Dear Fellow Brickboarders,

May this find you well. I beg leave to report that I found rust in the same unexpected place, on 1993 and 1994 940 wagons. From this I conclude that this may be a generic risk, and not specific to a particular vehicle.

Above the rear hatch, below the hinges, there is a black plastic ventilation strip. It runs the width of the hatch opening. It is secured by 6 screws. I removed it to clean debris (leaves, etc.) from the space behind the ventilation strip.

On each car, I found rust on passenger side of the opening, in an area near the hinge. It seems to have resulted from the bottom of the ventilation strip fitting too tightly against the metal work.

I primed the area and top coated it with touch-up paint. I used some sandpaper to smooth the bottom of the ventilation strip, so that it does not press against the metal work.

If you drive a wagon, I suggest you inspect this area.

You can lube the hatch hinges, while you're in the area.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

Is this rust on the tailgate? It can't be on the tailgate itself as they are made from aluminum.

Dear SteveSC,

May this find you well. As I noted, the rust is not on the tailgate. It is under the ventilation strip, beneath the tailgate hinges. This area is part of the car's body, which is why I drew attention to it.

Changing a hatch is easy. Once a car's body starts to rust, it is hard to stop.

Yours faithfully

spook

There is usually quite a bit of debris in that area,I've cleaned both mine out but dont remember the state of the rubbing.I was more concerned at getting all of the junk out.I now have something to re check,dont want it raining in the back and it is easy to lube the hinges.
--
83 242 DL -129k, 92-965-195k, 94-965-203k, 84-242 GLT-Gone, but not forgotten,83-245GLT-1'st one (the 1'st 3 currently on the road)

Hi Spook -
Thanks for the tip. I try to be good about cleaning the debris from the hatch hinge holes (sorry)... I'll take a look under the plastic trim, as well.

- Brian '93 945T

Wow I thought everything was galvanized on these cars. Where do you live? Here in SoCal we have seen a total of 4 rain days in the last 6 months.

Dear Justin,

Good a.m. and may this find you well. In New England. We have rain, snow, and salt (used to melt the snow). But these cars came from Florida and Louisiana, respectively, where they have only rain.

Rust can occur even in a desert. It will be a fine film of oxidation, rather than something that eats deeply into metal. Still, it's not good.


Yours faithfully,

spook

Good tip
I ususally spray a bit of light oil in the area from both holes where the hinges are. this keeps the rost away from it, as the plastic will start rubbing against the chasis again and the paint will come off in a while.