[GoldRidgeline10]

Hopefully i'm the only person with this issue, but i have significant rust on my control arms (I think that what they are called). I will get a photo of it put up in a few hours so people can see what i'm talking about. This is on a 2010 ridgeline with 17,000 miles. Should i get these parts replaced? I never thought Rust would be a good thing to have on a truck. Anyone else have this issue?

I discovered this yesterday when rotating my tires.

 

[speedlever]

Snohomish County... correct me if I'm wrong, but I'll bet you see plenty of snow there. And salt? Rust on the suspension and components would be expected. Post up those pics to clarify.

Shucks, I found rust on my seat frame.

 

[chiph]

The seat frame flash rust is to be expected - those parts aren't painted or protected from corrosion in any way.

When I was shopping for RLs, I looked at a black RTS that had really nice paint. But looking underneath revealed lots of rust. Turns out it was a trade-in from a Michigan transplant.

Chip H.

 

[speedlever]

I know. But I was surprised initially to find it. Also found it on our Pilot too. Unless the OP has something really unusual, I don't think frame/suspension component rust is anything to be concerned about and is to be expected.

I still need to take my RL in for the door rust issue where I see very slight amounts in the same places that cdepuydt found his.

 

[Landscape Doctor]

Snohomish County... correct me if I'm wrong, but I'll bet you see plenty of snow there. And salt? Rust on the suspension and components would be expected. Post up those pics to clarify.

Shucks, I found rust on my seat frame.

HOLLY COW BATMAN Have you been washing the interior with a garden hose? I will have to check mine tomorrow. The bolts that hold the hindges to the doors on mine are rusted. The undercarrage for the most part is rust free except for some bolts here and there.

 

[GoldRidgeline10]

Alright, heres a picture of the issue. I just bought this truck certified used from my honda dealer. Car fax said the truck was originally registered in Texas. The pic is looking underneath the truck towards the wheel.

 

[speedlever]

I don't see anything out of sorts there. Hard to know the history. Just because it came from TX doesn't mean it hasn't been driven in the snow belt.

Here's a pic of my rear diff area about 7 months after I bought mine off the lot, brand new.

But I don't believe I have any rust on the control arms like your pics show.

 

[ChrisM]

The underside rust in both of your pictures is normal. I have it on both of my Ridgelines. The seat thing is weird though. Neither of my trucks has it but I'm pretty sure that my seat frames are galvanized or painted.

 

[GoldRidgeline10]

it doesn't seem like rust should be normal. Did you show your honda dealer? I'm curious is maybe these parts were suppose to be coated with some kind of anti-corrosive. My civic doesn't have this issue.

 

[laserguy]

That rust is normal, I have seen a bit of that kind in mine too.

 

[feetdry]

'Looks just like the rust found on all our guard rails here in WA state, The state found that a coating of surface rust was better than trying to prevent rust with various coatings. It looks normal with my 08 RL that travels the 3 NW states here. 'Pretty much surface rust.

 

[oarnold]

I don't see anything out of sorts there. Hard to know the history. Just because it came from TX doesn't mean it hasn't been driven in the snow belt.

Here's a pic of my rear diff area about 7 months after I bought mine off the lot, brand new.

But I don't believe I have any rust on the control arms like your pics show.

This axle stub is not painted at the factory. I asked Gary Flint about it at the 2008 meet (they are even rusty on the cut-away RL) and he said he didn't know why they were not spec'd to be painted, He thought the rust was of no significance.

The control arms? I've had quite a bit and have repainted using black engine paint. I've thought of posting, but haven't had time. Maybe later.

 

[MAK3NRidge]

Yes, that's normal...I live in TX and have had mine since new in 2006.

 

[Jack]

Looks exactly like my 2008 with 62k, normal and not to worry.

 

[StayPuff]

You'll find a lot of vehicles with the same. It's a solid chunk of metal. Your concern is that you 'see rust' but the truth is it's probably better to have the steel uncoated and dry quickly than a coating that will create isolated pockets of moisture and create pitting. It will outlast the truck period.

For any other areas of concern try these products:

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-anti-rust-aerosol-with-ext-nozzle-black.html
http://www.eastwood.com/ew-anti-rust-aerosol-with-ext-nozzle-amber.html

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/amh.aspx

I've used both the MPHD and the eastwood 'amber'. It appears that MPHD is the better buy: Eastwood's can is 16.99!!! holy cow . If you don't care of the looks but just want the protection use the amber. Eastwood's black is a new product that offers some aesthetic appeal over the amber. On a white truck the amber will eventually look pretty scummy but if it's the under side than I don't care as long as it's not rusting.

Rubberized undercoating is a waste, I find the aerosol frequently bubbles leaving voids or will flake off. To do it right requires multiple thin coats. and it's hard to get off. The amsoil or eastwood is like a wax and can be removed with a solvent or scraped easily. It goes on like wd-40 and penetrates so I just hose things down.

 

[MikeT]

The underside rust in both of your pictures is normal. I have it on both of my Ridgelines. The seat thing is weird though. Neither of my trucks has it but I'm pretty sure that my seat frames are galvanized or painted.

Go look again at the seat frames Chris, I recently had the drivers lower seat frame replaced and the old one looked like that (With rust) and the new one (From Honda) looked the same as well. I had the shop strip it and paint it to prevent future rusting.

 

[shawn82]

I was checking out my suspenion / CV joints this weekend and noticed the same, not as bad as yours but showing signs. Also depends on your Geographical location, Ocean side states you will see more than someone say in the midwest areas.

 

[koolguyccimport]

the rust in the pic of towards the wheel is normal. thats the back of the hub. the pic of the rear diff, the rusty part is the axle. thats normal too. alot of the parts under the vehicle is just bare metal so a little water(rain),heat and condensation will form rust no matter where on earth you live. unless you garage your truck in a temp controlled room and never drive it.... im from michigan and i've seem alot worse. mine is worst than your guys.

 

[dutchofsc]

Any car will get surface rust on bare metal parts, that's normal. Nothing to worry about.