Attention Lowered Drivers - RUST!

[Glenn]

I wonder if the rubber things I have on top of my stock struts are better/worse for water protection than the things you Guys have. My car was made in Korea ( South...not North , otherwise it would be made of bamboo and string ) and I think I read somewhere on here that the USA cars are assembled in Michigan ?

Certainly worth watching carefully. I'll still see if I can get a decent picture and post it, of what my strut top has on it.

Be interested to see if the Chevy/GM people who watch this Forum make comment.

Glenn

 

[krakenredbeard]

How about you post a picture of your covers and hopefully someone will post a picture of theirs and we can compare?

 

[barrstev]

The aussie cars probably are different because although you guys do have some climate extremes, they're not as bad as those found in the US (extreme heat/cold, arid/humidity, altitude). A little grease on the threads should solve the problem. I'm surprised the nut isn't even zinc plated. It would be worth replacing the nut with one that has some sort of corrosion inhibitor, and then put a small amount of grease on the threads.

 

[RMinNJ]

I'll add greasing or sealing the strut top to my list of things to do but just great... the wife is going to think I'm crazy..spending an afternoon taking the wipers and cowl cover off to get to the strut top How many folks are going to do that...what pain.

Maybe grease the threads and caulk the cap/cover ??

 

[Natesriv]

it's not hard, some have had problems getting the wipers off...but undo the nut, rock the wiper arm forward and back (in the direction of the front of car and back of car), while pulling up and they'll come off.

Then the cowl comes off easy enough.. just be careful with the foam & rubber pieces on the outer edge (remember how they go back on).. and make sure you have a good seal to the windshield when reassembling...

The strut nut just has a round plastic cap on it...remove it, then sand away any rust..., grease and boom...clam chowder....

 

[bomboteer]

do you think its ok to spray some paint on it to protect or avoid it to happen?

 

[Natesriv]

I sprayed undercoating all over mine

 

[bomboteer]

I sprayed undercoating all over mine

I will do that when I install my new springs....

 

[Dirkdaddy]

This isn't that uncommon for these things to accumulate water, but what is odd the metal rusts so easily. I am going to look at mine next oil change, although stock height seems to be potential problem. That said, as a old mechanic, you can clean that off, use some waterproof grease (blue stuff or similar boat trailer bearing grease) liberally and seems like something like a peanut butter jar lid would fit over the top and keep water from accumulating.

 

[KPM]

I sprayed undercoating all over mine

I had thought about spraying some rubberized undercoating that I already had on hand under my Sonic. Changec my mind after reading the rust and rust through warentee.

I know that you are talking about rust on a mechanical suspension component here. Just posting to let all know that after factory undercoating professionaly or home applied might not be the best thing.

Wheel bearing on that nut in question looks like a food option to me.

 

[Stew]

...looks like a food option to me.

Mmm, food option.

 

[Hawkdsl]

dont use paint or undercoating.. you have to wire brush all that off if you ever have to remove it. Simple wheel grease will work fine. A light coat with your finger on all exposed threads anywhere on the car will keep em from rusting. Anything that gets heavy splash can be coated with a thin coat of black RTV, which is easy to peel off when the need comes.