1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Under body rust

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-22-06, 04:23 AM
  #1  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
aa35199's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: west bend, wi
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Under body rust

Like the title says, I have underbody rust. Curently I've only found cancer on the drivers floor pan, and a bit on the steel beams under the car. I plan on cutting the badly rusted parts and riveting a peice of sheet metal to patch it up, as for noncancer rust, I figured a good sanding and painting (mabey a bit of bondo) would do. The body panels have a very tiny bit of bubling paint, but thats also getting sanded and primed (paint job comming in the fall) and there is a little door sill rust too which I could easily sand off. Any body have any advice or input?
Old 06-22-06, 08:41 AM
  #2  
My wife bought me 2 RX-7s

 
MosesX605's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Make sure to check the wheel wells where the lower trailing arm bolts to the chassis. That area is notorious for rust on these cars and can be very dangerous if the link rusts out.
Old 06-22-06, 09:46 AM
  #3  
GSL-SE PRO

iTrader: (2)
 
JIMMY54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: MISSISSAUGA, ONT. CAN
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
The Front Frame rails behind where the Idler arm and steering box mount also tend to rust out. Acutally a while back there was a post about where the 1st gens are known to rust out...Do a search for it under my name. As far as advice, Make sure to clean the surface as best as possible because the rust will spread to the new metal if you dont
Old 06-22-06, 10:26 AM
  #4  
GSL-SE PRO

iTrader: (2)
 
JIMMY54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: MISSISSAUGA, ONT. CAN
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by JIMMY54
The Front Frame rails behind where the Idler arm and steering box mount also tend to rust out. Acutally a while back there was a post about where the 1st gens are known to rust out...Do a search for it under my name. As far as advice, Make sure to clean the surface as best as possible because the rust will spread to the new metal if you dont

this is what i'm working on... Hopefully your car wan't as bas as mine!!




Old 06-22-06, 11:28 AM
  #5  
Burning Oil-Grinding 3rd

 
Hades12's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Union Mills NC
Posts: 4,094
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by aa35199
Like the title says, I have underbody rust. Curently I've only found cancer on the drivers floor pan, and a bit on the steel beams under the car. I plan on cutting the badly rusted parts and riveting a peice of sheet metal to patch it up, as for noncancer rust, I figured a good sanding and painting (mabey a bit of bondo) would do. The body panels have a very tiny bit of bubling paint, but thats also getting sanded and primed (paint job comming in the fall) and there is a little door sill rust too which I could easily sand off. Any body have any advice or input?
If you plan to put a lot of money in the car I would suggest a clean shell first.
Old 06-22-06, 02:51 PM
  #6  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
aa35199's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: west bend, wi
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I gutted the car's interior and put it on jack stands and it turns out the worst rusting on the car was just the drivers side floorpan and I also caught some wheel well rust (not to bad) which mysteriously seemed to start on the inside of the car.
Old 06-22-06, 03:23 PM
  #7  
Junior Member

 
71plymouth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Idaho
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would not know much about underbody rust. My 83 has an engine oil leak that eventally completely covered the entire underbody with fresh clean oil.
Old 06-22-06, 06:25 PM
  #8  
Old Fart Young at Heart

iTrader: (6)
 
trochoid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: St Joe MO
Posts: 15,145
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Originally Posted by aa35199
I gutted the car's interior and put it on jack stands and it turns out the worst rusting on the car was just the drivers side floorpan and I also caught some wheel well rust (not to bad) which mysteriously seemed to start on the inside of the car.
If you have a sunroof, clean out the 4 drain tubes. Also check the the door gap at the top of the door for a tight seal.
Old 06-23-06, 12:51 AM
  #9  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
aa35199's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: west bend, wi
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The weather stripping was really trashed when I got the car, it was basicly rotted off I replaced it since. I just found that the cancer on the frame rail has spread to the adjacent lines running under the car so it looks like new brake and mabey fuel lines are comming.
Old 06-23-06, 01:21 AM
  #10  
kiwi from downunder..

iTrader: (4)
 
blwfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: springfield,oregon
Posts: 3,423
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
yeah check the sunroof iv got rustnear the front corners
i thought i was rust free till i stripped the interior im hoping its not through the roof ahhhh
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
OCDHerb
Build Threads
3
09-09-15 02:19 PM
OCDHerb
Build Threads
0
09-07-15 05:41 PM
nkuhajda
New Member RX-7 Technical
2
09-07-15 04:07 PM



Quick Reply: Under body rust



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:08 PM.