Frame rust trouble areas
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 110
From: Lehi, Utah
Frame rust trouble areas
I ran into a guy today and my 280zx came up in conversation. He said that there is a place on the frame that if it is rusty/rotted out, that it makes the car useless to restore. I have glanced under the car and didn't see any more rust than I would expect on any other 27 year old car. Is there some trouble areas I should look out for. It would be nice to have access to a lift to check things out under there. The car looks to be in good shape. But then again when I took out the windshield I was greatly surprised by the amount of rust I found.
The Good Twin
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,639
From: Wild Wild West, UTAH!
What? Why would rusted frame rails make the car useless to restore? Obviously that guy has never restored a car.
https://www.zdriver.com/forums/240z-280zxt-s30-s130-tech-tips-275/280zx-common-problems-checklist-purchase-inspection-16386/
https://www.zdriver.com/forums/240z-280zxt-s30-s130-tech-tips-275/280zx-common-problems-checklist-purchase-inspection-16386/
Originally Posted by Bleach
Rust. bottom edge of fender, lower rocker panels, up inside all four fenders, behind fender lips. run your hand in there and check. Hopefully there' sno buildup of dirt... plants growing inside the nooks of the fenders? probably rust behind it.
Joints of the body, rust creeps out round the tail lights. Lift the rear hatch. Look up at the bottom of the hatch. that's a common rust problem area. The base of the windshield around the air inlet vent by the wipers. Rust creeps in from under the windshield seal too. Bubbles in the paint anywhere mean there is more rust under there than you can see.
Joints of the body, rust creeps out round the tail lights. Lift the rear hatch. Look up at the bottom of the hatch. that's a common rust problem area. The base of the windshield around the air inlet vent by the wipers. Rust creeps in from under the windshield seal too. Bubbles in the paint anywhere mean there is more rust under there than you can see.
NisTuner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,800
From: Cleveland, Ohio
One thing that I've heard alot from people is that if the frame rails are rusted, bent, etc that the cars are unsafe for the road. The people who say this usually do not know a thing about old Z cars or unibodies. The frame rails on a Z are hollow and were never meant to be main support or points to jack the car up by, but are there more for stability and body stiffness.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
master300zx
FS: 240Z,260Z,280Z & 280ZX (70-83)
0
Apr 10, 2006 08:50 PM
Bookmarks
