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Car Forum / Dodge / Dodge Trucks / June 2007

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07 Dakota - Rust on components???

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Lars Thorwald - 31 May 2007 01:23 GMT
Hey all,

I just purchased a 07 Dakota Quad Cab and Im thrilled with the truck.
Unfortunately, I had a flat tire today and while I was lowering the spare, I
noticed that the drive shaft was literally covered in rust, not just
speckled, but COVERED in rust.  I also noticed a few other components that I
couldnt identify to have the same condition.  This cant possibly be normal
for a brand new truck can it?  Im going to take it to the dealer tomorrow,
but maybe some of you Dodge fans can aleviate some of my fears....am I right
to be concerned, or is this just a "Dodge thing"?

Thanks!

Steve
Tom Lawrence - 31 May 2007 04:47 GMT
> but maybe some of you Dodge fans can aleviate some of my fears....am I
> right to be concerned, or is this just a "Dodge thing"?

It's normal.  Here's a picture from my truck, maybe 6 months old:

http://home.earthlink.net/~tlawren349/at/hangers.JPG
SnoMan - 31 May 2007 12:45 GMT
>> but maybe some of you Dodge fans can aleviate some of my fears....am I
>> right to be concerned, or is this just a "Dodge thing"?
>
>It's normal.  Here's a picture from my truck, maybe 6 months old:
>
>http://home.earthlink.net/~tlawren349/at/hangers.JPG

Yes, you can see this on all brands with a steel alloy driveshaft. The
alloy used in them is very prone to surface rust. It is actually rare
to find one that is not.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
Lars Thorwald - 31 May 2007 12:48 GMT
So will this rust contribute to component failure sooner than normal?  Im
assuming its a coating or something on the driveshaft thats rusting and not
the actual driveshaft?

>>> but maybe some of you Dodge fans can aleviate some of my fears....am I
>>> right to be concerned, or is this just a "Dodge thing"?
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> -----------------
> TheSnoMan.com
SnoMan - 01 Jun 2007 13:13 GMT
>So will this rust contribute to component failure sooner than normal?  Im
>assuming its a coating or something on the driveshaft thats rusting and not
>the actual driveshaft?

As the rust layer becomes more established, the formation of new rust
slows down. I have only seen a few drive shafts actually fail from
rust but this was on some very old dump trucks that had very high
drive shaft loading and that could twist off a new drive shaft too
sometimes. In you application, the rest of vehicle will rust away long
before the driveshaft rust becomes a issue that weakens it to point of
failure. It kinda looks worse than it is. You could spray some rust
converter on it if it really bothers you as it will stop it and from a
black coating from it that resists further rust.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
Denny - 01 Jun 2007 22:25 GMT
>>So will this rust contribute to component failure sooner than normal?  Im
>>assuming its a coating or something on the driveshaft thats rusting and
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> -----------------
> TheSnoMan.com

I wonder if spraying something on the driveshaft may cause a balance
problem. I don't think I would do that if it were mine.

Denny
SnoMan - 01 Jun 2007 22:42 GMT
>I wonder if spraying something on the driveshaft may cause a balance
>problem. I don't think I would do that if it were mine.

Not really. Drive shafts are not balance that close from factory
anyway and I have not seen a drive shaft yet from any brand truck that
could not be rebalnace better at a drive shaft shop even when they
were new. The deeprer you axle ratio is relatiive to tire size maakes
balance a bit more important as it increase average RPM of drive
shaft.  It takes time to get them dead on and Detriot does not have
time for this on assembly line. Spraying it will have a negligable
impact on the balance of it.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
Nosey - 01 Jun 2007 23:07 GMT
> I wonder if spraying something on the driveshaft may cause a balance
> problem. I don't think I would do that if it were mine.
>
> Denny

Someone mechanically inclined might be able to figure out how balance a
drive shaft with a couple of jack stands, two hose clamps, and a piece of
chalk. Not that I'm suggesting anyone should go under a running vehicle in
gear on jack stands with a piece of chalk to mark the heavy side of the
spinning shaft, then put the hose clamps on the shaft with the worm gear on
the opposite side of the chalk mark, or anything dangerous like that. But it
works. Not that I'd do anything like that myself. Nope, not me. ;^)
Signature

Ken

Lars Thorwald - 31 May 2007 12:47 GMT
Thanks for posting that pic.  Its exactly the same thing I have going on.
:-)

>> but maybe some of you Dodge fans can aleviate some of my fears....am I
>> right to be concerned, or is this just a "Dodge thing"?
>
> It's normal.  Here's a picture from my truck, maybe 6 months old:
>
> http://home.earthlink.net/~tlawren349/at/hangers.JPG
Steve Lusardi - 31 May 2007 18:27 GMT
All,
Yes, it is rust and Dodge is not the only manufacturer that does not
completely protect the underside components. I bought a new Corvette that
was the same way. When I picked up my RAM, I immediately put the truck on
jack stands, removed all the wheels and spent 3 days under the truck priming
and painting everything that was unprotected. This also included the removal
of drive shafts, transfer case and gearbox. It took about 30 hours of labor,
but remember that you can only do this practically when it is brand new.
Steve

> Hey all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Steve
Roy - 31 May 2007 19:16 GMT
> All,
> Yes, it is rust and Dodge is not the only manufacturer that does not
> completely protect the underside components. I bought a new Corvette that
> was the same way.

Odd my Z06 was mostly alloy and aluminum underneath.
BigIronRam - 31 May 2007 20:11 GMT
>> All,
>> Yes, it is rust and Dodge is not the only manufacturer that does not
>> completely protect the underside components. I bought a new Corvette that
>> was the same way.
>
> Odd my Z06 was mostly alloy and aluminum underneath.

As I recall, Ford was the pretty much to first to stop painting or
protecting components this way circa 1978.  He might be talking about an
older Vette?
Roy - 31 May 2007 23:03 GMT
>>> All,
>>> Yes, it is rust and Dodge is not the only manufacturer that does not
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> protecting components this way circa 1978.  He might be talking about an
> older Vette?
Gotta be, a few of the earlier one's (63-67 )were real tough when it came to
frame rot.
jmc - 01 Jun 2007 09:10 GMT
Suddenly, without warning, BigIronRam exclaimed (01-Jun-07 4:41 AM):
>>> All,
>>> Yes, it is rust and Dodge is not the only manufacturer that does not
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> protecting components this way circa 1978.  He might be talking about an
> older Vette?

Maybe not.  My 1991 Mitsubishi Pickup had underbody protection.

jmc
Lars Thorwald - 01 Jun 2007 01:00 GMT
Thanks much... I guess I wont worry about it too much.  Coming from a Ford
family and owning them myself, I guess I have to get used to the quirks of a
different manufacturer. ;-)

Steve

> All,
> Yes, it is rust and Dodge is not the only manufacturer that does not
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>>
>> Steve
Steve Lusardi - 01 Jun 2007 19:09 GMT
My "new" vette was a '78.
Steve

> Hey all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Steve
E Frank Ball III - 01 Jun 2007 20:27 GMT
> Hey all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> but maybe some of you Dodge fans can aleviate some of my fears....am I right
> to be concerned, or is this just a "Dodge thing"?

Yes it is normal for a Dodge.  My '95 Dakota was delivered that way.
Rusty leaf springs and other parts.  It looks better now than it did
then, the dirt hides the rust.

Signature

  E Frank Ball  frankb@sonic.net

 
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