Rusted suspension link bolt

suzboy · Sat Mar 02, 2013 4:33 am

Hi all it is me again.... I probably have OCD about my car and this is the latest "discovery" of mine on the Kizashi.

When taking the wheels off, I have noticed that the bolt heads of the suspension link (that attach brake assembly to the suspension) is a bit rusty.

I was assured by my tech (in dependent of Suzuki) that the rust is only surface level rust and it is common to steel/cast iron, and that I shouldn't worry about it as the bolt will outlast my car anyway.

I don't think it is a safety concern at all, but I am a bit disappointed to see sign of rust for a less than 2 year old. Mind you I live in Australia and it doesn't slow here.

Anyone having the same problem or it is just me?

murcod · Sat Mar 02, 2013 4:57 am

It's strange the surface coating on the bolt hasn't prevented that. I'd just keep an eye on it every 12mths or so. It's not like we have salt on the roads over here so it shouldn't deteriorate too quickly.

PS: I'll be taking my front wheels off soon- I'll let you know if mine is the same.

~tc~ · Sat Mar 02, 2013 5:01 am

Note that is the spindle, has nothing to do with the brakes.

The bolts that gold the brakes come in from the bacl

suzboy · Sat Mar 02, 2013 5:14 am

Yes lucky it is not on the brake assembly and I highly doubt that it will have any effect on the car at all. It is on a bolt/bold nut and therefore shouldn't spread I guess.

But it is frustrating to know the car mechanics is not at 100%.

suzboy · Sun Mar 03, 2013 11:50 pm

Sorry to bump this thread up again. Want to give an update on this.

I had the dealer check it out an they think it is normal for those exposed metal to rust. Probably something to do with salt water they recogn (I have never taken the car off road nor I live near the sea!!!)

They said the suzuki altos suffer from the same problem.... Does it mean poor workmanship?

Dealer reports say "just oxidation on suspension strut bolts".

I did check out other Kizashis in the yard at the same dealership. They all have slightly deteriorated bolt/bolt nuts but not to the extent of my car. But then I couldn't take the wheels off and check out the brake assemblies...

I am a bit disappointed with this actually, because I have a similar age Mazda 3 and it is rust free!

11zukizashi · Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:13 am

If your that worried take them out, measure them, and buy some stainless steel ones or something.

murcod · Mon Mar 04, 2013 1:30 pm

They'd be a high tensile bolt, so you'd need to be careful what you replaced them with. Just put some sort of rust converter on them and then paint over them (if you're that worried.)

PS: They are an important bolt as the pair of them hold the strut to the hub- not something you'd ever want to fail as your front wheel would end up torn off if they let go at speed....

suzboy · Sat Mar 09, 2013 12:48 am

Thanks murcod. I will probably leave the bolts as they are, and learn how to enjoy the car as a whole.

Replacing the bolts is just too much effort and yeah, if not done probably it will be dangerous.

Lucky that the bolts are not so visible so it won't really affect resell vale of the car (not that it has much anyway bring a suzuki)

Speed_Racer · Sun Mar 17, 2013 9:32 am

Another option - when you replace the struts, those bolts have to come off to remove the strut assembly. When you (or dealer) reassemble, order new bolts and replace when reinstalling.

murcod · Sun Mar 17, 2013 2:49 pm

Forgot to mention that I had a check of mine during the week- there are no signs of rust. They appear to be galvanised, so shouldn't rust.