Rear Differential Rust

[acronin2]

I was changing the fluid in the differentials and transfer case yesterday and I noticed that the rear diff had a good amount of rust on it. I was trying to get the fluids changed before it started raining so I didn't have a lot of time to inspect it but did take a few pics. I think it's mostly surface rust. What do you guys think? Any suggestions would be welcome. I was thinking something along the lines of this

 

[shahsmerdis]

The key thing is you caught it, all that is surface rust. and I would not freak out, but take it seriously at the same time.
I'd go in with a wire brush, something not too strong, just enough to take out the rust, but not to mark up the good left over coating.

Personally I'd use meguiars super degreaser, after. let it dry then fluid film the whole thing. It will hold that from getting any worse. (this is the fastest and quickest option)

Btw mine kinda looks like the same. I'd look into eastwood products or SEM. rustolum. I think they will both give you better results for your time.

Edit: Also clean out your frame, and shoot it with fluid film

 

[acronin2]

The key thing is you caught it, all that is surface rust. and I would not freak out, but take it seriously at the same time.
I'd go in with a wire brush, something not too strong, just enough to take out the rust, but not to mark up the good left over coating.

Personally I'd use meguiars super degreaser, after. let it dry then fluid film the whole thing. It will hold that from getting any worse. (this is the fastest and quickest option)

Btw mine kinda looks like the same. I'd look into eastwood products or SEM. rustolum. I think they will both give you better results for your time.

Edit: Also clean out your frame, and shoot it with fluid film

Is fluid film something that you would use as a protectant and than paint over it? I'll look into eastwood and SEM. Thanks for the reply

 

[dkyleb]

You can't start the cancer once it has started... You can slow it down though.

Don't bother with expensive snake oils. It's a very simple process here:

1. Wire brush or wire wheel if you have one.
2. 50/50 mix of Simple Green degreaser / water, let soak for 15 minutes, rinse of with water.
3. Let dry, apply Tremclad with a roller and some brushes. Grab a can or two for spots that you can't get to easily.
4. Let the Tremclad cure for a WEEK. Seriously, this stuff takes forever...
5. Finally, wash it off again and apply a coat of Fluid Film. Re apply coating again every season change.

 

[ac13888]

Do google search on Blue Steel Primer, we use it on rusted metal and have great result with it.....

you can paint over it if you want or just leave it the way it is.....

 

[shahsmerdis]

Make sure you also take off the spare tire and degrease that area. Mine had salt build up, and wasn't properly washed because the spare tire was in the way.

I'd fluid film all the fuel and evap lines back there, they are prone to rusting.

I'd say every april/may, go in and degrease the area.

 

[RobS10]

Rusty diff

I looked at a 2007 Sequoia last weekend and it looked similar. Vehicle was from Vallejo, CA, so no salt on roads out here, just a little salt air from the bay. 1st Gen Tundras were notorious for rotting frames in states that salt roads. I looked at an '05 that lived close to the ocean, and it looked BAD! Didn't know Japanese made 4Runners had any problems with rust...it is a perfect target though, as the paint gets bombarded by road crap. My '86 F-150 had no black paint left on the rear end whatsoever, but something about the rust in the photo looks more "active", like it could go deeper than the surface rust on my Ford.

 

[shahsmerdis]

My guess is where ever they make the rear diff, they aren't coating it properly because every single rear diff I see in the salt belt has some sort of surface rust on it... Or is just close to the ground and gets more road salt on it? Either way I'd just fluid film it and move on. Ensure your rear diff breather is functional, or just replace it for a 10 dollars after 10 years. cheap insurance that your diff is venting correctly.

 

[acronin2]

Thanks for the replies...as I said before it seems like its just surface rust (for now) but I was in a rush to beat the rain so didn't have much time to investigate further. I want to take care of it this spring/summer to at least slow the rust down. Any other suggestions are welcome in the meantime. I will keep y'all posted on what I end up doing.

 

[Lifesfordeath]

Thanks for posting this! Crawled under mine to do the fluid change and came across surface rust such as yours

 

[mizak82]

they have stuff from vht called Rust converter..


id wire brush what i could.. spray the rust converter on it.. see whats left and then spray chassis paint over everything..

 

[Utopia]

Do google search on Blue Steel Primer, we use it on rusted metal and have great result with it.....

you can paint over it if you want or just leave it the way it is.....

I googled this but cannot seem to find it anyplace out of the U.K. Got a link?

 

[ac13888]

I googled this but cannot seem to find it anyplace out of the U.K. Got a link?

Hope this helps, i believe is only product info.....I am sure you will find a supplier on-line.....we use it at work on large machinery/vehicle under carriage

i took some and applied to a rusty fire hydrant in front of my house then paint it over it...its been 4 years and no rust and red/white blue paint still on it.....


Blue Steel Primer - Conversion - Rust Protection & Conversion

http://www.westernmarine.com/acrobat/bls.pdf this one shows to contact [email protected] for info...

I am sure my job did not buy this from UK....we have it in a gallon jar....Let me see if I can find info on the container for you...

 

[MrRoo]

Ive had real good luck with a product called Corroseal. Can be bought online. its a rust convertor. Used it on several rusted vehicles. You can paint over it also. Turns rust black and stays clear on everything else. I've always used Fluid film for protection. Or any good used oil works wonders also. I spray all my vehicles 2 times a year with Fluid Film.

 

[ac13888]

Ive had real good luck with a product called Corroseal. Can be bought online. its a rust convertor. Used it on several rusted vehicles. You can paint over it also. Turns rust black and stays clear on everything else. I've always used Fluid film for protection. Or any good used oil works wonders also. I spray all my vehicles 2 times a year with Fluid Film.

Sounds like blue steel.... this is exactly how it comes out....

 

[blackoutt]

Any phosphoric acid rust converter will do the trick. I think I used the POR 15 brand since it really wasn't all that cost prohibitive compared to buying bulk industrial phosphoric acid and it came in a handy squirt bottle.