nothing seems wrong with my car.
Your vehicle is probably covered by GM's 5 year, 100,000 mile Powertrain Warranty. Consequently, you may be entitled to a free warranty repair of this thermostat issue, which issue by the way is not particularly unusual and so the dealer...
What is the standard thickness of front break pads on a 2013 toyota corolla?
The standard thickness of just about all new brake pads is around 10mm. If your brake pads are at 5mm, they have about half of their usable life left. I would recommend replacing your brake pads when they reach a...
How can you tell if the timing chain is causing a noise only when the car is cold? 2004 Nissan Maxima
Hello - more than likely, the noise you hear when the engine is cold is the camshaft timing actuators (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/variable-valve-timing-vvt-switch-replacement). These components utilize engine oil pressure to operate. The engine oil drains off overnight, and it takes a few seconds...
The code I get for the O2 sensor reads Bank 2 is that the upper or lower sensor and where on the engine is that located? 2008 Kia Rondo
Hello - Bank 2 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/hello-i-have-to-replace-both-the-bank-1-and-bank-2-cat-does-bank-1-and-2-refer-to-right-and-left-thanks-by-jarod-gis) the cylinder group (or "Bank") that does NOT contain cylinder #1. (Conversely, Bank 1 is the group of cylinders or "bank" of the engine that contains cylinder #1) On your engine, Bank 2 would be...
Shift stick is loose 2007 Chevrolet Impala
Hello - the symptoms you describe are most likely caused by a loose or worn out shifter cable (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-shift-selector-cable). It may have even become disconnected on the transmission end of the cable. I recommend a shifter cable replacement (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/shift-selector-cable-replacement) performed...
Rpm fluctuates car will not shift out.
Hi There, Your RPM fluctuation may be a result of a faulty mass air flow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/mass-airflow-sensor-replacement) or idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement). As a result of this, your transmission control module may have trouble indicating shift points. This may...
Related articles
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Jeep Patriot
Those Those who love getting off road will often turn to a Jeep. The 2012 Patriot could be a good choice for those who want a quality vehicle for the roads, and when they decide to venture off the beaten...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Skier
When When summer ends, skiers start thinking about hitting the hills, and that means having to contend with winter driving conditions. Not just any vehicle is going to get the job done. We have evaluated several used ski-worthy vehicles, and...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Alaska in 2012
Alaska Alaska requires a different kind of vehicle to handle both the terrain and the wintery conditions. While some of the most popular options for the Alaskan terrain in previous years included options such as the Subaru Forester and the...
Browse other content
Services
Estimates