Thread: Sidesteps and rust

Originally Posted by SuperMono

Recently I replaced my D3 with a 2010 D4 which in itself is a good thing.
The D4 came with sidesteps which I wouldn't fit if starting from scratch or ordering new, but that's the joy of secondhand.
I don't know if the steps are factory or aftermarket.

Today I started to replace the sidesteps with the GOE sill protectors from the D3. I knew the steps were likely to have been storing dust, sand, water and mud, so probably some minor rust.
Wasn't hard to remove one of the steps, the frames were rusted through and just pulled off. The other the bolts holding the steps to the mounting brackets were well and truly rusted, nearing failure.
Under the mounting brackets (3 each step) the rust has lifted the paint and eaten through the coating on the body. Earaly enough to pull up with rust converter and paint, but another 6-12 months I think there would have been full penetrative rust meaning significant panel repairs would be required.

So my advice, have a really good look underneath your steps if you have them.

Worth noting that I can't find any other sign of rust on the car, only around the step mounting brackets and where the steps were allowing mud to collect.

When I removed the GOE protectors from the D3 there was no sign they had even been there, no build up despite plenty of time deep in Victorian mud.

Thanks for the tip, I'm sure I have plenty of crap under mine. Sand & Bulldust from the Simpson area, Mud from heaps of trips and beach sand too.
On the "To Do" list.

Originally Posted by SuperMono

Recently I replaced my D3 with a 2010 D4 which in itself is a good thing.
The D4 came with sidesteps which I wouldn't fit if starting from scratch or ordering new, but that's the joy of secondhand.
I don't know if the steps are factory or aftermarket.

Today I started to replace the sidesteps with the GOE sill protectors from the D3. I knew the steps were likely to have been storing dust, sand, water and mud, so probably some minor rust.
Wasn't hard to remove one of the steps, the frames were rusted through and just pulled off. The other the bolts holding the steps to the mounting brackets were well and truly rusted, nearing failure.
Under the mounting brackets (3 each step) the rust has lifted the paint and eaten through the coating on the body. Early enough to pull up with rust converter and paint, but another 6-12 months I think there would have been full penetrative rust meaning significant panel repairs would be required.

So my advice, have a really good look underneath your steps if you have them.

Worth noting that I can't find any other sign of rust on the car, only around the step mounting brackets and where the steps were allowing mud to collect.

When I removed the GOE protectors from the D3 there was no sign they had even been there, no build up despite plenty of time deep in Victorian mud.

Hi mate.
Do the sidesteps you removed look like these?


If so they are OEM. Mine came with them from new, though mine was a demonstrator so I did not specify them. If so I'd better keep an eye on them for rust etc.

Cheers,
Chris