I just recently bought my 03 cts. It is very clean and has barely signs of wear and tear. No rust on body but the other day I was doing an oil change and saw that where the unibody is welded to the subframe is almost completely rusted out. It is exactly in the same place on both sides, right behind the front wheels when it starts to curve up. The rest of the underbody has no rust issues at all! It is past the mileage for the rust warranty. Anyone come across this or have any suggestions?? Please help!
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BEWARE OF SCAMMERS. Anyone trying to get your money should be checked out BEFORE you send anything anywhere.
CadiFTW
you know you need to post a warning with a post that long :thehand:
On a side note there is a way to get GM attntion simply post as many pictures on the web clearly annotated with meta data showing the year mile on the car and tags like 'COMMON CTS RUST ISSUE' 'DAMAGED FRAME GM DANGEROUS' 'OMG MY CADILLAC CTS 05 BROKE IN HALF" for them the bad publicity is worth a pay off on an individual basis. One of the few times I'm glad I'm in Cali
On a side note there is a way to get GM attntion simply post as many pictures on the web clearly annotated with meta data showing the year mile on the car and tags like 'COMMON CTS RUST ISSUE' 'DAMAGED FRAME GM DANGEROUS' 'OMG MY CADILLAC CTS 05 BROKE IN HALF" for them the bad publicity is worth a pay off on an individual basis. One of the few times I'm glad I'm in Cali
I'm having to cut and repair a section on my frame right where it bends up to clear front lower a arm. There are threaded holes in the frame that are not used. It seems as if they collect moisture, and rust out. The frame is filled with foam, so it's going to be a bitch to weld repair panel in place.
Re: Frame rust 2004 CTS-V
Part of the problem is people are jacking on those frame rails without any sort of pad. At least put a piece of wood between the jackstand and the frame rail. You can see on that rust spot where its pushed in, probably from someone improperly jacking it up. Thats going to crack the paint and cause rust.
Part of the problem is people are jacking on those frame rails without any sort of pad. At least put a piece of wood between the jackstand and the frame rail. You can see on that rust spot where its pushed in, probably from someone improperly jacking it up. Thats going to crack the paint and cause rust.
Rusted underbody 2003 CTS
Hi everyone, new here and wanted to find out from others if they have had underbody rusting issues.
Both my frame rail and jack point are rusted fairly bad. The one jack point is completely rotted out.
Others have the same problem and has anyone ever tried to fix it?
Does anyone know if this will cause issues with Saftey? I bought a new car and am selling it.
It's a shame cause the car looks brand new.
2003 CTS
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Hi everyone, new here and wanted to find out from others if they have had underbody rusting issues.
Both my frame rail and jack point are rusted fairly bad. The one jack point is completely rotted out.
Others have the same problem and has anyone ever tried to fix it?
Does anyone know if this will cause issues with Saftey? I bought a new car and am selling it.
It's a shame cause the car looks brand new.
2003 CTS
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Re: Rusted underbody 2003 CTS
The fact that you're located in an extremely high-use winter road chemical area is the reason.
...............freshwater rinses would have prevented a LOT of that rusting. Yes, a royal PITA for vehicle maintenance, but part of the cost of ownership. I daresay that the lower edges of the doors and fenderwell crimp seams will soon rust through. Look for the telltale paint blistering signs .........
If a prospective private buyer has a good mechanic inspect the car he'll knock off 25% of your asking price from the get-go. No idea what a dealership will do - probably lowball the trade and send the car to auction - regardless of any "upgrades".
The fact that you're located in an extremely high-use winter road chemical area is the reason.
...............freshwater rinses would have prevented a LOT of that rusting. Yes, a royal PITA for vehicle maintenance, but part of the cost of ownership. I daresay that the lower edges of the doors and fenderwell crimp seams will soon rust through. Look for the telltale paint blistering signs .........
If a prospective private buyer has a good mechanic inspect the car he'll knock off 25% of your asking price from the get-go. No idea what a dealership will do - probably lowball the trade and send the car to auction - regardless of any "upgrades".
Re: Rusted underbody 2003 CTS
I would not feel comfortable selling that car without either full disclosure of the degradation to the buyer or having it repaired (if even possible) beforehand.
I live in what is not so kindly referred to as the "rust belt". We see cars like this every day here.
Sub is right, too- if you are not diligent about removing these chemicals and salt from your vehicle it will come back to haunt you. I usually spend more time washing the underside of my vehicles than the topside in the winter months.
I would not feel comfortable selling that car without either full disclosure of the degradation to the buyer or having it repaired (if even possible) beforehand.
I live in what is not so kindly referred to as the "rust belt". We see cars like this every day here.
Sub is right, too- if you are not diligent about removing these chemicals and salt from your vehicle it will come back to haunt you. I usually spend more time washing the underside of my vehicles than the topside in the winter months.
Re: Rusted underbody 2003 CTS
Thanks for the reply guys. Yeah I have definitely been telling people about rust issues on the underbody and the possibility of safety issues. I also did wash the car often in the winter...but didn't help. Need to make sure to rust proof the new car.
Re: Rusted underbody 2003 CTS
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Thanks for the reply guys. Yeah I have definitely been telling people about rust issues on the underbody and the possibility of safety issues. I also did wash the car often in the winter...but didn't help. Need to make sure to rust proof the new car.
