tips for a new player pls?

[ul9601]

Hi all,
Looking to buy an AU, specifically AUII or III for obvious reasons (even though AU Forte is a thing of a beauty ;))
Apparently they rust real bad? Any pointers to the locations to look out for?
There is this SVP I want to look at, as V8s are far pricier (for some reason) compared to XR6 - tips on drivetrain wise?
Cheers

[mchaggis]

Originally Posted by ul9601

Hi all,
Looking to buy an AU, specifically AUII or III for obvious reasons (even though AU Forte is a thing of a beauty ;))
Apparently they rust real bad? Any pointers to the locations to look out for?
There is this SVP I want to look at, as V8s are far pricier (for some reason) compared to XR6 - tips on drivetrain wise?
Cheers

With my project I found rust in quite a few places:

• Under the roof rubbers
• Under the trim below the windscreen in engine bay (near compliance plates)
• Boot gas strut lugs
• front and rear window seals
• lower boot lid
• under the trail lights

Actually there was rust everywhere, some easy to fix some a little more serious.



Just have a good poke around.

[ul9601]

Thanks - is the car from moisty part of the country or do they just rust regardless?

[mchaggis]

Originally Posted by ul9601

Thanks - is the car from moisty part of the country or do they just rust regardless?

Mine was a WA car, but I think they're prone to rusting.

[PG2]

Mine is a 2001 AUII and is pretty much rust free. I've had the tail lights out and to my surprise there was no rust under there as well.

My AUII ute has one spot of rust in it - under the driver's scuff plate. The AUIII wagon I have has two spots in the gutter but that is from the roof racks that it had fitted when I bought it.

Keep in mind that they are now 20 odd years old and will have some rust hidden somewhere. Look in all of the spots that mchaggis listed and are most of the way there.

[Ben]

Had a small amount behind my RH taillight and under battery. Also on my 2nd rusty boot lid...

[ul9601]

thanks - i suppose some of the area like the tail lights you really cant check after buying it and pulling apart?

[PG2]

Originally Posted by ul9601

thanks - i suppose some of the area like the tail lights you really cant check after buying it and pulling apart?

Pull back the boot lining behind the tail lights and look at the seam being the tail lights. While not a 100% foolproof if there is rust along that seam there will be more rust under the tail lights.

Otherwise, ask if you can take the tail lights out to look. It is only two screws and a 10mm nut. It takes 30 seconds. The worst thing the owner can say is no.

[Cav]

Check the recesses in the boot near where the struts attach to the body.