Rust

[mfp4073]

I have just been reading about some horror stories on the Dodge Challenger forums.
It appears that Dodge Challengers and Chargers have foam injected into their rocker panels(Sill's) at the factory. Guess what, this traps moisture, mud and salt. They are now rusting out quite badly after 5yrs or so.
There is also a suggestion that the new Camero also has foam injected into this area?
I'm not brand loyal, as I really like all muscle cars, but to think cars are being built with these problems in this day and age is unforgivable.
I take it that Monaro's and VXR8's do not have this problem?

Edited by mfp4073 on Sunday 19th February 19:42

Edited by mfp4073 on Sunday 19th February 19:43

[mfp4073]

Yikes...

[mfp4073]

Well no foam filled cavities is good to know.
I will be using some Dynax cavity spray on my car this year anyway, So if I find anything nasty I will update the forum.
Mind you, I cant help but feel sorry for the Challenger/Charger owners who have found major rust in their pride and joy already! what a bummer!

[mfp4073]

I had my brake pipes checked by MF just before Christmas and they seemed to be OK. However, I am tempted to have them replaced with copper items just to be on the safe side. My car was built in December 04, that was a long time ago.....still the rest of the underside looked to be in good condition.
Any idea of the cost and amount of time it would take to replace the brake pipes?

[mfp4073]

vxr2010 said:

not cheap as to do it with solid lines the rear subframe needs to come off , i maybe wrong i think i read somewhere on here that some one used flexible lines so subframe could be left on , i've also considered it on my 04 monaro , the place that gives you the best idea of how good or bad the lines are is in the ducting on the underside of the car slightly behind the drivers seat area , it gets full of dirt and the rubber grommets used to seperate the pipes does not look like it helps

I have looked at that area before, but I couldn't figure out how to remove the cover!
Once the spring is here I will have another go. I have a spare can of Dynax rust proofer for that job.

[mfp4073]

MedwayMonaro said:

Easy enough. Remove plastic securing nuts along each side. These will likely not be reusable. Undo bolts at front carefully as they are prone to snapping due to corrosion. Treat as a rusted bolt you wont go far wrong. There are 2 tabs that fold up into the other side of those rubber bungs. They are fiddly but can be pushed open to remove.

OK, thanks for that I will have a look at that before my car goes back on the road. I have to admit I'm a little worried as to what I might Find.....actually, make that.....terrified as to what's hidden in there!!!!!!!

[mfp4073]

ringram said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence

a policy of planning or designing a product with an artificially limited useful life, so it will become obsolete (that is, unfashionable or no longer functional) after a certain period of time.[1] The rationale behind the strategy is to generate long-term sales volume by reducing the time between repeat purchases

That is rather depressing...and I think counter productive for car makers to do that.
You would think a manufacturer would want a solid build quality reputation.
But what do I know?