Rear corss member rust

[patclan]

Hi all,
I am sure I am not the only one to suffer this, but I have rust on my 2009 defender rear cross member, it is just surface rust I think, and it only appeared in the last month or two.

What would be the best way to get rid of it? What have others done to prevent it again in the future? I am out of warranty, but it may be covered under the paint warranty but I doubt it, last time I tried to claim for the rust on my tow bar that they (dealer) installed I got a bit of paper quoting the warranty conditions and telling me to take more care of it!!

thanks
Pat

[Reads90]

They all do this

If you we're in Europe you would have had new one put on by now

They are a replacement part

The best thing to do is a rub down and respray with black rust proof paint in a satin finish.

Repeat this when needed. Used to do mine every year in the Uk but could only need to do it every 5 years in Aus

[FFR]

Hi all,
I am sure I am not the only one to suffer this, but I have rust on my 2009 defender rear cross member, it is just surface rust I think, and it only appeared in the last month or two.

What would be the best way to get rid of it? What have others done to prevent it again in the future? I am out of warranty, but it may be covered under the paint warranty but I doubt it, last time I tried to claim for the rust on my tow bar that they (dealer) installed I got a bit of paper quoting the warranty conditions and telling me to take more care of it!!

thanks
Pat

Hi,

If there is some paint warranty left in the vehicle, then go to the dealer and give them the good news, as they will be charging LRAUS for the job. The concerning bit is in the internal side of the rear crossmember (the side facing the fuel tank, as well as the internal walls of the thing).

Mine has no external rust at all (1989 chassis) but it is developing some internal surface rust, so I bought a motorbike jack to remove the tank and fix the area.

BTW, your dealer will be not very responsive (don't want to use wrong language here) to claims against their own job (tow bar) as they are solely responsible for it, but when they can happily charge someone else (LRAUS) then they use to be cooperative. I only have experience with Spanish dealers, but this rule use to be valid around the globe.



Be prepared to report them to fair trade, just in case they deserve it. It is a shame that a car manufactured in 2009 can not withstand the mild AUS weather without rusting. The price tag should be as cheap as their quality... and I was blaming the Chinese cars !

[greenhornet]

Hi
As 'Reads90' said they all do this.
I rubbed back and resprayed.
Cheers

[FFR]

Hi
As 'Reads90' said they all do this.


This is a good point for a warranty claim, seeing that everybody has the same problem with that chassis. They must have changed something important in the production process, as I have never seen something so obvious in a five years old defender. Check the front side also, sprayed by the rear wheels.

BTW, your receiver hitch is really nice... brand and model ???

Thank you

[greenhornet]

It is a Hayman Reese.... fitted by Opposite Lock :)

[FFR]

It is a Hayman Reese.... fitted by Opposite Lock :)


Thank you !

[patclan]

It is a Hayman Reese.... fitted by Opposite Lock :)

I have the Haymon Reese one also and the paint flaked off it, that the bit the dealer would not do, but I will take it down to them to have a look at the cross member, you never know they may come to the party.

Thank you all for your input, if they don't do it then looks like a nice easy job for a Sunday afternoon!!

[jddisco200tdi]

I have had the rear cross member repainted by land rover (they sub it out) under warranty.

Regards

John D - Defender 110 2.4

[BilboBoggles]

I've had the rear crossmember painted on each of the 3 new defenders I have bought. The first one was painted under warranty when I'd had it 4 years. It was a my03 td5 and was rusted worse than your photo. Now I just get them done at the first service. You'll notice the paint oxidized after about 2 weeks from new.

[BilboBoggles]

If you look on eBay at the defenders for sale you can see who gets there's fixed and those who do not. I believe the paint they used when they changed chassis manufacturer in about 2000, cannot cope with Aussie sun.

[patclan]

">A bit late in replying to this, but I had it in for the clutch in July and got them to look at it, they sent pictures to LR Australia and they said no to a warranty claim.

I figured I would give it one more go and just emailed LRA some photos of the cross member which once cleaned looks like unpainted steel at the moment and asked to please explain what magical disappearing paint they use these days ( well not quite so sarcastically) .

I guess I will probably paint it in the next few weeks once LR have said no again..

It has faded more since my last post ( obviously I guess)

cheers
Pat

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