What parts have you replaced due to excessive rust?
What parts have you replaced due to excessive rust?
Because 4th gen are getting older rust appears to be an issue for many of us, unless you are in a warm climate. I recently had the lower radiator core support replaced on my 98 SE due to excessive rust (it was almost totally gone). I am also concerned about excessive rust on the control arms and some of the rear suspension. What parts have you replaced due to excessive rust?
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,572
From: Middleboro/Carver, Ma
I've done core supports on mine, a freinds, and another .org members car. As for the control arms though, they aren't thin sheet metal like the core support, it would have to be BAD to warrant replacement.
My 97 SE came from Long Island, NY - I am in Florida. My core support is rusted as well, that will probably be the next things I have to change(atleast until I go w/ the 3.5 
)
It looks difficult, but I don't think it will be that hard.
)It looks difficult, but I don't think it will be that hard.
Yes, my muffler went to muffler heaven due to rust as well.
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 94
From: Maryland
My muffle died, and the light bracket for the rear license plate. I have scraped and coated every part on the underside of my car with
http://www.bull-frog.com/products/
Hopefully this will prevent more rust from forming. Once this stuff dried I applied a coat of spray-on Rubberized Undercoating from Slep Boys. That should do the trick.
FYI...The NorthEast = Rust Central. My car is from NY, tons of rust.
http://www.bull-frog.com/products/
Hopefully this will prevent more rust from forming. Once this stuff dried I applied a coat of spray-on Rubberized Undercoating from Slep Boys. That should do the trick.
FYI...The NorthEast = Rust Central. My car is from NY, tons of rust.
that sounds about right if you have a body shop replace the whole radiator support. But if you want a quick cheap fix, just replace the buttom portion of the support. not hard to do
rust ate away the pipe behind the resonator. went to check it and the whole thing fell out and broke off at the muffler too. had the whole piping and muffler replaced. rear wheel wells my fault. wheels were a bit wide at 32offset on 18x8 and thats starting to show rust.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,572
From: Middleboro/Carver, Ma
Shortly before I replaced mine due to the horrible rot, I had the brand new nissan lower already and I ended up crashing the car bad and damaged the upper as well, I ended up having a junkyard cut an upper out of the car and used the brand new nissan lower, but anyways...... Replacing just the lower is in no way a quick cheap fix, it is the proper way.
But I will agree that it's not hard to do, at least it's not THAT hard to do anyways, the most difficult part is removing the old one, ie drilling all the pinch welds out and what not is a pita, but than getting it to break free involves chiseling and banging and swearing at it and what not. But anyways, the last one I did I was able to do in one day, I didn't get started until around 11:00am and I took several breaks and it was done around 6:30pm.
But anyways, I think the main reason people are scared of this job (asides from the welding which isn't that difficult, plus the bolts do most of the work anyways) But I think most people are scared and let body shops handle it because they think there are alignments and measurements and what not that have to be done perfect, it's not like that at all, once you have the old one off the new one sorta fits into place perfect, you just need to put two visegrips on each side to bring it in as tight as possible before you tighten the three bolts/tow hook on each side. Also, tip: there is no need to remove the headlights, a/c condenser, radiator, etc.
Last edited by KRRZ350; Sep 29, 2007 at 12:23 AM.
i never really had a problem with rust on my first max. but then again the car was so beat up maybe i just didnt care...
i had a 93 Maxima SE that i got at 138k. it was a north carolina car (they do have "rough" winters there, as well as tons of salt on the roads due to ice cover)
i then took it back to NY, CT and Rhode Island for about 3 years. then i took it to VERMONT! for 2 or 3 more years. i NEVER had a problem becuase of the cold/snow/salt. i beat the crap outta this thing. and after 5 years the only thing i ever did was my own oil changes and one time i replaced the rotors/pads. it was bulletproof
granted i never bothered to look at the undercarrage (i was a junkie - the car was the least of my concerns), but i think most vehicles are designed to stand up to that kind of abuse.
now if you live by the ocean, that is a much different case.
i had a 93 Maxima SE that i got at 138k. it was a north carolina car (they do have "rough" winters there, as well as tons of salt on the roads due to ice cover)
i then took it back to NY, CT and Rhode Island for about 3 years. then i took it to VERMONT! for 2 or 3 more years. i NEVER had a problem becuase of the cold/snow/salt. i beat the crap outta this thing. and after 5 years the only thing i ever did was my own oil changes and one time i replaced the rotors/pads. it was bulletproof
granted i never bothered to look at the undercarrage (i was a junkie - the car was the least of my concerns), but i think most vehicles are designed to stand up to that kind of abuse.
now if you live by the ocean, that is a much different case.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1
My 96 Maxima is rusting all over - especially around the tire wells and the bottom portion of the exterior body. I live in Canada and the salt from winter is eating my car. The rust is like cancer and is quickly spreading.
