mannetti21

iTrader: (3)

Looking forward to this new forum section...I've got much to learn.

Not sure if this is a common thing with 5th gens or others, but I've got rust that is just barely creeping out from both of my rear fender/wheel-wells. Looks like the underside lip of the fender is "fraying" apart. The rest of the body doesn't have any sore spots like this and is actually in pretty good condition for an '01.

Is there anything that can be done to stop this from progressing? I'm getting especially worried as we're getting into the winter months here in New England.

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

you have any pics of the current damage/condition?

mannetti21

iTrader: (3)

I'll take a couple pics tomorrow and post back.

95maxrider

iTrader: (32)

I know I got some on my PS after I had my fenders rolled. It was probably just a coincidence, but ya never know. It's been slowly growing over the last three years, but really is still only barely noticeable and hasn't gotten bad enough for me to want to fix it.

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

that tells me who ever rolled the fenders cracked the paint. add some dirt and water....rust.

if it's only surface rust now it's a good idea to clean it up and repaired. once you have major rust where the steel is getting brittle best thing to do is cut and paste (weld) a new piece in.

95maxrider

iTrader: (32)

I watched while the work was being done and they used the proper rolling tool and a heat gun, but yes, that's still a possibility, even though I can't see any cracking at all. It goes with the territory.

I just did a lot of rust repair on my 24 year old BMW, and am not looking forward to doing anything like that to my car.

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

rust repair is a total PITA

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

its very common on 5th gens !

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...st-repair.html

Amazing write up from squirrel82

mannetti21

iTrader: (3)

Not sure if I'm going to be able to pull that off. I have a feeling if I start grinding, a chunk of the exterior metal is going to chip off. Any idea what an acceptable price quote would be to have this done by the body shop? Both pics are from the same fender, other side is similar.

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

price will vary on how they want to repair it.

some will just convert the rust and seal it. that's the cheap fix.
some will cut out the piece and weld/glue on a patch piece.

unless you're ready to go and fix it don't touch it. more chipping and digging will cause more damage if you don't cover it.

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

thats called a quarter panel, the fronts are called fenders. i have that on my 4th gen, luckily for me its only on passenger side. mine is'nt as bad cause i caught it before it got to that point. i bought a can of rubberized rust encapsulator spray and cleaned up the area and sprayed like 4 coats on the area thats rusting. the rust is spreading and i know im going to have to have a piece cut out in the spring and rewelded as danny has stated. i got a quote of 500.00 to do that job. im gonna do it cause that's the only rust on the car.

T_Behr904

I have the same problem with my car. It was bought here locally, but the original owner (i'm the 2nd owner) lived in NYC for a few years before moving back here and selling the car. That's all it took to rust the rear fender area and eat up the lower radiator support, which I had replaced earlier this year.

nsnrider

iTrader: (59)

pretty much all 5th gens in new england have rusty quarter panels to some degree unless the owner has already had it repaired. the fact is that the manufacturer decided to save some money on undercoating and seam sealer. water/salt gets in between the outer skin and the inner structure and over time....rusts.

I have done this repair a numerous of times. I have cut out old rusted metal and welded new metal when the rusts eats right through like the OP has shown in pics. If it just bulbs up, you might be able to have it treated and repaired without cuting metal.

Most likely not a DIY type of job.

Danimal94

The other day i had to grind away a good percentage of the rust on my Maxipad and paint over it as a patch job. Front fenders, rear quarter panels, rocker panels, trunk, etc. My rust problems are way worse than pictured above. Gotta love the Upper Peninsula and all the salt that they throw down on the roads.

GGENIUS

iTrader: (1)

whenever you get your fenders rolled, theres almost no way to stop the paint from cracking somewhat. which is why its best to roll them before a paint job. the cracks can be microscopic. also paintless dent repair, although supposed to be done without needed any paint work afterwards, can cause microscopic cracks which lead to bubbles and or rust. if you bend painted metal its next to impossible to not crack the paint.

we also get 1/4 panel rust from our ****ty *** drain tubes that run under the panel. still need to alter my drains.