QP front suspension subframe rot

[drewf]

That looks like jacking damage to me. Being hollow it looks to have been distorted upwards when the section collapsed. That breaks the paint and when submerged in road cr4p and salt, over time, rusts through.

Yep - I'll buy that Benny.

What I'd like to know though, is just what it looked like at the MoT just a few months before I bought it.

 

[Elliott653]

I'm getting my '06 QP serviced next week @ McGraths. I'll get them to check this out.

 

[Simon]

I'm getting my '06 QP serviced next week @ McGraths. I'll get them to check this out.

You can see the area easily by sticking your head under. There is a design problem as at least one of those box sections is actually a U-section with NO drainage holes. Its like a gutter with nowhere for the water/salt/snow/slush to go. Road **** fills that up and just sits there, thats why people are saying it rots from the inside.

Next question, what years are affected? Did Maserati ever notice and also do GranTurismo's share a similar part?

 

[Simon]

That looks like jacking damage to me. Being hollow it looks to have been distorted upwards when the section collapsed. That breaks the paint and when submerged in road cr4p and salt, over time, rusts through.

Thought Benny, corrosion weakened the section until paper thin, then collapsed when jacked up rather than the other way around?

 

[BennyD]

Drill a quarter inch hole in the subframe at each end and tip a load of Dinitrol in the middle of the cross-section. That should stop the rot and prevent it happening again.

 

[Parisien]

That will work, if on a newish car, one thats half rotted, will only delay slightly, the inevitable.

Question, if this has been ongoing for some time and has happened multiple owners.....what has Maseratis response been to the premature failure of a major sub-frame of cars 4/5/6 yrs old?

P

 

[Simon]

Had a look on Eurospares , the 2008 Granturismo looks to share the same part as the Quattroporte bar a few small fittings.

 

[mjheathcote]

Thought Benny, corrosion weakened the section until paper thin, then collapsed when jacked up rather than the other way around?

This will be what has happened.

Drill a quarter inch hole in the subframe at each end and tip a load of Dinitrol in the middle of the cross-section. That should stop the rot and prevent it happening again.

Very good idea, also allows water to drain away of course.

 

[Elliott653]

D Day for my 06 car tomorrow. I hope McGraths find nothing untoward. I shall report in ASAP.

 

[hodroyd]

Thanks Elliott, ask them to check your metalwork to see if it has underseal..!!

 

[Elliott653]

Thanks Elliott, ask them to check your metalwork to see if it has underseal..!!

Will do.

Though, saying that, they stuck the car up on a ramp in February just to give it a once over as that was the first time they'd seen the car. They didn't mention anything back then. In fact, I've just found a photo of Paul having a look at what looks like the area of the sub frame in question.

 

[hodroyd]

Probably OK then, fingers crossed..!!

 

[Elliott653]

Probably OK then, fingers crossed..!!

Indeed!

 

[Elliott653]

McGraths have just emailed me. They've had a good look at the suspension sub-frame of my 06 QP and they report that there is no excessive corrosion in that area of the car. As well as being a relief, it leads me to believe that the cars that have been affected must have experienced something other than normal road use to cause such extensive and severe damage.

 

[hodroyd]

That's great news Elliott, a weight off your mind..?? Could have been damaged and sat in water when we had those bad floods maybe..??

 

[drewf]

Shiltech told me that there was no corrosion on the nearside of my car, and you've seen the horrific state of the offside. If it was caused without some additional factor, like external damage, then I'd expect each side to be at least reasonably similar. I agree with you Elliott - something else has happened to the cars with rotten subframes.

 

[hodroyd]

Let's hope you can get her sorted out Drew..!!

 

[drewf]

It was Robert, last year...

 

[hodroyd]

Excellent..!!

 

[Elliott653]

I've just got an email from McGraths. They've treated the subframe with cavity wax as a precaution. Maybe something other QP owners should consider?