Damn, that sucks. But $300 is pretty good to have a dealer-quality repair done. I always tell people to get their rides oil sprayed with a drippy oil spray-dripless is useless IMO. Although I have seen them rust there even when oil sprayed, not sure why that pad is there, maybe just to keep the body shop busy?

 

Well, $300.00 was just for the parts. I will need to have the fender painted at a shop and install it myself. The dealer didn't lose any money on me, as they just gave me "repair shop" pricing on the parts. Hopefully they will be able to match the paint close to original, as I don't want to get into blending the door and hood. I think the purpose of the pad is to make the fender sound more solid when you knock on it, like dynamat. As a consequence, it holds in moisture and salt promoting rot. I agree 100%...the only thing that has a chance of saving these things from rust is messy oil spray. But even then, there is a space you can't get oil to, but salt and moisture can.

 

I had lots of rust issues with 09 and documented it all with dodge early on starting at 1500 miles. They wouldn't warranty any of the work. I told them they will be having lots of issues and it will kill this Ram business eventually. My history is documented on here. I've seen a lot driving around with similar issues. I got rid of her it was so bad. Good luck.

 

I don't blame you for selling yours off. I can't imagine how bad mine would look if I had never oil sprayed it. I was under it Saturday and there is not any notable rust on the sheetmetal thanks to old oil and a huge mess in the driveway. Obviously Chrysler doesn't want these vehicles to not rust, especially with a lifetime powertrain warranty. Unfortunately for them, mine will be around for a while.

 

So far so good with my sheet metal, but my painted rear bumper is starting to go. I keep things as clean as I can too.

 

You want to see fender rust? I'll show you fender rust. 2011 ram 1500.

Does it count as a perforation? Or a gaping chasm?

2011 ram 1500 bullet hole




2011 ram 1500 bullet hole




2011 ram 1500 box side rot

 

Sheesh! What did the dealer say about that one?

 

Yikes!!!

 

Xxaler, you aren't the only one. I've seen a few trucks with this rust problem in the same spot. I have seen hundreds with fender/wheel well rust.

 

My 2011 Sport is
rusting around the sensors in the rear bumper. It hasn't "perforated" yet so the warranty doesn't cover it. The whole underside of the painted bumper looks like hell with rust. Everything else seems ok. And no, I never wash it in winter or park it in a garage.