Driveshaft Rusting

[Masa]

Hello. My almost 1.5 months old Titan's driveshaft looks like a piece of bear metal that's been in the ocean for 5 years... It's rusting severly. It doesn't look like it was painted to begin with. Is this normal? My previous vehicles' were always painted black... Many thanks in advance.

[37L1]

Originally Posted by Masa

Hello. My almost 1.5 months old Titan's driveshaft looks like a piece of bear metal that's been in the ocean for 5 years... It's rusting severly. It doesn't look like it was painted to begin with. Is this normal? My previous vehicles' were always painted black... Many thanks in advance.

You mean like this? Photo taken March 25. I wouldn't worry about it.

37L1

[greg w]

That photo is way different than my driveshaft. Mine is at least twice that diameter, is aluminum and stamped with ALCOA-L SEAMLESS 6...
I have the 4x4 CC offroad. Is that the difference?

[37L1]

Originally Posted by greg w

That photo is way different than my driveshaft. Mine is at least twice that diameter, is aluminum and stamped with ALCOA-L SEAMLESS 6...
I have the 4x4 CC offroad. Is that the difference?

I would guess since you have a forward transfer case.

37L1

[greg w]

Your right I do. I thought they may have used steel on the big tow.

[bestatchess]

I think the 2wd also uses a splined booted section w/center carrier not found in 4x4 (because of transfer case).

[greg w]

Originally Posted by bestatchess

I think the 2wd also uses a splined booted section w/center carrier not found in 4x4 (because of transfer case).

off subject but radar hardwire you wanted.
radar hardwire

hope it's what you wanted

[Masa]

Originally Posted by 37L1

You mean like this? Photo taken March 25. I wouldn't worry about it.

37L1

Yes, that's exactly how mine looks. Thanks! I happened to stop by the dealership yesterday to let the service departement know that they put a ding on my Titan's door last week. They'll fill the ding, paint the area, and put clear coat on the door. Unfortunately, the ding cannot be fixed by paintless dent-out deal because of where it is... Anyway, the service manager says he doesn't know why the shaft is not being painted, but there's nothing to worry about.

[bestatchess]

Maybe they don't paint it because they want it to color coordinate with the burned up differentials.

[greg w]

Originally Posted by bestatchess

Maybe they don't paint it because they want it to color coordinate with the burned up differentials.

Very good


I'm just going to consider mine an upgrade billet driveshaft

[Potroast]

Rust is so bad tho! That settles it for me, I'd be putting undercoating on when I got it off the lot!!! Doesn't everyone remember the datsuns? Rust is a HUGE problem for nissan, it seems.

[IMADOGMAN]

Originally Posted by Potroast

Rust is so bad tho! That settles it for me, I'd be putting undercoating on when I got it off the lot!!! Doesn't everyone remember the datsuns? Rust is a HUGE problem for nissan, it seems.

Don't spray the driveshaft, unless you want to create an unbalance / vibration...Maybe an even coat of spray paint...but not undercoating.

[Potroast]

okay, then I'll just primer it... But I can't see how anyone can say rust is normal!?!?!

[IMADOGMAN]

Originally Posted by Potroast

okay, then I'll just primer it... But I can't see how anyone can say rust is normal!?!?!

Iron oxide (aka rust) is sometimes used as a protectant against further oxidation, and is sometimes part of an engineering design on buildings and bridges...You will never rust your driveshaft away...but it doesn't look too cool...
IMHO, undecoating holds moisture between the body parts and the undercoating. If there is any way for moisture to get in, your rust problem will be worse. You may also void your body rust through warranty by applying it...ask your dealer. They will probably try to tell you that only the dealer installed rustproofing is covered. I prefer to be able to pressure was the undercarriage occasionally (they use salt here in the wintertime on the roads). I wouldn't want to trap any of that stuff where it wouldn't flush out, or dry out...
You make the call...

[Potroast]

sorry, I cannot accept that reasoning. That's like saying that a spray-in bedliner traps water and causes more of a problem than a drop-in bedliner.