When fuzzy cardboard isn't enough..

[JTK]

Here's some rust belt pics to enjoy.

I did a tire rotation on my 2021 Chevy Traverse @55K miles the other day and in the process, pulled the rear fender liners to get access to woolwax all the metal bits hidden behind the fuzzy carpet/cardboard like fender liners. These liners also have a layer of cotton-like batting for additional sound deadening I presume. Problem is, these white pads stay wet and were in direct contact with some of the rear HVAC lines in the right rear wheel well. You could peel it off I guess, but it is bonded to the flimsy liners pretty well. It's probably a non-issue as I've not heard of HVAC problems on the 2018+ as of yet. Also, look at the rear suspension. Instead of a basic upper/lower control arms, these have LCAs, two lower struts and two upper angled struts, plus the stabilizer bar links. That is a lot of bushings, nuts, bolts, etc. Again, must not be too bad, as suspension issues don't seem to be too common on 2018+. The rotors look bad as the vehicle has been sitting for a few days in the rain. Everything is moving well, wearing evenly back there.

 

[Kira]

Auto makers used to place a cloth pad on the gas tank which was steel in those days.
Then they'd press the tank into position and apply the tank straps.
The pad prevented any rattles....and absorbed moisture, thus promoting rust.
Good going! <sarcasm

 

[MasterSolenoid]

I have those wheelwell liners on my Ford Escape also, .... (not a confidence builder).
I sprayed them with Rubberized Undercoating.

I'm thinking of removing the liners and going to town with Cosmoline on any sheetmetal.

JTK, look into Surface Shield by BP Blaster.
It contains 5-10% vasoline and may not wash off as easily as WoolWax.

 

[JTK]

JTK, look into Surface Shield by BP Blaster.
It contains 5-10% vasoline and may not wash off as easily as WoolWax.

I may do that once I get through my 5gal pail of woolwax. I've had excellent results with WW on areas other than those that get constant road blast. If it can stay on a surface long enough to dry to a dark, dirty grease, it's there for good unless you manually remove it.

 

[97prizm]

You'd think that by now wouldn't coil overs and upper and lower a arms be standard on suspension?

 

[JTK]

You'd think that by now wouldn't coil overs and upper and lower a arms be standard on suspension?

Exactly what I was thinking. The General has it's ways I guess.

This setup does make for easy shock and spring replacement. For being basically an 8-seater, AWD minivan, it does ride and handle excellent and they don't have anything special in terms of towing ability. I think it's something like 3500lbs "max tow capacity". I would assume mostly because of the 9AT.

 

[Kestas]

Auto makers used to place a cloth pad on the gas tank which was steel in those days.
Then they'd press the tank into position and apply the tank straps.
The pad prevented any rattles....and absorbed moisture, thus promoting rust.

It's called poultice corrosion.
It may have also been there to prevent fretting. Either way, it's a poor design. A rubber shim would have been better.

 

[Kira]

A rubber shim would have been better.

Spaghetti vinyl flooring scraps on tractor seats drained rain water well.
It's what I would've used if I were a time traveler.

 

[eljefino]

Had a Jeep Liberty that had fuzzy cloth-like wanna-be-asbestos fabric on the engine side of the lower firewall. Seemed like an invite for corrosion there as well.

 

[KrisZ]

Why not soak that white cotton like fabric with wool wax? At least in places it touches the lines or other metal.

 

[supton]

How much dirt did you find packed behind the liners? I'm finding it to be a great sand trap. I like the NVH reduction, but am finding it a great way to start rust too.