Toyota Tacoma Rust Problem Demo

Toyota Rusting Away in California

We’ve all heard or experienced rust problems from cars and trucks that live in the Rustbelt region of the U.S. The combination of long wet seasons and road salt dumped heavily on the highways in the region provides the perfect chemical oxidation reaction that eats away at metal frames literally disintegrating a vehicle’s structural integrity.

As such, it makes good sense to shy away from vehicles with a Rustbelt history and focus more on used vehicles in the sunnier non-road salt climes of the Southwest including California. However, this is not always true as recently shown in a Toyota Maintenance YouTube channel where the host does a Show ‘n Tell of what looks like a perfectly well-kept 2006 Tacoma with only 94,000 miles on an engine with a potential Toyota Tacoma design flaw we learned about earlier.

Related article: Used Toyota 4Runner Walk Around Demo

Oceanside Problems

In the demonstration we learn that the owner of the Tacoma lives close enough to the ocean where the salty air carries to his vehicle and has begun a slow but sure gradual rusting away of the subframe assembly and of the CV axle shaft and the front brake system making it difficult for his wheels to spin.

So, when is too much rust, too much rust when considering buying a used vehicle that shows signs of rust? Basically, you have to determine whether you are looking at surface rust or rust that goes deeper.

With surface rust you can just wipe a rag across the metal and notice whether you are causing a smear revealing otherwise clean, smooth metal beneath. However, if you are finding serious pitting that a little rubbing will not clear away the rust beneath, then you are looking at a problem. Especially if you find holes eaten into the thinner metal subframe assembly as shown in the demo.

Don’t have a rag handy? Then take one of those Harbor Freight folding flashlights infamous for their overly strong magnet end and see if the magnet pulls any flaked rust away. If it’s flaking, it’s failing.

That said, watch this short demo video posted below and learn why even the cleanest looking vehicle on the outside can have a surprising amount of damage on the underside. Just like people.

Related article: Toyota Tacoma Common Problems

And finally…

For additional articles related to prepurchase vehicle inspecting, here are three selected ones for your consideration:

• Learn to Inspect That Used Car Like a Car Care Nut
• Don’t Buy a Car Like This One Warns Toyota Mechanic
• Consumer Reports Warns Used Car Buyers About Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Car Scams

Timothy Boyer is Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for new and used vehicle news.

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Image Source: Pixabay