Anyone else have unpainted RUSTY spindles??

[Optimus]

See pics below. Just got our ‘23 XLT Hybrid barely a month ago and haven’t really driven it since then (has not seen rain or snow here either). I’ve seen other MTC complaints of rust but never seen completely unpainted spindles. Anyone else’s like this? The closest I’ve seen is machined sections of the spindles, like at the tie rods, that were not re-painted after machining. Other photos on MTC show spindles that are otherwise painted (black) all over, except the small sections machined at mounting points.

I realize it’s just orange surface rust at this point but jeez! I live in Minnesota too. Needless to say, I won’t be leaving them like this. They will either get painted with rust converter, Fluid Film, or both.

Yes they are that orange!

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[cyberdog]

Probably all of us! - I've seen lots of spindles rust, it's just that the rust on those is a brighter orange than the usually darker brown or near black that isn't as noticeable. I think it's the alloy used to cast them just rusts with a really bright orange. Maybe they thought they'd be cute and make them match the interior trim on the XLTs.

Edit: Apparently bright orange is a result of 'flash-rust' in a high oxygen atmosphere, or when the item is machined iron (not cast) or certain types of steel (high carbon for instance, where there's a HO/Hydrogen-Oxide present). Who knew!

 

[Optimus]

Yes, a possible match for the interior orange trim, but too dark to be Cyber Orange (which I would otherwise like!). I just am surprised there not painted at all, while older MTC posts show painted spindles (except for the machined mounting points that were ground down).

 

[RedRider]

That is not a commonly painted part. Its going to take 50 years to rust enough to cause any issues. What weird vehicle paints them?

 

[Optimus]

Ford. Mavericks.

Apparently at least some of them. Here are examples from other rust-themed threads on MTC, with example photos from their threads.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/rust-prevention-undercoating.26571/

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/cutting-corners.19010/

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/rust-issues.4462/

 

[NoVaJimmy]

That is not a commonly painted part. Its going to take 50 years to rust enough to cause any issues. What weird vehicle paints them?

Plenty. They are painted black on my '22 with just the machined surface for tie rod ends unpainted. I see Ford is cutting costs even further. I'm going to try to talk my father out of trading in his 22 ecoboost on a 24 hybrid

 

[Bobbyleep3]

In my 50+ years of vehicle ownership including farm trucks I have never seen a spindle rot from rust. If you are concerned with appearance that's another issue. What your photos show is beginning surface oxidation. Yes, rust is oxidation. Relax, enjoy your truck. I don't know how old you are but no matter, an unpainted spindle will outlive you.

 

[Tim d]

See pics below. Just got our ‘23 XLT Hybrid barely a month ago and haven’t really driven it since then (has not seen rain or snow here either). I’ve seen other MTC complaints of rust but never seen completely unpainted spindles. Anyone else’s like this? The closest I’ve seen is machined sections of the spindles, like at the tie rods, that were not re-painted after machining. Other photos on MTC show spindles that are otherwise painted (black) all over, except the small sections machined at mounting points.

I realize it’s just orange surface rust at this point but jeez! I live in Minnesota too. Needless to say, I won’t be leaving them like this. They will either get painted with rust converter, Fluid Film, or both.

Yes they are that orange!

Vehicles rust,you may be able to slow It down a bit but you can't stop it. I live in Michigan and my 14 year old ram I bought new has a rusty undercarriage.hoping to get another 10 years out of it.and, hopefully 15 years out of my maverick also. Don't stress it

 

[Old Fart]

Rust is actually a good thing, it seals the metal to prevent more oxidation, guns didn't always have Blueing on them, they were shipped "In The White" or bare metal so the recipient could choose the finish they wanted. Many were allowed to develop a rust patina to seal the outside of the gun, then it was wiped down with oil to maintain the rust blued finish. I've owned several antique shotguns that were "Rust Blued." Blueing is an acid oxidation that leaves the blue-black finish behind.

 

[Optimus]

My custom blueing will be Fluid Film at this point . I spent yesterday and today removing splash shield and other bits, masking things off, and got about 3/4 of it undercoated so far. Will finish up the rest this afternoon.

Having lived nowhere but in MN, I am more than fluent in rust, and what I can do to avoid it. But my Mav is the first I’ve seen with unpainted spindles.

Thus my original question if anyone else seeing unpainted spindles, as it may be another sign of cutting costs….

 

[CajunMick]

Nothing change with Ford not painting suspension parts. You see, in 2011, just brought a F250. . When I got home, I was carefully scoping out the truck. The one thing that surprised me was many parts of the suspension and front steering linkages rusting! Even the driveshaft. WTH.

Ford didn’t coat key suspension and steering parts. So to pretty it up, got couple cans of spray pain, got under the truck, painted anything with surface rust.

I haven’t checked my new Maverick XLT truck yet. I would be afraid to…cause it might make me rattle some cans. LoL

 

[Maverickman74]

this is the first vehicle I have ever had with painted spindles. My 96 Bronco is my newest and they were never painted.

 

[Optimus]

Fluid filmed (whole truck). Technically, I used Woolwax though it’s maybe not as well known as Fluid Film. Woolwax is slightly thicker consistency. I touch up annually, and it protects very, very well. Been using these products for years on our other vehicles.

 

[Motorjunkie]

See pics below. Just got our ‘23 XLT Hybrid barely a month ago and haven’t really driven it since then (has not seen rain or snow here either). I’ve seen other MTC complaints of rust but never seen completely unpainted spindles. Anyone else’s like this? The closest I’ve seen is machined sections of the spindles, like at the tie rods, that were not re-painted after machining. Other photos on MTC show spindles that are otherwise painted (black) all over, except the small sections machined at mounting points.

I realize it’s just orange surface rust at this point but jeez! I live in Minnesota too. Needless to say, I won’t be leaving them like this. They will either get painted with rust converter, Fluid Film, or both.

Yes they are that orange!

The USS building in Pittsburgh was designed to rust. As previously mentioned, many other parts will fail before the spindle will. But yes, it is a tad fluorescent!

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