Frame rotted out! Driver side rear only..

[mjones375]

Hi there, My 1999 Lexus RX300 was ready for some brake pads so I took it to my shop.  Once ready for pad replace they put it up on the lift, took the wheels off and found on the driver side rear the body/frame is so rotten that it is barely attached at all!  I plan on taking it to a body shop to see if they can weld new steel in some how but my mechanics were not real positive on that working as there is so much steel missing.  We shall see lol..  Also, I had a neighbor who owned an apartment complex and a few years back he called me to help pickup a 2001 Toyota Celica or something like that that was in bad shape, his tenant owed back rent and gave him the car.  He planned on fixing it up and selling (he did this all the time)  Long story short the jack stands went through the frame in the back.  It was completely rusted through.  Turned out there was a recall, he met with the dealership, they wanted him to take a pay out but he insisted on having the frame replaced which they did. lol..  Anyway I'm curious if there is any chance I would be so lucky?  There is no rust like this anywhere else on the car and especially the frame. I'm surprised I didn't notice this in times past.  Makes me wonder if the steel was rusted up at the factory.  Love this car, I have treated it so well and it only has 155,000 miles on it.  Was hoping to drive it for many more years...  Any help and guidance is much appreciated. 

[RX400h]

Back in the early 80s, I worked with a drafting checker who was selling his 1970 Toyota Cressida. The owner took excellent care of the car, so I suggested that my mother buy it. The state of Connecticut required cars older than 10 years of age be safety-inspected. They found that the frame rust rendered the car unsafe, and the owner had to scrap it.

Since you live in Ohio, it doesn't surprise me that a 23 year-old vehicle has some underbody rust. I used to rinse the underside of my cars to remove the salt and sand during Winter months. Unfortunately, the next morning I had to pour hot water on the door lock in order to allow my key to unlock it.

 But I agree that an autobody shop should know whether they can make your car safe again.

[mjones375]

Thanks for the reply Dave!  I will go to some shops this week and see what they say.  I thought it was weird that the deuteriation was so bad only on this one spot.  I also would use the car wash and experience the car door not opening and also my key not going in the lock lol lol...