So I just got the car back on the road after having an alternator failure last month, and a bubble in a tire last week. Enjoying my new satellite radio subscription. Everything was fine.
Went to the day care to pick up my daughter this afternoon, and was backing down the driveway when I heard a crunch of metal. AUUGGH! First thought was, I hit someone's car, or the hydrant next to the driveway. I looked around - nothing, no objects. Rolled a foot or two more and heard metal scraping. Next thought was that the gas tank strap studs had failed, even though I did a good repair - maybe the tank dropped?!
Nope. Got out and saw the left rear sagging. Yup. Found the left rear axle spring wedged under the axle, with the jounce bumper snapped off inside. I had to get help jacking up the right side, as the left side was too low for a jack. Got the spring out, found the rubber seat, and saw that the spring perch had a ragged edge and was bent down from the axle, scraping on the ground. I was able to drive home 3 blocks in first gear with a little scraping noise on occasion.
Looks like two solutions: Have someone obtain or fabricate a good spring perch and weld it on; or find a good replacement axle and have it swapped out. Not going to attempt it myself. I have too many repairs around the home already, worst of which is the washing machine has been apart for a week.
Two snags are finding a used axle that will fit, and finding someone who has the skill and is willing to weld in a repair. As to the general condition, the only other rust is the front edge of the rear crossmember, I found some rot and pulled out some loose sections about 2 x 10 inches on each side. Front face only. But it factors into the decision as to whether to keep the car. So much else is good about it, it would be a terrible waste to part it out. And I'm not ready financially to buy a new Dart, and now they say the Darts may have suspension problems.
Anyone faced this before, and how did you fix it? Approximate cost? Thanks.