Where does the rust start?
dj1111
11-09-2010, 08:50 PM
Where does the typical rocker panel rust start? I have a chance at purchasing a 2005 rust free Venture. Where does it start? Where are the week spots? Can I have someone rustproof it if I purchase it?
merc81
11-10-2010, 07:15 AM
I wish I could find a decent 2005 for reasonable $$.
This summer, I tackled the rocker panel problem on my 99 silo. The problem appeared to be caused by two weak design flaws.
The back of the panel, right at the rear wheel is subject to debris build up of junk thrown from the tire. They use plastic wheel well covers in the front, but only steel in the back--water can get right into the rocker panel there. There were no weep holes in the body and the water and gunk got into my panel and just laid in there.
I had major rust at the rear most portion of the rocker panel and it affected the brace that holds the rear wheel bracket from spinning--the bracket just in front of the wheel. Both sides were involved in the rust, and the floor pan just under the sliding door edge had rust in it.
It appears to me that all this damage was caused because the water and road debris had no way to drain down out of the rocker panels.
Also, in the front wheel well, there is an open hole in the rocker panel where it meets the wheel well. The rotating tire will force water up into this area, and again, poor design just leads that water into the rocker panel where it runs to the back and lays.
Pull off the front wheel well cover--it just uses a few screws and plastic push pins--and clean out that area between the front doors and the wheel well. Mine was just packed with gunk. Maybe drill some good size drain holes into the panels from below and shoot some por15 paint up into there as well.
I used por15 paint over all the areas and installed replacement steel panels.
This summer, I tackled the rocker panel problem on my 99 silo. The problem appeared to be caused by two weak design flaws.
The back of the panel, right at the rear wheel is subject to debris build up of junk thrown from the tire. They use plastic wheel well covers in the front, but only steel in the back--water can get right into the rocker panel there. There were no weep holes in the body and the water and gunk got into my panel and just laid in there.
I had major rust at the rear most portion of the rocker panel and it affected the brace that holds the rear wheel bracket from spinning--the bracket just in front of the wheel. Both sides were involved in the rust, and the floor pan just under the sliding door edge had rust in it.
It appears to me that all this damage was caused because the water and road debris had no way to drain down out of the rocker panels.
Also, in the front wheel well, there is an open hole in the rocker panel where it meets the wheel well. The rotating tire will force water up into this area, and again, poor design just leads that water into the rocker panel where it runs to the back and lays.
Pull off the front wheel well cover--it just uses a few screws and plastic push pins--and clean out that area between the front doors and the wheel well. Mine was just packed with gunk. Maybe drill some good size drain holes into the panels from below and shoot some por15 paint up into there as well.
I used por15 paint over all the areas and installed replacement steel panels.
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