1990-1996 q45 observations-not good

[qship96]

On my 96q,I have 2 problems that are annoying,especially since I overmaintain and according to others,wash & wax frequently.the first has to do with both front door windows accumulating vertical scratches on the exterior of the glass,both near the front part of the glass near the mirrors,the second is a rust bubble forming on the drivers side rear wheelwell,behind the tire where the metal meets the bumper cover,i have been looking at other q`s in baltimore and notice this same bubble on many others,always only on the drivers side.my detailer also mentioned he has observed this in the same spot on q`s he has detailed.anyone know why these 2 things are happening,and how to stop-fix?

[Jesda]

Honestly, Ive never seen a Q with rust. Like, ever.

[1qckser]

Thats funny, mine has it in the same spot and im CT:)

[Rex]

... a rust bubble forming on the drivers side rear wheelwell,behind the tire ...

I've got this as well on my clean 94 . Do you have stock tires?

I'm attributing mine to the wider tires and more stuff (possibly something hard) gets tossed up "outside" the wheel well.

[qship96]

stock wheels,235-60-15 pilots,do both of yours only show rust bubbles on the DRIVERS side like mine?

[1qckser]

Same side, same spot:mad:

[Rex]

exactly

[maxnix]

Yeah, but is it corroding from the inside out? Probably worth checking the inside of the fender well for retention of salty slush.

Damn sodiium chloride.

[elwesso]

No rust on mine, and mine was driven in the salt belt with little washing....

[qship96]

rust is starting under perfect,non blemished paint area,so yes,it is rusting from the inside out.infiniti refused corrosion warranty since it wasnt perforated yet{a complete hole through the body}the inside wheelwell is not rusted,the visible spot backs up behind the rear well,not into the well.by the way,the car got a thourough hand washing at least 1x per week,including flushing wheelwells for the last 6 years,and waxed quarterly by me.considering all the others i have seen rust in the same exact spot,only on the drivers side,leads me to beleive there was a problem in the build process.any ideas on the window scratching ?

[1qckser]

My body guy said that in that location it looks like what Max said is going on, its holding all of the water in that specific spot, mine would be worse except I dont drive my Q in the rain/ snow so its only carwash water:), but the damage is done.

[911/Q45]

The door window glass rubs on the window guides in those places, I think there was a TSB on the early cars, but a 96 should have had that incorporated. The only fix would be new door glass and the only prevention would be to minimize running it up and down.

[maxnix]

Or replace the felt seals which probably have grit in them and are thus scratching your glass.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[elwesso]

RE: The rust. DOes your car have factory mud flaps???

[Rex]

RE: The rust. DOes your car have factory mud flaps???

Mine does, or at least they appear to be OEM??

[qship96]

yes,i have the mudflaps,the rust is higher up on the body than the flaps,right where the metal quarterpanel meets the rubber bumper cover,but not starting on the edge of the panel,really sucks!car will probobly rust out before the overmaintained mechanical systems will-almost makes me think twice about spending the $ on redline oil and gear lube and mobil 1 annual transmission flushes!

[elwesso]

Maybe you could take a picture, Im may be a bit fishy on where it is...

[kblast523]

Living in the rust belt for the last 10 years, and what you describe as "perfect" paint over the rusted area leads me to believe there is a contact point somwhere near the bumper mount that has "worn" a hole in the paint allowing sodium chloride to attack the metal. As it eats at the metal under the paint a blister develops. There is absolutely nothing you can do except to remove the bumper cover and have a professional body shop treat the spot and hopefully not screw up the rest of the paint. I had a 1991 Mercury Sable that virtually rotted overnight because of the salt (it was white) and had rust on all four doors at the handles, on the edge of the trunk and front doors within 36 months of moving it from South Texas to Nebraska. Ford honored the rust warranty (as well as extended transmission warranty) and spent $2600 replacing panels and fixing stuff. I traded the car in 1997 and it was doing exactly what you describe-blistering...again (now with over 100k on the clock). As for the scratched windows...and (also rust-belt evidence) dirt that gets into the bumpers and guides causes this. Only cure is to replace windows and guides, and keep the car clean. Now you know why I own a Nissan Sentra(winter driver) as well as an Infiniti...