Rusty Axle

[Petrograde]

While I was painting my rear brake calipers (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8345) I was shocked to see the condition of my rear axle. It's totally rusted! No rust scales yet, but I'm sure they're coming unless I do something about it.

I'm sure this is common for our cars. Has anyone addressed this issue?

Thanks!

Tom

[CRUZTAKER]

Dammmmmn Tom,

I drove mine in the salt last year and I have zero rust on my axle. That is too wierd.:eek:

[TripleTransAm]

I noticed the same on mine, and I believe I commented on that in a thread sometime early last year. My car was a showroom girl from day one, and my test drive was her 'deflowering', based on the ultra low mileage. And while I did manage to put about 50 miles on her on the first drive home on salty (yet very dry) roads, there was an immediate snowstorm the next day that put her off the road for about a week (roads became very wet and salty).

During that little siesta, I noticed how rusty the axle looked. Worse, I also noticed how awful the little things like exhaust tip hangers looked. I fear that I shall one day leave a Megs tip firmly impaled in a trailing ricer's grille after a hard wintery launch. :(

[Petrograde]

Dammmmmn Tom,

I drove mine in the salt last year and I have zero rust on my axle. That is too wierd.:eek:

Really?! Oh crap... I figured this was 'normal' for our cars. :rolleyes:

great.... :depress:

Tom

[Petrograde]

anyone know what the hell is leaking onto my axle?!

(don't say fuel,don't say fuel,don't say fuel,)

Tom

[TAF]

It is normal, and I've seen it on about a dozen Marauders with their wheels removed (mostly rears). I had to do the axel TSB due to leakage...when the new ones were put in...BADMK8 put a little axel grease on the new ends to keep it from happening again.

Send him a PM...and ask him.

[FordNut]

anyone know what the hell is leaking onto my axle?!

(don't say fuel,don't say fuel,don't say fuel,)

Tom

That looks like the general area of the overflow. I don't recall if you've got 4.10s or not, but if so maybe they overfilled it a little when the gears were installed.

As for the rust, it's strange that mine has minimal rust but it has been driven in salted slushy roads. But my wife's has never been in those conditions and it has much more surface rust than mine.

Edit: Time to pull the rear end out for powdercoating!!! I guess epoxy paint would work too.

[Petrograde]

So,.. it's the axle that's leaking? I'm running stock gears, I haven't messed with anything back there. Today was the first time I've ever had the wheels off.

I guess I should take her get this TSB done then.

As far as the rust goes,.... I bought her in June in TN. then moved to TX. My MM has not seen any salt what-so-ever.

Thanks guys!

Tom

[FordNut]

The leaks associated with the TSB are normally at the ends of the axles at the bearings. The minor leakage from the overflow is probably not anything to worry about.

[Petrograde]

The leaks associated with the TSB are normally at the ends of the axles at the bearings. The minor leakage from the overflow is probably not anything to worry about.

ahhhh,.... ok. Thanks man!

Tom

[bugsys03]

there's nothing wrong with your axle. its just a little overflow from a vent in the axle housing. nothing to worry about:)

[CRUZTAKER]

Well I had to go out and crawl under to look again. I guess I do have some rust coverage. But it's only on the outside edges of the axles. No overflow leaks.

[Thomas C Potter]

I'm in the habit of getting a 1" paint brush and a cup of oil, and in the fall, coat the rear and other areas. Mine was surface rusty brand new. Some of you may remember when shops in New England offered 'undercarriage oiling' in the fall.

TP in VA

[RCSignals]

As for rust on the axle, it's been years since manufactures actually painted them. It's not unique to the Marauder.

[martyo]

Has anyone thought about purchasing a larger quantity of the two part epoxy-type paint used on the brake calipers, mixing it in smaller batches, and painting a lot of the parts under the car that get that annoying rust on them?

I was thinking about spending the time doing this on my car, but need an ability to mix more paint in smaller batches so that I don't use a $40.00 kit everytime I work on a section of the car.

Hmmmm.....maybe Eastwood offers a paint product that can be mixed in batches. Where is that catalogue??? I'll be right back....

[Petrograde]

Has anyone thought about purchasing a larger quantity of the two part epoxy-type paint used on the brake calipers, mixing it in smaller batches, and painting a lot of the parts under the car that get that annoying rust on them?

I was thinking about spending the time doing this on my car, but need an ability to mix more paint in smaller batches so that I don't use a $40.00 kit everytime I work on a section of the car.

Hmmmm.....maybe Eastwood offers a paint product that can be mixed in batches. Where is that catalogue??? I'll be right back....

Exactly was I was thinking Marty. If they had a gallon size, we'd be good to go.

I was browsing the Eastwood catalog last night I didn't see any bigger sizes, but it's possible G2 makes them.

Tom

[martyo]

I was browsing the Eastwood catalog last night I didn't see any bigger sizes, but it's possible G2 makes them.
Tom: By now you must know that G2 makes the kit and Eastwood just re-labels it. A call to G2 may be in order....I will try to get with them in the next few days and see what they say. If I can convince them to give us larger quantities, are you in?

[Petrograde]

Tom: By now you must know that G2 makes the kit and Eastwood just re-labels it. A call to G2 may be in order....I will try to get with them in the next few days and see what they say. If I can convince them to give us larger quantities, are you in?

Possibly,.... depends on price. I don't want to spend $200 bucks for a gallon of 2 part epoxy. I just checked out their website (http://www.g2usa.com/index.shtml) I didn't see any larger sizes.

I think the G2 system will work on the axle. But I think there might better possibilities out there.

I think that painting the entire axle with a brush would be a total PITA! But if ya spray paint it then you have to mask the entire rear of the car... :rolleyes: Either way, it's a lot of work.

I'd love to remove the whole axle and do it properly, but I don't really consider that an option.

Tom

Edit- Had to remove "But, it does come in spray cans" It doesn't. I was looking at brake cleaner,... man,.. I need coffeeeeee!1!

[martyo]

Possibly,.... depends on price. I don't want to spend $200 bucks for a gallon of 2 part epoxy. I just checked out their website (http://www.g2usa.com/index.shtml) I didn't see any larger sizes.
Just because they don't offer it to the public doesn't mean that we can't persuade them to hook us up with it in larger quantities.


I think that painting the entire axle with a brush would be a total PITA! But if ya spray paint it then you have to mask the entire rear of the car... :rolleyes: Either way, it's a lot of work.
I agree that it mght be labor intensive to do the work with the axle installed, but a better brush than the stiff-bristled acid brush they supply might ease the pain.

I will make further inquiries with G2 and see what I can find out.

[TooManyFords]

One word: POR15

This is what I'm using to repaint my '79 Ford 4x4 frame black and well worth the investment. Head over to www.por15.com (http://www.por15.com) for more info.

John

[Petrograde]

I will make further inquiries with G2 and see what I can find out.

IF it's not too pricey,.... count me in!

Tom

[Petrograde]

One word: POR15

This is what I'm using to repaint my '79 Ford 4x4 frame black and well worth the investment. Head over to www.por15.com (http://www.por15.com) for more info.

John

Thanks John! This might be a slightly more cost effective solution.

Tom

[RoyLPita]

anyone know what the hell is leaking onto my axle?!

(don't say fuel,don't say fuel,don't say fuel,)

Tom

The excess is coming from the "breather valve". If it starts to get worse, have it checked out.

Just my .02

[Smokie]

My axle is also rusted. No leaks.

[jgc61sr2002]

The rusty axle housing assembly is one ( no charge ) option FMC didn't delete. HE HE