I went to a body shop to get a quote and it was ridiculously expensive. What are my options? Is there a cheaper alternative?
I went to a body shop to get a quote and it was ridiculously expensive. What are my options? Is there a cheaper alternative?
Lil' bit more than Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 23
From: Boston
Alde I have the same question as you, I'm in Boston and travel to Vermont all the time. My poor car needs work but I am low on funds especially after having to replace alternator and brakes.....any suggestions for cleaning/rust proofing? OR any DIY things?
Should be in bed...
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21
From: Seattle, WA
Catback and most of the supports for the exhaust piping to rust. I started out in PA and am now in WA; every mechanic that has seen my car out here has stated that it's the worst they've seen in a while rust-wise.
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 173
From: Morristown, NJ
With 135k, I'm looking to replace my entire exhaust today. A buddy is going to help me since I don't know squat about the exhaust. I'll post what I replaced....
I also have to replace my ac compressor. Turns out when I replaced the belts, I tightened them too much and now the car is loud at idle. When I removed the belt, the sound dissapeared. There goes another $500+, but at least I'm smarter than before I did the job!
Education is expensive, but ignorance is more!
I also have to replace my ac compressor. Turns out when I replaced the belts, I tightened them too much and now the car is loud at idle. When I removed the belt, the sound dissapeared. There goes another $500+, but at least I'm smarter than before I did the job!
Education is expensive, but ignorance is more!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 135
I live in MN and have had great success with POR-15 rust coating. Very simple to use and lasts for many years. Core support can still be saved, thats next. Thankfully my car has a well done undercoating so my rust is minor. My fuel lines seem really corroded, they flake off if you scratch them. I am going to coat those with POR-15 also.
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 64
From: Madison, WI
Donating Maxima.org Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 33
From: NY,NY
http://forums.nycmaximas.org/showthread.php?t=27456
To avoid dealing with that rust again, here is an easy mod you might like.
To avoid dealing with that rust again, here is an easy mod you might like.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,871
From: IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO CARES!!
Northeast rust is the worse and when, you drive in the snow and the salt and slush your car is going to rust faster than a blood clot reaching your heart for a attack. I have rust on the rear susupension beam and the exhaust,front suspension and the fuel lines near the tank. I will have to replace my exhaust soon. I have to keep on spraying the wd-40 it helps minimize the rust and some pb blaster. My core support is on it's way out.
Lil' bit more than Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 23
From: Boston
I'm also in the NorthEast and I'm terrified to see what everything looks like underneath.....yikes....no one is getting Xmas presents this year, I have to give all my present money to the Max. But she deserves it prob the most lol
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 148
I suddenly have rust RIGHT THROUGH the lower edge of the LF fender, on that small strip just ahead of the wheel well just below the 1" crease on the fender. 
I keep the car pristine, wash the wheel wells each time the car is washed, and this came up out of nowhere from clean paint to rusty HOLE in about three months! I wonder if the battery tray drain exits near this location and some acid got on there or something. 
I keep the car pristine, wash the wheel wells each time the car is washed, and this came up out of nowhere from clean paint to rusty HOLE in about three months! I wonder if the battery tray drain exits near this location and some acid got on there or something.
...more due to the mileage (268,000) than old age.
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 98
From: Clifton,NJ
My 97 is in need of lower rad support also. Damn shame, the rest is just normal rust levels for 10 years old. Wish I would have known the car was gonna last this long, I could have re-painted the underside!
Because 4th gen are getting older rust appears to be an issue for many of us, unless you are in a warm climate. I recently had the lower radiator core support replaced on my 98 SE due to excessive rust (it was almost totally gone). I am also concerned about excessive rust on the control arms and some of the rear suspension. What parts have you replaced due to excessive rust?
Peel back the rubber strip sand off the rust then cover the bare metal with some varnish and finish it off with some body colored touch up paint. When it gets warmer out have it looked at by a body shop, in the meantime you can keep doing that until you can afford to get it done by a shop.
