Rust Experts needed

[Danny Ramirez]

Why did they bother switching to iron from aluminum.. sounds like a step in the wrong direction.

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[doug910]

It doesn't look normal for me in a California car. Not sure about all the claims that they switched materials, does anyone have a source for that?

To me, it looks like you got a bad batch of bolts that started to rust and thus spread to the control arms and knuckles. It looks to be cosmetic, but eff that, if a dealer will replace it under rust warranty I'll 100% take it. You did the right thing OP, hopefully dealer sets it right for you.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Why did they bother switching to iron from aluminum.. sounds like a step in the wrong direction.

Canada supplies a crap ton of aluminium to the U.S. - some government folks thought it would be a good idea to put a 25% tariff on Canadian aluminum to help U.S. aluminum sales and to nudge the NAFTA/USMCA negotiations along.

The only problem was that domestic supply couldn’t meet demand and U.S. manufacturers weren’t willing to pay the higher price and pass it on to consumers. Those that could pivot to other materials, did.

But, no, that couldn’t have happened here, could it - governments always act in the best interests of the people, right?

 

[Danny Ramirez]

my rangers front axels were surface rusted when I bought my truck new in California.. glad those arnt aluminum lol but I sort of wish they were coated

 

[Trigganometry]

You can buy the aluminum ones but they’re about $120 ea. Or, rust proof the cast iron ones and paint them with por-15 paint and forget about it

 

[Cape Cruiser]

OP let your dealer look at it. Not all advice is accurate on here. I would think they would be cast steel not iron. I also think the aluminum and steel are not interchangeable as they have different ball joint tapers.

 

[D Fresh]

OP let your dealer look at it. Not all advice is accurate on here. I would think they would be cast steel not iron. I also think the aluminum and steel are not interchangeable as they have different ball joint tapers.

Not sure about your first point but I am pretty sure you're right on the ball joint tapers.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Not sure about your first point but I am pretty sure you're right on the ball joint tapers.

Hey Doug, the first point?

The one about advice on the forum or the one about cast steel?

Because Bret’s point about not all advice on here being accurate is, well, accurate.

 

[D Fresh]

Hey Doug, the first point?

The one about advice on the forum or the one about cast steel?

Because Bret’s point about not all advice on here being accurate is, well, accurate.

You're absolutely right.

I took his first point, about advice here, as a KNOWN FACT to all.

But yes, cast iron vs cast steel, I have no idea.

 

[LoneRNGR]

I also think the aluminum and steel are not interchangeable as they have different ball joint tapers.

I noticed that some suspension kit manufacturers are putting disclaimers that say their products are only compatible with Rangers that have aluminum knuckles. So the design is probably different. You probably can’t even swap the steel/iron version to the previous aluminum design.

 

[Cape Cruiser]

FWIW not trying to get in a pissing contest here but cast iron would fracture easily under a shock load and cast steel would tend to bend and not break off. All manufacturers are seeing this type of rust and many of these components will outlive all of us. Poor OP posts and thinks he made a 35K bad decision buying his truck over posts of maybe wrecked or ebay parts or passing off as improvements. Many anti corrosion sprays out there as some have posted. Opinions are like brown eyes-everyone has one. Best thing for Op is to let dealer look at it to ease his mind. My 19 has aluminum and my 20 has cast steel . Im sure as @Duke has stated due to short supply of aluminum during covid and tarriff negotiations.

 

[HDA]

Two dealerships told me to take a chill pill.

Got some rust neutralizer and caked it on and scrubbed it until my arm was sore. Here are the results.;

I feel better, will keep an eye on it. But it seems it wasn’t a big deal after all.

The 21 F150 forums are on fire with rust problems which didn’t help me keep my cool. But it’s all good, for now.

 

[Cape Cruiser]

Two dealerships told me to take a chill pill.

Got some rust neutralizer and caked it on and scrubbed it until my arm was sore. Here are the results.;

I feel better, will keep an eye on it. But it seems it wasn’t a big deal after all.

The 21 F150 forums are on fire with rust problems which didn’t help me keep my cool. But it’s all good, for now.

Glad it worked out Hector

 

[LoneRNGR]

I’m glad to hear that. Did they say anything about this nut?

 

[Trigganometry]

I noticed that some suspension kit manufacturers are putting disclaimers that say their products are only compatible with Rangers that have aluminum knuckles. So the design is probably different. You probably can’t even swap the steel/iron version to the previous aluminum design.

True but, if I were to replace my UCA’s then I would change over to the aluminum ones in a heartbeat

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