Chassis flex with rust?

[Burnera]

Anybody had problems with the chassis going wonkey due to rust?

I have a 1990 station wagon. The running board seams under the car are severely rusted, almost missing in some places.


I had planned to do rally cross events with this car, but now i'm concerned i'd be bringing the car to an early end if i competed with it.

[93forestpearl]

My previous shell was pretty rusty. I drove it hard and did notice some flex.

What suspension are you planning on using? If you are thinking that the thing is going to fold in half you might be a little too worried.

[Burnera]

well stock until the struts blow out. Then probably outback struts and springs. Also 15" or 14" wheels with used all seasons or rally tires if i can get ahold of some.
Leave the sway bars on most likely.

I'm not worried about it folding in half per se. More like becoming flexible enough to make it worrisome for street driving or competition. Like if it could somehow flex enough to make the car unstable or sway happy.

[93forestpearl]

Well, I was driving with H&R coilovers and poly bushings all around. Minnesota roads aren't the nicest either. I could see all the way through my rocker panels. Not cool, but not the end of the world. If you are running any form of stock suspension, you will be taking a significant amount of shock loads out of the chassis.

I think you'll be fine.