Possible rust area

[NMBruce]

Don't know if you guys have seen this or not. Found this today while putting on my sliders. I found a lot of old leaves and dirt back up in here, will clean it out better tomorrow. This is right where the front fender liner and running board meet, both sides had a lot of stuff in there.

 

[kbahus]

We need to start a complete list of rust prone spots and that is certainly a good place for rust to build.

I have found the rear tail lights have little foam pads on the bottom that retain water and cause serious rust. The problem is you will not notice it until it`s too late. I took some pics in my "Bare Minimum" thread.

 

[Bluetribal]

I saw someone note the inside of the tail light where there is a spongy cushion to prevent rattles but it holds moisture too.

My worst area is the front of the frame where the skid plates cover. I plan to hit this area with a wire brush and a good cleaning before I install new skid plates.

 

[kbahus]

Here is an update on the spongy cushion issue. I already had pulled them on the black GX after investigating why I had a massive rust spot under the tail light. I have now spotted other GX's in the rust belt with the same rust spot! Today I decided to pull the tail lights on my 03 and found the same sponges and they were soaking wet and holding moisture against the body. Ripped them off and applied some Fluid Film in the area but I am confident this is going to be a problem area for all GX470's.

I also have some surface rust spots that have developed under the rear door weatherstrip where water was trapped. Might be a good idea to check under there too. Keep in mind this truck has not seen a salty winter and was from Cali so there should be zero rust anywhere.

The little foam triangle in the lower left corner is the problem:

This is what happens over time, especially in the salt belt:

Surface rust spots on the rear sill:

 

[Aloha Jen]

Here is an update on the spongy cushion issue. I already had pulled them on the black GX after investigating why I had a massive rust spot under the tail light. I have now spotted other GX's in the rust belt with the same rust spot! Today I decided to pull the tail lights on my 03 and found the same sponges and they were soaking wet and holding moisture against the body. Ripped them off and applied some Fluid Film in the area but I am confident this is going to be a problem area for all GX470's.

I also have some surface rust spots that have developed under the rear door weatherstrip where water was trapped. Might be a good idea to check under there too. Keep in mind this truck has not seen a salty winter and was from Cali so there should be zero rust anywhere.

View attachment 1330022

The little foam triangle in the lower left corner is the problem:
View attachment 1330023

This is what happens over time, especially in the salt belt:
View attachment 1330025

Surface rust spots on the rear sill:
View attachment 1330024

I am sure there is a simple answer to this dumb question.....Is there some secret to getting the rear taillights off to check on this potential rust spot? I unbolted everything, but couldn't get them to come off. Is there a tab or a clip that needs to be pushed in order to get them off?

 

[Bluetribal]

IIRC there is a tab that snaps in but you just pull the whole assembly straight back and it will pop out.

 

[kbahus]

I am sure there is a simple answer to this dumb question.....Is there some secret to getting the rear taillights off to check on this potential rust spot? I unbolted everything, but couldn't get them to come off. Is there a tab or a clip that needs to be pushed in order to get them off?

There are two plastic retaining clips that the light slides into. To release you have to pull/slide the light housing towards the rear to get it released. So basically just slide the light housing straight back. They are kind of stubborn so be careful when they pop loose.

In the first pic you can see a portion of the clip in the lower right section of the image.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Thanks @Bluetribal and @kbahus, I will try that today!

 

[Aloha Jen]

There are two plastic retaining clips that the light slides into. To release you have to pull/slide the light housing towards the rear to get it released. So basically just slide the light housing straight back. They are kind of stubborn so be careful when they pop loose.

Thanks, got the lights off following your advice. Happy to find no rust, but peeled off those bottom sponges as some pm against future rusting.

 

[kbahus]

Were yours wet by chance? Curious as they were wet on both of my trucks.

 

[TRY666R]

Were yours wet by chance? Curious as they were wet on both of my trucks.

Going to pull mine off this weekend and see if they are wet, remove the triangle foam piece

 

[Aloha Jen]

Were yours wet by chance? Curious as they were wet on both of my trucks.

Mine were not. But its been 84 degrees, sunny and hasn't rained in the last 5 days in my neck of the woods.....so I am probably not a good candidate to ask.

 

[kbahus]

Yours does look a LOT cleaner behind the lights than mine did!