Rust in the AU - How bad can it get?

[peterljohnson55]

I am wondering what areas do I have to be concerned about as far as rust goes?

And what sort of costs to repair?

Does anyone have any experience on this matter?

Thanks in advance.

[raa4.0l]

Au's rust in the boot lid and around the boot strut mounts and also the boot floor and can cost a bit to fix.
Can also go in the sills and then you chuck it and get another one lol

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[Dezza]

Rust in the bootlid is common on AUs with dealer fitted spoilers. It seems on XRs, they actually seal it up properly so it doesn't happen. On the other hand, if you get a Forte / Fairmont etc. with a spoiler, half the time they didn't seal it up properly around the screw holes, allowing water to get into the bootlid, hence the rust (like on my AU ). You can also get rust behind the taillights and under the front door rubber seals (in the a-pillar)

[FGII-XR6]

as above but the AU was actually pretty good as far as rust is concerned, another reason they were a great but under appreciated car

[CFOUR]

I've seen 2 go to the junkyard from rust. but I've also seen 1 ba and hundreds of x-series and e-series cars.

[TheInterceptor]

Mine has/had:

Boot door strut mounts (have been rewelded at some point by a previous owner)
Under the seals that run along the roof
Under the seals that run along the windscreen/"A" piller
Infront of the passenger front door at the bottom of the "A" piller (iPhone sized rust that pushed through into a big hole)
Lots of rust under and to the left of the VIN plates and in the same spot on the driver side under the wiper cowling
Bits along the rear of the car
Bits near the strut tops in the engine bay
The battery tray has rust all over it
The bonnet has lots of rust near the latch and on either side of the bonnet spear on the outside.
There is a rust peice in the drivers wheel well on the top of the well
There are some rust spots on the roof
Surface rust appearing on the chassis drivers side front

Dont ever ever buy a Sydney car ever

[jpblue1000]

Any car that has lived around the beach will suffer worse than one that hasn't. Around the top of the windscreen is also a common point, I know 3 that have it and seen 2 at the breakers yards with similar.
My ute has minor rust bubbling from the sill joint. Adelaide car so never been wet!!! but its 16 years old so Im not complaining. My 88 XF had it within 6 months from New!

JP

[Mr Hardware]

Originally Posted by au3xr6

as above but the AU was actually pretty good as far as rust is concerned

SAY WHAAAAT?
I'm just not detecting your sarcasm, right?

AU's are HORRENDOUS for rust. Very few other cars of its age would have as many examples with rust as AU's do.

As I've said before, if you think your AU doesn't have rust, you aren't looking hard enough. There are some exceptions to the rule, but by a huge proportion, the rule is correct.

[davistev]

I suspect a lot more rusty vehicles will show up after all the floods in the Eastern States.

[crdave]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

SAY WHAAAAT?
I'm just not detecting your sarcasm, right?

AU's are HORRENDOUS for rust. Very few other cars of its age would have as many examples with rust as AU's do.

As I've said before, if you think your AU doesn't have rust, you aren't looking hard enough. There are some exceptions to the rule, but by a huge proportion, the rule is correct.

I never actually knew AU'S were bad for rust. We have three of em and not a sign of rust anywhere, but we do live in SA so maybe that makes the difference.

[Cheese3]

I own 2 and no rust . . .

[tim_pato]

4 of the 5 ive owned had it somewhere.

[Maka]

I've had a good look & i cant find any - probably in a spot were i cant see it! My au has never been near a beach & has always been undercover. About the boot mounts rusting, I've read reports that some au's left the factory unpainted, but i don't know if that's true.


cheers, Maka

[1998galaxyforte]

It can get bad :( my whole rear LH passenger door bonnet and boot need replacing .... being next to the sea and ungaraged for 14 years and a bit doesnt help either... but repairs have began

[flooded one]

I've had a rusted boot lid on an AU. all cars rust no matter what model and make it is no car is completely immune too it either.

[SantoAU]

was inspecting my uncles 'lane yesterday (he passed away during the week). There's a little around the rear sills and across the top of the windscreen. not sure how easy it would be to get out, may be beyond my mediocre skills

[SantoAU]

must add that the 'lane has spent most of its life parked on a saltpan. I'm very surprised it has so little

[bigbadwolf1966]

Ford really did do a poor job on some Au1's around the boot hinge pivot area.

the rest of the bodyshell is one of the better vehicles I've ever worked with, but that area around the boot struts and hinge......I cringe at what I've seen on some lately while collecting parts at the wreckers and working on one of my fathers Au sedans.
plenty with a little rocker panel/sill rust, "A" pillars, around tail lights. but over all they are standing up pretty well for their age.
but that boot area stunned me with the first I found,, and I don't stun easy, I grew up with rusty old Valiants.....lol

[frd906]

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11290691 Check this thread out, you guys havent seen any rust like this yet