Rust in the rear

[mmleehr]

Hi all,

Looking for some advice...selling dealer and the PPI mechanic led me to believe one thing (that it's only surface rust, you're fine, it drives great, no problems), and when I received the 2006 LX 470, it was another. Within a week I took the vehicle in for its inspection (Pennsylvania) and the local independent mechanic has told me I need to reinforce the rear, there's too much rust on the frame in the rear to pass inspection. I don't have pictures yet but will post. Quick question is, do I bother spending the money to fix the rust (not sure what that entails just yet, going up to Rust Repair Inc. on Friday) or just try to sell on the forum (or anywhere else you suggest), the body, engine, transmission, and interior are all in good shape for especially for 220,000 miles.

Any fruitful advice is welcome, I'd like for this not to be a total loss.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Sounds like you bought it out of state and had it transported? I would maybe go back to the seller and PPI to question them. Post pics, can't say more until we see what you're dealing with.

 

[mmleehr]

Correct, bought out of state, and had shipped. I reached out and he has been "unreachable" today. Will post pictures @Truck monkey

 

[Aracobuilt]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. We are going to have to wait for pics in order to give you an opinion on the severity of the rust. Looks like there are already conflicting reports as to the condition.

Where did it spend its life at? Do you have a carfax?

 

[Mike NXP]

Ah dude that sucks, total bull s***. Did they not send you pics from underneath ? So mechanic said it needs reinforced but inspection didn't actually tell you that yet right?

Like everyone said it depends on how rusty , also looking forward to seeing pics

 

[tplane2]

I'd get rid of it personally. Structural/cross member replacement is a headache to replace and you'll never really know what other issues it might have due to rust. I'd also have strong negative feelings about that specific 100 that would always be present.

Sell it, take a little bit of loss, and start over. (Or move out of PA)

 

[excessive]

wihtout seeing pics its impossible to advise, but rust cannot ever really be stopped, only slowed down

 

[LC Lurker]

Without seeing it and going by your mechanic’s comments, sell it.

If it’s bad enough for a PA mechanic to say won’t pass, then it’s probably pretty bad. You could always get another mechanic’s opinion though.

Forum members looking at the pictures won’t out weigh a mechanic’s opinion, let alone 2 of em.

Good luck!

 

[mmleehr]

 

[mmleehr]

here's one of just an overall condition of the underside....the frame rails are somehow all in good shape.

 

[Aracobuilt]

That is definitely not surface rust. It is rusted thru in more than a few areas. It is also in areas that can't be unbolted and replaced. Repairs will be expensive and probably not worth it. I don't know what else to say.

 

[mmleehr]

this last one is interesting, looks like a hanger from above (almost a toggle bolt or something is missing). And for all those wondering the PPI was done by Turks Auto in Taylor, MI (4.9/5.0 on Google) is the one that told me it was "surface rust".

 

[Aracobuilt]

I'd like to add that if you didn't have state safety inspections you could drive it for longer, but unfortunately that is not an option for you. I guess you don't have anything to lose by taking it to a body shop that does rust repairs, but it will more than likely be high.

You might be better off finding a good welding shop and see what they say. IDK if the repairs will pass the inspection. That is another thing to keep in mind.

 

[excessive]

that is repairable, but to do it right its going to cost a small fortune. Just depends on how much you're willing to spend on it.

 

[tplane2]

I’d be having some serious conversations with both the dealer and PPI shop.

Was the dealer a big box or independent?

 

[aging fleet]

I'd quickly look up any applicable customer protection laws in your state with the goal of trying to return this thing.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

If it were me, I might live with it and work to mitigate it from spreading. But, where as you can't even register it, I'd be pursuing returning it, even if it cost me a few hundred in transport or legal fees, to the selling dealer. Hopefully you got documentation in the PPI as to the condition, that would help your case.