Rust!

vtelvr · April 18, 2011

Well, less than a year into ownership of my 2010 Silverado, I have had multiple issues. Maybe some have had similar issues? I have a fairly extensive thread on here about my brakes and the issues I have had with them. However, this has nothing to do with that, except helps drive the nail in the coffin for GM (lack of) quality control.

Take a peak here...

Now, please correct me if I am wrong, but shouldn't a truck with just under 20,000miles and less than a year old have a few less problems??? I had it at the dealership 4, yes, FOUR times for the brake issue. Wonder how many times I will need to take it back for the rust issue? Also, at less than 20,000 miles, my truck needs a front end alignment. Not too sure on how often that should happen, but on previous vehicles I have owned, they never showed need for one until new tires were needed. Even then, I did it as a precautionary procedure. Sorry for the rant, just quite upset over this truck.

pm26 · April 18, 2011

This rust is just surface rust on the differential cover, and nothing to worry about. Would you believe that most brand new differential covers GM sells have rust spots on them right out of the box? They are unpainted steel stampings. I was somewhat surprised by this.

However, the axle housing is a casting and surface rust will not do anything to it. As for differential cover, they paint it poorly from the factory, and this has been going on for years. I would just sand it by hand and repaint it. My truck's cover was rusty within a year and the truck was garage kept and has never seen snow.

Rust on chromed bumpers and painted areas is a whole different story though. I would be upset about that , no doubt.

Ask your GM dealer if they will give you a new cover. They may opt to sand it down and repaint it as they will have to paint a new one too, and they do not have to change the rear end oil and cover gasket if they do not remove the cover.

Wysilverado · April 18, 2011

Look under any new vehicle that has seen moisture,you will find the same thing

05GMCZ71 · April 18, 2011

Always a good idea to have a new car or truck aligned between 14,000-20,000 miles, even if it does not seem to be pulling. Every new vehicle I get gets an alignment at around 15,000 miles, no matter what brand. As new parts wear in, things will slip out of alignment. Yes it is something you have to pay for but worth it. Always a good idea to get an alignment done anytime you install new tires as well. Even if your vehicle is not pulling.

rog_ski · April 18, 2011

Always a good idea to have a new car or truck aligned between 14,000-20,000 miles, even if it does not seem to be pulling. Every new vehicle I get gets an alignment at around 15,000 miles, no matter what brand. As new parts wear in, things will slip out of alignment. Yes it is something you have to pay for but worth it. Always a good idea to get an alignment done anytime you install new tires as well. Even if your vehicle is not pulling.

X2 on the aligment. We have about 12,000 Miles on our 6 month old street car and it was pulling towards the ditch. I was a little miffed that it had needed one so soon but all it takes is one pot hole, I hadn't even factored in the parts wearing into place.

After all I have read on the rust issues with the newer trucks it is giving me a better appreciation for mine.

vtelvr · April 18, 2011

Ok, I can understand about the alignment. However, you guys who accept shoddy quality in saying that the new rear diff covers come in rusted,...well, wow. I can't believe that. I could understand a truck that has seen salt during the winter, or a truck that isn't maintained, but this truck is less than a year old! How did we become a nation of who cares, and lack of quality. Where did the pride go that was once MADE IN THE USA?

pm26 · April 18, 2011

Ok, I can understand about the alignment. However, you guys who accept shoddy quality in saying that the new rear diff covers come in rusted,...well, wow. I can't believe that. I could understand a truck that has seen salt during the winter, or a truck that isn't maintained, but this truck is less than a year old! How did we become a nation of who cares, and lack of quality. Where did the pride go that was once MADE IN THE USA?

I actually bought a new differential cover for my truck (out of warranty now) to replace the original one because mine has surface rust on it. The new cover inside the box had rust spots on the outside, and the parts guy told me they all look like that. I returned the cover not because of some surface rust (it needed to painted anyway), but because it had an additional filler plug which my oild one does not have, and of course, no drain plug. I agree that this is dumb, a new cover should be painted on the outside and be corrosion free when you open the box.

