[awbazar]

On a 1995 Ford Windstar, the front subframe is cracked and separated about an inch aft of the passenger's side front bushing attachment point to the car body. Since this problem was passed on to me by my son and I have not seen the vehicle in person, I am wondering whether the estimated $1,000 which he was given sounds reasonable for this job. The subframe goes for about $50 and the rest is labor.

The stated risk was whether the removal of the bushing bolts would detach the associated body part in the process and the prospect of other attachments detaching or being seriously needy of attention in the process. The rest of the vehicle is apparently relatively decent but undercarriage deterioration is not good overall.

This may be a candidate for vehicle retirement. The other question would be whether a "secret warranty" exists for this failure. This does not look like the kind of thing which should retire a car unless other parts of the car are made with a "doomed for failure perspective". What next? Cardboard pistons?

[LATECH]

I would think it would be an easy fix to weld it. Maybe drive to a welding shop and show them the trouble.Even if its aluminum I am sure they can help if they are open minded.

[awbazar]

The suggestion to attempt a weld repair might be worth a try although the general condition of the entire subframe looked like laminated layers of rust. From the one photo I saw of it, I did not consider welding but I'll pass that on as a worthy prospect. Thank you for commenting.

[Bryan59EC]

Might try calling a tranny shop for a quote on this.

When the trans is pulled from these things, they remove the entire subframe.

I saw it myself when my 96 was up on the rack with no trans in it..

They may be able to do it for less than a grand. After all, it is about 300 to remove and inspect a trans----and they have to put it back together even if they don't fix it.

[eldercaddy]

The Front Subframe of 1995 Ford Windstar is good for me. I am using it for a long years until now. Just sharing.

[MARTINSR]

That sounds quite a bit out of line if you ask me. I will look it up tomorrow but I believe it is only something like 6 hours by the book, maybe even less. Unless your labor is about $150 an hour and he is selling your the sub frame for $100 it is too much. But I do have to say the sub frame is probably more like $250 retail.

Brian

[1969NovaSS]

I looked up the warranty time and it is 5 hrs to replace the front subframe including alignment. So Normal time should be around 7.5hrs. With our shop rate of $95 its 713 in labor.

[MARTINSR]

It makes sense then, the frame is more like 250 and you are right there in the ball park, a $grand.

Brian

[awbazar]

Gentlemen: Thank you for the comments. I now have a feeling that the quote of $1000 was actually in the ballpark but will consider the tranny shop suggestion and welding too as a remote prospect. Thank you for your help!