Undercarriage Rust! Problem or not...?

bucknakedru · 09-27-2009, 10:33 AM

My Evo had the same issue with the undercarriage rust. The dealer said that it was "normal" to the extent that rust will form where the paint has chipped exposing the steel body parts/frame. Like its been said, unless you plan to keep the car for 15 years plus, its not going to rust through. The dealer won't cover rust unless its visible on painted body panels.

carfr3ak · 09-27-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucknakedru

The dealer won't cover rust unless its visible on painted body panels.

You should try another dealer. The most vulnerable areas for rust, especially where it snows, is the underbody carriage. The only time you see rusting on body panels is when there is a deep scratch that goes straight through the paint onto the metal.

Modshack · 09-27-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carfr3ak

You should try another dealer. The most vulnerable areas for rust, especially where it snows, is the underbody carriage. The only time you see rusting on body panels is when there is a deep scratch that goes straight through the paint onto the metal.

Ummmm...You might want to read your warranty. Dealer has NO obligation to cover any underbody rusting..

carfr3ak · 09-27-2009, 01:53 PM

I just read the warranty, you're right. However, that kind of rust so early on a new car isn't something pleasant.

nicknick · 09-27-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Don't feel too left out. I'm in Chicago and my car looks similar underneath. I called the dealer and they said to bring it in. I doubt they'll do much, or at least they won't do enough. I'm tempted just to lift it up, give it a quick brush off, and then hit it with either the POR15 or some good old Rustoleum. Either should do the trick and work just fine.

On a side note, the rust we're seeing is very superficial. Unless you plan to keep this car 10 years, I doubt it will ever be an issue.

**just picked up my Rustoleum enamel (flat black), a steel brush, some foam brushes, and a new carbide brush for my dremel for the tough spots.

Yes, obviously from the disposable society.

Modshack · 09-27-2009, 09:13 PM

Finish quality under the car isn't that great. I don't think it's gonna be pretty after the Norherners go through this winter with salt, crap and corrosives on the roads..

spearfish25 · 09-27-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknick

Yes, obviously from the disposable society.

I don't plan on keeping my car in an hermetically sealed box to save for the NEXT guy.

FricFrac · 09-28-2009, 07:50 AM

If you are going to repair the car don't forget about neutralizing the rust - don't just wire brush it and paint over it! Conquest is another good rust converter to use as well.

Pushing_Tin · 12-31-2009, 01:13 AM

Okay I finally got my car to the dealer today and had them take a look at the rust. I really didn't think it was a big deal, but the service manager was shocked that a car with 8k and garaged would have so much rust. Apparently when they put it on the rack there was more rust than I could see just crawling underneath.

So they ordered all new parts and they will be here in a week or two. If you live in a rainy or snowy area you may want to inspect your car too.

nogoodname · 12-31-2009, 01:15 AM

that's good they are stepping up, but which other parts were rusted out??

Pushing_Tin · 12-31-2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname

that's good they are stepping up, but which other parts were rusted out??

The two arms on each side an another part, I forget which. I'll post up the details once I get it in there.

Modshack · 12-31-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushing_Tin

The two arms on each side an another part, I forget which. I'll post up the details once I get it in there.

Your dealer's an idiot If it's the tie rod arms. those are raw cast iron parts. They surface rust naturally as any cast part will (like brake rotors) and the new ones will too, unless painted or finished in some way....Betcha Nissan kicks that warrantly claim back, though it'll be no skin off your back... You're not really accomplishing anything by replacing those..

Here's a pic of some brand new ones when my car had a few hundred miles on it:

PapoZalsa · 12-31-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushing_Tin

I know corrosion is covered under warranty, but I don't know whether this amount of surface rust is really a problem.

I would take to the dealer so is documented in your car records for future reference.

If you fix it on your own then it might become a bigger issue later on. Let them handle it, it is under warranty.

NOTE: Oops, didn't read your post before I wrote this one. Glad the dealer is taking care of it.

Pushing_Tin · 12-31-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

Your dealer's an idiot If it's the tie rod arms. those are raw cast iron parts. They surface rust naturally as any cast part will (like brake rotors) and the new ones will too, unless painted or finished in some way....Betcha Nissan kicks that warrantly claim back, though it'll be no skin off your back... You're not really accomplishing anything by replacing those..

Here's a pic of some brand new ones when my car had a few hundred miles on it:

It's not the tie rod arms. I posted pictures of the rust at the beginning of the thread of the parts that are rusted.

Pushing_Tin · 12-31-2009, 02:49 PM

Here they are again.

09-27-2009, 09:13 PM	#36 (permalink)
Modshack A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greenville NC Posts: 2,883 Drives: 370Z Sport Rep Power: 976	Finish quality under the car isn't that great. I don't think it's gonna be pretty after the Norherners go through this winter with salt, crap and corrosives on the roads.. __________________ Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S Oil Cooler DIY: Here!

09-28-2009, 07:50 AM	#38 (permalink)
FricFrac A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 1,481 Drives: 370Z 300ZX 280ZX 240 Rep Power: 228	If you are going to repair the car don't forget about neutralizing the rust - don't just wire brush it and paint over it! Conquest is another good rust converter to use as well. __________________ '09 370Z - '93 300ZX Vert - '83 280ZX - '83 280ZXT -'81 280ZXT stroker - '72 240Z - Stillen CBE, HFC, G3, Grounding Kit, Sways // Swift Spring // H&R 15mm // 5% Tint // Clear Bra //

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09-27-2009, 10:33 AM	#31 (permalink)
bucknakedru Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: chicago Posts: 39 Drives: Silver 370Z Rep Power: 15	My Evo had the same issue with the undercarriage rust. The dealer said that it was "normal" to the extent that rust will form where the paint has chipped exposing the steel body parts/frame. Like its been said, unless you plan to keep the car for 15 years plus, its not going to rust through. The dealer won't cover rust unless its visible on painted body panels.

09-27-2009, 01:53 PM	#34 (permalink)
carfr3ak Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 71 Drives: Nissan SUV Rep Power: 15	I just read the warranty, you're right. However, that kind of rust so early on a new car isn't something pleasant.

12-31-2009, 01:13 AM	#39 (permalink)
Pushing_Tin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 2,875 Drives: E63 AMG Rep Power: 227	Okay I finally got my car to the dealer today and had them take a look at the rust. I really didn't think it was a big deal, but the service manager was shocked that a car with 8k and garaged would have so much rust. Apparently when they put it on the rack there was more rust than I could see just crawling underneath. So they ordered all new parts and they will be here in a week or two. If you live in a rainy or snowy area you may want to inspect your car too.

12-31-2009, 01:15 AM	#40 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	that's good they are stepping up, but which other parts were rusted out??

12-31-2009, 02:49 PM	#45 (permalink)
Pushing_Tin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 2,875 Drives: E63 AMG Rep Power: 227	Here they are again.