As I said, I am more upset about other things that show low quality, like cheap chromed bumpers and oval side steps, and thin cheap sheet metal that dents when you sneeze on it. Seriously, even though my GTM800 has somewhat thicker sheet metal than GTM900 trucks, the roof sheet metal on my crew cab is so thin that it flexes under my hand when I gently wash it with a sponge without applying hardly any pressure to it. They had to stamp raised ribs into it just to keep it from collapsing on itself under its own weight. I would never use a pressure washer on it, I just might blow my roof off.

As for "Made in USA", it is getting replaced with "Assembled in USA", and that for only a small percentage of goods now.

dlewis1111 · April 18, 2011

Ok, I can understand about the alignment. However, you guys who accept shoddy quality in saying that the new rear diff covers come in rusted,...well, wow. I can't believe that. I could understand a truck that has seen salt during the winter, or a truck that isn't maintained, but this truck is less than a year old! How did we become a nation of who cares, and lack of quality. Where did the pride go that was once MADE IN THE USA?

Did you do anything to help prevent this cover from rusting? It didn't get that way overnight and if you were really concerned about it you would have done something before it was to this state, right?

vtelvr · April 18, 2011

Why should I need to "help prevent" the cover from rusting? This is a brand new truck. The rest of the frame and underside is covered in that stick tar substance; Why not the rear end?

It gets hosed off every wash. Now, it has been about a month until last night since I have washed the truck. Some may say that is neglect, but if you live in the south around pollen/wet season, one could understand that I have not washed my truck in that amount of time. It has been sprayed off during that amount of time however.

Garrett Street · April 18, 2011

All I can tell you is that I wouldn't worry about this. If it bothers you that much get a different truck or throw some different paint. But, if you get a different truck and people ask you why, don't be surprised if they laugh. I know I would.

Daryl LBZ · April 18, 2011

Every spring I pressure wash the underneath of my truck and wire brush the rear end then go over it with high heat paint. The first winter after I had mine my rear end cover was like that, but only about half as bad looking.

terzmo · April 18, 2011

Ok, I can understand about the alignment. However, you guys who accept shoddy quality in saying that the new rear diff covers come in rusted,...well, wow. I can't believe that. I could understand a truck that has seen salt during the winter, or a truck that isn't maintained, but this truck is less than a year old! How did we become a nation of who cares, and lack of quality. Where did the pride go that was once MADE IN THE USA?

Did you do anything to help prevent this cover from rusting? It didn't get that way overnight and if you were really concerned about it you would have done something before it was to this state, right?

This is a TOTAL BS answer. Why does someone need to do additional rustproofing on a vehicle in the 40K price range. I've had, and still do, OTHER cars that are over 10 years old and don't have that much rust. (buffalo NY, roadsalt capital) And because new covers come out of the box rusty; that's acceptable ? These answers sound like they come from people used to be bended over.

Daryl LBZ · April 18, 2011

Ok, I can understand about the alignment. However, you guys who accept shoddy quality in saying that the new rear diff covers come in rusted,...well, wow. I can't believe that. I could understand a truck that has seen salt during the winter, or a truck that isn't maintained, but this truck is less than a year old! How did we become a nation of who cares, and lack of quality. Where did the pride go that was once MADE IN THE USA?

Did you do anything to help prevent this cover from rusting? It didn't get that way overnight and if you were really concerned about it you would have done something before it was to this state, right?

This is a TOTAL BS answer. Why does someone need to do additional rustproofing on a vehicle in the 40K price range. I've had, and still do, OTHER cars that are over 10 years old and don't have that much rust. (buffalo NY, roadsalt capital) And because new covers come out of the box rusty; that's acceptable ? These answers sound like they come from people used to be bended over.

You do have a very good point. Vehicles arent worth what you have to pay for them anymore. I know I'll never buy a brand new vehicle again. I like buying slightly used.

bluArrow · April 18, 2011

Ford solved their rust thru (as in leaks oil) problems by bumping the price $$$$$$$$$ and switching to an aluminum rear diff cover. My previous four trucks were Fords and you could PLAN on replacing the perferated rear diff cover.

DaveH71 · April 18, 2011

Instead of buying a crappy new gm replacement cover why not by a MAG HYTEC or TA performance cover? Both are aluminum, wont rust, powder coated, add oil capacity, are stronger, and look great. Yeah they might be a little bit more $ but if the rust is that big of a problem for you this will solve it completely.