HELP.....Ive just bought a Terrano and something important fell off!

celt_xplorer · 08-09-2013, 22:18

Hi

Im new here and to Terrano ownership (2003 2.7 Sport LWB). Its pretty clean with less than 100K. After 14 hours of ownership I decided to clean up the chassis (visible @ rear arches). Took off wheels & with a (hand) wire brush started cleaning surface rust. That's when it happened....the head of one of two bolts securing rear axle bracket to the chassis fell to the floor when touched with the brush, rotten through.

Not such a big problem except it screws into a captive nut....INSIDE the chassis. Interesting design. So are the 20mm holes allowing road dirt in, building up over time, never drying out & rotting everything from the inside.
I wont describe the detail but I cut a section of chassis allowing access to the inside, chiseled off the captive nut & replaced, welding the section back in. When I was in there, I used the shop vac to suck the crud out (with a length of garden hose to get right along).

I now plan to waxoyl everything...inside & out.

Is this a common problem or was I unlucky?.....otherwise the car seems ok

08-09-2013, 22:18	#1
celt_xplorer Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: N Ireland Vehicle: nissan terrano 2.7 sport Posts: 2	HELP.....Ive just bought a Terrano and something important fell off! Hi Im new here and to Terrano ownership (2003 2.7 Sport LWB). Its pretty clean with less than 100K. After 14 hours of ownership I decided to clean up the chassis (visible @ rear arches). Took off wheels & with a (hand) wire brush started cleaning surface rust. That's when it happened....the head of one of two bolts securing rear axle bracket to the chassis fell to the floor when touched with the brush, rotten through. Not such a big problem except it screws into a captive nut....INSIDE the chassis. Interesting design. So are the 20mm holes allowing road dirt in, building up over time, never drying out & rotting everything from the inside. I wont describe the detail but I cut a section of chassis allowing access to the inside, chiseled off the captive nut & replaced, welding the section back in. When I was in there, I used the shop vac to suck the crud out (with a length of garden hose to get right along). I now plan to waxoyl everything...inside & out. Is this a common problem or was I unlucky?.....otherwise the car seems ok