Why do the door panels rust?
10-15-2011, 03:14 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 10-15-2011
Location: Fort Wayne IN
Posts: 40
Why do the door panels rust?
I'm HHR shopping and one of the issues I am seeing with the 08 and older is rust on the lower door panel.
Goal is to find a 09 or 10 that doesn't have the rust yet but what causes it so I can keep it from starting?
Guessing is a drainage problem, maybe rain going down the window. Then the drain plug gets clogged so water sits.
Goal is to find a 09 or 10 that doesn't have the rust yet but what causes it so I can keep it from starting?
Guessing is a drainage problem, maybe rain going down the window. Then the drain plug gets clogged so water sits.
10-15-2011, 03:36 PM
#2
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Join Date: 03-06-2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 6,869
Incomplete or missed sealer in the pinch-weld between the door skin and the frame of the door....... Many early ones have the issue but some don't. I saw a photo of a 2010 and there was a definite bead of sealer visible that I don't have on my '07...... BUT I don't have the rust either, so mine is one of the lucky ones. Not sure what year they changed the application procedure.
Keeping the area cleaned and waxed helps and making sure the drain holes are clear as well.
Keeping the area cleaned and waxed helps and making sure the drain holes are clear as well.
10-15-2011, 06:56 PM
#3
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Join Date: 09-11-2007
Location: Palm Bay, Florida
Posts: 1,378
Cars from the "rust belt" states (states that use salt for the winter roads) will show that seam rust. Originally I lived in upstate NY and all my cars showed that type of rust. The HHR, I bought in Florida and shows no rust in 5+ years.
Last edited by Old Lar; 10-16-2011 at 08:20 AM.
10-15-2011, 08:05 PM
#6
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Join Date: 11-15-2008
Location: Newburgh, NY
Posts: 1,599
Open the doors when you're done washing and run a clean rag around the edges. I have 25 year old vehicles that have no sign of rust in these places because it is a habit of mine. And my '08 HHR has no sign of rust either.
10-15-2011, 10:40 PM
#7
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Join Date: 12-14-2007
Location: Toronto ON Canada
Posts: 2,964
keeping it dry after washing did no good for me. Dirty/salty water gets into the door past the window seal and seeps into the bottom seam from the inside. Best thing to do is get the doors rustproofed as soon as possible, i use rustcheck spray yearly.
10-15-2011, 11:48 PM
#8
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Join Date: 01-25-2010
Location: Marietta, PA
Posts: 640
I have small paint bubbles on the seem where it looks like rust is trying to start on my '09. I ALWAYS dry the inside door jams after washing and it hasn't helped. I have the 5yr/100,000 mile warranty. I plan on taking it in soon to have them look at it again. I had an appointment for it a short while ago but something came up and I couldn't make it.
10-16-2011, 07:15 AM
#9
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Join Date: 10-15-2011
Location: Fort Wayne IN
Posts: 40
On one hand it gives me extra pull when buying used but on the other I don't want to have to deal with it in the years to come.
Wonder if there are in DIY projects that work. Time to start google searching.
10-16-2011, 07:42 AM
#10
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Join Date: 07-05-2008
Location: Akron Ohio
Posts: 5,464
These spots are small and slow moving. I suspect at the rate of growth it would be 10 years before it is any issue. By then most HHRs will be used up.
Many cars have this issue and few rust through and you don't see it as their doord don't roll under as far.
The third door on my Sonoma went 12 years with it and never rusted throught.
While it may present a worry that should not be I suspect it will never become an issue for most HHR owners till the car is well past its prime.
Many cars have this issue and few rust through and you don't see it as their doord don't roll under as far.
The third door on my Sonoma went 12 years with it and never rusted throught.
While it may present a worry that should not be I suspect it will never become an issue for most HHR owners till the car is well past its prime.
