WNY Rust

[Plati]

Spotted some orange/red drips in the driveway, so I climbed underneath up front and found this just behind the radiator ... an elbow pretty well rusted out, leaking red fluid, transmission fluid in the power steering line? Is this power steering? 2003 Expedition 5.4L

 

[deweysmith]

Yes, that's power steering. My 2012 is starting to rust/leak from there as well.

Mine uses Mercon V for power steering fluid, I'd be surprised if yours was any different.

 

[JExpedition07]

My truck needs new rocker panels, thanks WNY salt.

 

[1955moose]

Fords use mercon or mercon v synthetic in the power steering as well as transmission. You'll need to isolate what broke, or what's leaking. Spray down area with degreaser, and repair problem. Waiting is a safety issue as you will damage steering parts, and possibility of losing power steering if fluid drops too low. As with hydraulic brakes, don't take chances, might not get a second chance, especially if you ride family in vehicle.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[darmahsd]

That happened to mine, up here near Saratoga Springs, NY. If you replace with factory hoses and plan on keeping
for a long time, it'll just happen again. I replaced with 3/8
nickle/copper brake line, used my hydraulic brake flaring tool to make hose barbs and fitted oil resistant braided
hose with crimped SS Oetiker clamps to make transmission hoses to last the life of the truck. Also
made new Ni-Cop brake lines with the hydraulic tool
because brakelines failed. If you're in Western NY,
not a matter of IF, but WHEN your brakes will fail, so do them when you can. If you can't afford a shop to do this, like me, the Mastercool hydraulic brake flaring tool @
between $280 to $400 will more than pay for itself.
Ni-Cop is easy to bend, especially when using
stainless brake shielding coil over the brake line when installing.
Stephen

 

[Plati]

I put all Cupronickel lines to rear brakes couple years ago, you're right - time to look at replacing all of them preemptively.

Sorry to deviate from topic DarmahSD but you are close to Black Mountain, if you ever get a chance go up there pretty cool place. I rode my snowmobile to top a few years ago. You can ride down to Lake George and take your chances on that too! Tongue Mtn!

 

[Plati]

Replaced the high pressure power steering line ... my favorite shop did it not me
Might not do much but I'm going to try to put some protectant on some rust prone lines

 

[rjdelp7]

Schmidts Ruststop on Broadway/Transit. Have the undercarraige sprayed. It is the thickest oil based treatment and does not drip. Lenny, does an excellent job and puts it on heavy. It is good for a couple of years or more. $75.

 

[Plati]

Latest chapter in WNY rust ... 03 XLT ... this rusted out today & it sounded GREAT. I think it had more HP and ran faster! Even without premium gas. Need to get better bolts and line it up right before I tighten it down. No cost repair, ya gotta be able to turn a wrench on a 2003 Expy in WNY. My gut just barely fit sliding under the truck on my back to wrench it. I feel fortunate I can still get that done!

 

[darmahsd]

I'm waiting. My pipe's ready to go. Bolts are eroded down to nothing. I'll replace with stainless bolts. Good luck with rust issues. POR 15 rocks!
Sorry to responding late to your Black Mountain photo,
MrSticker, I'm up by Bolton Landing & Schroon Lake
all the time. I can appreciate that photo. Thanks for
posting.
Stephen

 

[Plati]

So you know this view ....

 

[JExpedition07]

I’m starting to hear an exhaust leak under mine passenger side toward the rear..... muffler?

 

[Plati]

2003 XLT. Poked at my "rocker panels" a bit, this fell down. Can see all the way through to underside of Expy now. Wheel wells don't look much better. Need to understand how to prevent this in my 2014. It doesn't rust from the outside, rusts from inside. And they put big holes on inside to collect water & salt brine? And the paint on inside of "rocker panel" is not real impressive!!




Change my name to MrRust?

 

[JExpedition07]

My outer rockers aren’t doing well but my inners seem fine. I spray them with fluid film but I do have two brand new rockers for the truck sitting in my garage when I’m ready. I try not to poke around for rust on vehicles as it just gets you upset for no reason and it’s not really helping anything....

 

[JExpedition07]

2003 XLT. Poked at my "rocker panels" a bit, this fell down. Can see all the way through to underside of Expy now. Wheel wells don't look much better. Need to understand how to prevent this in my 2014. It doesn't rust from the outside, rusts from inside. And they put big holes on inside to collect water & salt brine? And the paint on inside of "rocker panel" is not real impressive!!
View attachment 24761
View attachment 24762
View attachment 24763

Change my name to MrRust?

My wheel well was starting to bubble in that area and I promptly had my body shop cut out all that steel and weld in new, looks good now $600 well spent. I’d say take it to krown or spray it with fluid film. I use fluid film on mine.

 

[Plati]

My wheel well was starting to bubble in that area and I promptly had my body shop cut out all that steel and weld in new, looks good now $600 well spent. I’d say take it to krown or spray it with fluid film. I use fluid film on mine.

How long has Fluid Film been used on your Expy? Do you spray it inside those big holes on inside of rockers? Reason I ask is because if you have sprayed well since new ... and still rusts?

I wonder if theres even any paint inside rockers? Thats where my rust built from (the inside). With those big holes collecting road brine and it just sits in there ... fugly situation.

 

[Big Brian]

I just gambled with this product from Eastwood. Received it yesterday. Will try it soon as I can

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-internal-frame-coating-14oz-aerosol.html

I am just starting to see some small bubbling in my paint in the underside of the rocker panels. I am going to try this stuff in the hopes of prolonging the inevitable for as long as I can. It will make me feel better that I tried something if nothing else I guess.

Who knows if it will work or not. I have had good luck with Eastwood products in the past

 

[JExpedition07]

No I started the fluid film after I noticed bubbling paint on my rockers, so it’s only been used to slow down the rust. That’s the issue.... these rocker panels aren’t designed all that well, they have those large holes behind them through the inners. There are also little ribs on the inner rocker that go up and down, then the new set has little tabs where it welds to the inner at the bottom of those ribs. This forms open drains when welded on but they are so small dirt and salt enter into those holes and clogs the drains. Then that moisture wants to find a way out and eats until it can drain through a nice hole in the outer panel. You are correct I think those holes cause lots of issues.

 

[Plati]

During my "under Expy" inspection a month ago, I could see white salt deposits in many places even though I thought I sprayed pretty well with the hose earlier. Its 80 degrees here today so I bit the bullet, and got underneath the 2014 Expy with the hose and sprayed all those nooks and crannies. I even pounded water in those big holes in the rocker panels. Lots of crud came out!! It was a freeakin mess, glad I had safety goggles on and earplugs in. Made sure I didnt overspray into engine compartment. I wont drive it for a couple days to allow it to dry out.

Next step gotta be some kind of "coating". People have recommended Krown ... so I decided I would consider driving all the way to Buffalo area to get Krown done. I looked on the internet and there is one within a mile of my house. Nice. I'm gonna give it a shot. Looks like it costs $149. Hope to do that next week.

 

[John Christopher]

My truck needs new rocker panels, thanks WNY salt.

I had to replace the passenger rocker 3 years ago. How is your radiator core support? They rot pretty bad. Mine is rusted but truck runs without a problem. A guy had a video where he welded three brackets under the support and it worked. It's been over 2 years and still going strong