Rust in frame / suspension... what do you do?

[David_VT]

My 99 with about 45K is showing rust on all the weld beads all over the undercarriage, the coils springs, etc.



If you see this or have seen this, what did you do to treat it?



My environment is 4 season weather with mondo salt on the roads all winter.



Also I have a rust spot showing on one body panel. Some say that Dodge is on the hook for that even after the 3/36K, anyone agree with that??



Thx

 

[Bigramguy]

Forget about DC covering the rust. Has to be complete penetration (ie:hole) for them to do anything,and then they will tell you it was caused by a stone chip or something else beyond their control. I would get it touched up now so it doesn't become a big problem later.



As far as the rest of the frame,the right way would be to pull the body off,and sand-blast and powder coat,but way to much work. A small spot sand-blaster,and a few good coats of tremclad will work just as good. Then get it undercoated every year,and tell them to go heavy on the frame areas.

 

[larryq]

Move somewhere the winters don't require SALT!!!!





HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE







Remember ME???????



Larry

 

[dresslered]

David-

The best thing that I can recommend is to sand the rust spots off yourself and apply POR-15 over the area. If prepped properly the rust should not return. I think that you would have a tough time getting DC to stand up to this one. I live in sunny California and have rust all over the suspension components, transmission, drive shafts, and under the dash!



http://www.por15.com/

 

[Oasis-3]

About twice a year I get under the truck with a can of black spray paint and give evetything a light coat so far so good.



Cliff

 

[Great White]

I brought Big Blue home from the dealer and promptly shot six cans of marine enamel on all undercarrige parts... Still some have formed rust. As far as the leafs of the springs I suppose that where they rub a shot of penetrating motorcycle chain lube would keep the rust at bay... . Rich

 

[JSoloman]

I had less than 1000 miles on my truck, when I discovered rust all over the underside. I about flipped. I took it in to the dealer, along with a handful of photos and raised the roof. They tried calming me down, but I threw my 94 Chevy in their face. Not a lick of rust on the truck for the seven years I had it. I pretty much told them buying that truck with it inferior work was beginning to look like one big mistake. I received a call from a DC rep the next day, to set up an appointment to have the underside stripped, primed and painted. Yes, it can be resolved... just make lots of noise about it.

 

[David_VT]

My tired old 91 suburban which has been shaken in California, stirred on an island off New England (i. e. Ocean), been scorched in Phoenix, drizzled on in Washington State and driven off the road in snowy Vermont...



Has not a lick of rust under it.



In fact the only rust on it is where the paint peeled on the roof due to the lousy primer they had in those days.



==

When I look for old dodges (non-inspectable) to use as a farm plow truck, almost everyone looks like the rust cancer in the frame was the reason the truck could no longer pass inspections.



A bit scary



(and NO, I don't want a chevy so don't go there)

 

[EScott]

Once a year I climb under the truck and shoot everything with the cheapest gloss black rattle cans I can find. Paint right over dirt, rust, whatever else there is looming around. Works great lasts long time.