2014 Frame Rust

[Novak74205]

Hello :)

I am new to the forums and wanted some feedback from other drivers as to if it this is a "normal" thing to occur on my Mazda 3, which is about to turn 1 year old this month.

I have already had the hatch repainted because there was about a dozen rust bubbles behind the plate. They put bumpers behind the plate this time so it's not metal on metal.

Anyway, when I was walking up to my car today I noticed a brown spot from afar on what I am assuming is the frame of the vehicle, right behind the drivers side wheel. I took a closer look and it looks like whatever they apply to that area of the car has started peeling off. I can can also see that the problem is worsening, as the material above it seems to be lifting as well.

The car is a 2014 GT Sport w/ 6200 KM on it and a Sym-Tech rust module.

http://i57.tinypic.com/wlyuyu.jpg

[Best323]

SHIT

[staax]

That's right on a lift/jack point and that's completely normal if what ever you're using to lift is metal on metal contact. Very common that the pinch welds rust.

If you service your car in a shop where they put it on a lift its just a bit of paint that has chipped away.

If you service your car yourself, I recommend placing something like a glove between the Jack and pinch weld... Prevents metal on metal contact limiting the risk of chipping.

[Cab0oze]

^^^^^ what he said

[jwoods_24]

....6200km.... I doubt it's seen much jack time. Even if it has, that's worrisome..

[HappyJappy]

Next oil change, bring it up to the dealers attention.

[ryan2.3]

That's right on a lift/jack point and that's completely normal if what ever you're using to lift is metal on metal contact. Very common that the pinch welds rust.

If you service your car in a shop where they put it on a lift its just a bit of paint that has chipped away.

If you service your car yourself, I recommend placing something like a glove between the Jack and pinch weld... Prevents metal on metal contact limiting the risk of chipping.


i put a hockey puck with a notch cut into it on my floor jack pad

[Novak74205]

Thank you for the the insight in to this issue.

The car has been in for 2 oil changes, since I was told to change the oil every 4 months regardless of the KMs. I know everyone has different viewpoints on the oil changes, though I am just being safe for warranty purposes.

This car has not been behaving over its short life and I have a list of grievances to bring to Mazda. (Active display doesn't pop up all the time, one of the radiator fans is whistling, knocking or something coming from the back on the passengers side, rattling). I will have them take a look at this rust point too. The opposite side looks perfect.

Wish Mazda (or any sensible shop) would put something under the car when they lift it, as you guys have suggested. Seems like an easy way to avoid making a mess like this show up.

Cheers.

[Novak74205]

Also it's been on a jack once to my knowledge. One oil change was done at Mr. Lube, where they work on the car from below. Second oil change was a few weeks ago, not not enough for that kind of rust the develop.

[Reddie1337]

It almost looks like that spot of your fender has been bent upwards. Maybe something has hit it, or it was driven over something?

[Novak74205]

It almost looks like that spot of your fender has been bent upwards. Maybe something has hit it, or it was driven over something?

You are right... The metal in that area is actually bent inward. I cannot recall striking anything, and that would be a difficult place to hit being right behind the front wheel. I compared it to the opposite side, and our other 2014 Mazda 3.

http://i61.tinypic.com/xap56d.jpg

I was poking around that area right now, those two bolts seem to be the base of the sheetmetal that runs up and over the wheel well. I can see the indicators for the jacking points further back.

It looks like someone may have tried to raise the car up in the wrong place? I have no idea how that could have possibly happened.

The only other evidence of this is in this photo, where it looks like this part of the frame further back, was also grazed.

http://i59.tinypic.com/n3w9b7.jpg

[Reddie1337]

Those 2 bolts are the bottom of the fender. That's how it's held onto the car. But yeah, it looks like something pushed up there. The only weird part is how far forward it is. And it seems to be a quite small area to be pushed up.

[MidnightBlueMica]

hopefully it is just surface rust?? :/

try sanding it down and re-applying some underseal on it.

just my 2-cents...

-Jason