Rust Problems on rear hatch and rockers
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Rust Problems on rear hatch and rockers (with pics!)
First off, hi everyone, this is my first post on mbworld... I usually am on Audiworld or on VWvortex
I have a 2003 ML 500 with 88k miles and recently rust has been forming in strange places. First there are bubbling patches on the top of the rocker panels, sort of on the door sill/jam area where the plastic skirts fit over the steel doorjam.
THere is also rust on the rear hatch along the inside of the top edge because the hatch has been rubbing on the weather stripping that runs along the top (its attached to the roof). Im guessing that the stripping is out of alignment (too high) and this is causing the rubbing. Also there is just the smallest hint of rust on under the chrome strip that covers the rear hatch release handle.
Has anyone had similar problems, especially with the rear hatch weather stripping? Mercedes claims to have never seen nor heard of any other MLs with rust in these spaces and has agreed to pay half of the repair costs, but I would still like to get as much info on the problem as I can.
Thanks!
Jon
I have a 2003 ML 500 with 88k miles and recently rust has been forming in strange places. First there are bubbling patches on the top of the rocker panels, sort of on the door sill/jam area where the plastic skirts fit over the steel doorjam.
THere is also rust on the rear hatch along the inside of the top edge because the hatch has been rubbing on the weather stripping that runs along the top (its attached to the roof). Im guessing that the stripping is out of alignment (too high) and this is causing the rubbing. Also there is just the smallest hint of rust on under the chrome strip that covers the rear hatch release handle.
Has anyone had similar problems, especially with the rear hatch weather stripping? Mercedes claims to have never seen nor heard of any other MLs with rust in these spaces and has agreed to pay half of the repair costs, but I would still like to get as much info on the problem as I can.
Thanks!
Jon
Last edited by lookaught; Oct 20, 2005 at 02:37 PM. Reason: pics!
Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by sosh
Never had any on either my 98 or the 02 I just traded. Could it be possible that your ML had been hit and improperly refinished??
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
Originally Posted by lookaught
No its never had any paint work whatsoever. I believe the rocker rust is forming b/c the plastic skirts are rubbing through the paint. The rear hatch is a mystery to me...
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From: Toronto Ontario Canada
98 ml 320, MGB GT V8 (FACTORY)RHD
My 1998 ML320 is rust free, but it was a original west coast car. I just sold my 1999 C43 which had the same problems as your ML, It had rust on the drivers door where the molding touches the paint. Around the sunroof, plus six or seven other spots. The odd thing is that underneath the car was perfect not a touch of rust, but this car had spent most of its life back east (Toronto) Mercedes would do nothing for me ( The car was a 1999 so I did not expect much)
Best of luck,
Mike.
Best of luck,
Mike.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Vacouver BC
02 W163
what you can do for now is get WD 40 rub some of the rust off then put some clear coat on it....that would help protect the rust from spreading..
i think i have some rust problems too, but i never really check.
In vancouver we had WAY TO MANY SALT ON THE ROAD
i think i have some rust problems too, but i never really check.
In vancouver we had WAY TO MANY SALT ON THE ROAD
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WD40 on paint... are you thick? appropriate way to take care of the situation is to sand away the trouble areas, clean with mineral spirits... prime then paint... in a week or so cover the area with a wax... LOTS OF IT
Out Of Control!!
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
NO GLUE REMOVER!!! STOP WITH THE CHEMICALS!!! WOW are you really that thick? you're going to put stuff that DESTROYS paint on the car, no paint will speed up the rusting process... Give your car a propper detail
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
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From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
STi_JL please stop.....youre giving Pete chest pains!
