Anyone know much about what is normal in terms of rust and what is potentially problematic? For example what i should be looking for. Or how I can do anything preventative? I am a total novice when it comes to anything mechanical
Just make sure that the structural parts of the underneath of the car are sound - crossmembers, subframes, sills. They can all be prone to rust according to how the car has been used and where, and previous owner care.
Also look at the steel brake pipes where they emerge from their plastic coating near the calipers, a favourite weak point, and an annoying and costly fix as the labour can be expensive for replacing a virtually sound brake pipe save for rust on one small part of it.
Everyone has their favourite rust preventing products, mine is Bilt Hamber Dynax UB, a spray anti corrosion wax.
Modern cars are very good bodywise, but the parts mentioned above will still rust, as can suspension components, but as long as it's only a bit of surface rust, you should be OK. Sometimes things can happen like the drain holes for the suspension turrets blocking up and filling the void with a nice salty soup that will end up with the spring pan collapsing and the car scraping the road. A quick inspection with the wheels off to check suspension and brakes on all four corners every now and then should stop any of this happening.
Edited by corax on 15/04/2017 at 12:33
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