How to tell if the frame is rusted? (1 Viewer)

[BigSur]

So i am at home and bored....both kids asleep and the wife watching TV. I grap a beer and crawled underneath the truck. I get my light and just start fishing for what needs to be replaced next. As i am looking at the frame there is a build up of just crap so i scrap it off. Some parts look like they are starting to rust but i just can't tell. What does a rusty frame look like? Holes, Chipping and flaking, what?

Say my frame is in the early stages of rusting. How long do i have till its not safe to drive anymore and what can put on it to stop it from spreadnig further? POR? Would i need to sand down what i see now or just overlap it with POR?

Thanks

 

[TJDIV]

This build up of crap that you speak of needs to be scraped, brushed; just removed period. Spring cleaning on your rig is a good thing.

Get to bare metal in a place or three; see how it looks clean it nice and swell and POR over it. That should do ya. I'd put $10 on the body going before the frame if both were treated with relative respect to rust and aging.

Good Luck. (and wear goggles 8) )

Tom IV

 

[dylan]

hit it with a hammer and if it goes through it, your frame is screwed

 

[dylan]

at least thats how we tell in snowy, salty canada.

 

[Poser]

Hammer and combination prybar/chisel(flat tip screwdriver)...

SAFTEY GLASSES ARE ON RIGHT???

Oh, and as soon as you tap on the frame, other crap WILL fall in your face or ears...

Funtime!

Good luck!

-Steve

 

[Eternal]

If it is swelling and flaking then that is significant rusting. It is throughout the steel you can probably slow it with cleaning and POR or other simular product but I don't think you can stop it. From my limited experience I think the rear section of frame and cross member(bumper) are where the rusting is the worst. The condition of that would be a good gauge for the overall structure of the frame. If there are holes and excessive swelling(twice the thickness it should be) I would get into doing some serious investigating. Good hunting.