Re: Rusted underbody 2003 CTS
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Re: Rusted underbody 2003 CTS
How much does the chassis twist when you jack up one corner of the car? Do you get a lot of groans, creaks or popping when you go over a bump or turn? Are there signs of paint chipping on the door sills? Its not going to be as strong as new obviously but nobody would buy this car thinking it conforms to 2017 safety standards either. The holes I see aren't in the frame rail. It looks like the pinch weld is just gone and thats basically thin gauge steel. The frame rails look to be in better shape but obviously rusty too. There's a lot of cars way worse than that out there on the road in Minnesota unfortunately. I think you can sell the car, you'd just have to tell them it has some rust underneath. Now if its actually been in collision, air bags deployed, brakes don't work, air bags don't work etc, thats a different story.
How much does the chassis twist when you jack up one corner of the car? Do you get a lot of groans, creaks or popping when you go over a bump or turn? Are there signs of paint chipping on the door sills? Its not going to be as strong as new obviously but nobody would buy this car thinking it conforms to 2017 safety standards either. The holes I see aren't in the frame rail. It looks like the pinch weld is just gone and thats basically thin gauge steel. The frame rails look to be in better shape but obviously rusty too. There's a lot of cars way worse than that out there on the road in Minnesota unfortunately. I think you can sell the car, you'd just have to tell them it has some rust underneath. Now if its actually been in collision, air bags deployed, brakes don't work, air bags don't work etc, thats a different story.
Re: Rusted underbody 2003 CTS
It looks bad - but maybe there is a chance you can stop if you clean it down completely and pour some anti-corrosion treatment on the whole underbody by some authorized workshop. If it is too rusty however the treatment will fall off and rust continues.
I always treated mine (2004 model) and drive it in Denmark where you have 0 deg C and huge amounts of salt all winter.
At the last treatment in November I was told there is no rust whatsoever. Took some pictures when I put on the friction tires for winter. You can clearly see the coating, golden colour. I use something called PAVA.
Rear suspension
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Top of wheel house rear
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Wheel house and to the right the plating on the edge of the wheel house (normally probe to corrode)
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Such treatment need be done every second year. My experience is once every 3-4 years is completely ok.
I pay around 800 usd for such treatment (takes two days due to cleaning and pre-treatment).
In this stupid country where cars are more expensive than Singapore it is absolutely worth the money.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It looks bad - but maybe there is a chance you can stop if you clean it down completely and pour some anti-corrosion treatment on the whole underbody by some authorized workshop. If it is too rusty however the treatment will fall off and rust continues.
I always treated mine (2004 model) and drive it in Denmark where you have 0 deg C and huge amounts of salt all winter.
At the last treatment in November I was told there is no rust whatsoever. Took some pictures when I put on the friction tires for winter. You can clearly see the coating, golden colour. I use something called PAVA.
Rear suspension
Top of wheel house rear
Wheel house and to the right the plating on the edge of the wheel house (normally probe to corrode)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
----------
Such treatment need be done every second year. My experience is once every 3-4 years is completely ok.
I pay around 800 usd for such treatment (takes two days due to cleaning and pre-treatment).
In this stupid country where cars are more expensive than Singapore it is absolutely worth the money.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Rusted underbody 2003 CTS
Yes - thats it Mandrake. You need around 85 cans of this stuff and full body and air breathing protection then you are going
It has been discussed here in Denmark if it pays off. Also during the treatment they drill holes in the structural members of the car and fill cavities with this stuff - after which they plug it again. Even inside doors and in the engine compartment (smells terrible when engine gets warm).
But it very evident that it works. I have a friend with a 2001 BMW/Alpina 330i w/compressor which also is like new due to this stuff. Thats quite amazing after so many years. Our roads are white from salt 6 months a year.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes - thats it Mandrake. You need around 85 cans of this stuff and full body and air breathing protection then you are going
It has been discussed here in Denmark if it pays off. Also during the treatment they drill holes in the structural members of the car and fill cavities with this stuff - after which they plug it again. Even inside doors and in the engine compartment (smells terrible when engine gets warm).
But it very evident that it works. I have a friend with a 2001 BMW/Alpina 330i w/compressor which also is like new due to this stuff. Thats quite amazing after so many years. Our roads are white from salt 6 months a year.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Rusted underbody 2003 CTS
That sounds like a good product or treatment for your car. We have the same issues with salt here but generally we just let the car rust away because they aren't that expensive. If I had to pay Singapore prices, I'm guessing this Cadillac would be $60,000 used, I think I'd pay to have the same rust protection treatment done. I'd probably just not own a car, use public transit and get a more reasonable hobby like geocaching or something.
That sounds like a good product or treatment for your car. We have the same issues with salt here but generally we just let the car rust away because they aren't that expensive. If I had to pay Singapore prices, I'm guessing this Cadillac would be $60,000 used, I think I'd pay to have the same rust protection treatment done. I'd probably just not own a car, use public transit and get a more reasonable hobby like geocaching or something.
Need local Minneapols welding Shop
Need local Minneapols welding Shop, anyone know any?
Sorry to respond to such a old post, but I am in the same boat you once were. Just bought a 2004 CTS and have the same damn issue. I can't believe this isn't a full blown recall. Any info or tips you could send my way would be much appreciated. Ill include a couple pics of my rotting frame.
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Need local Minneapols welding Shop, anyone know any?
Sorry to respond to such a old post, but I am in the same boat you once were. Just bought a 2004 CTS and have the same damn issue. I can't believe this isn't a full blown recall. Any info or tips you could send my way would be much appreciated. Ill include a couple pics of my rotting frame.
Attachments
Man, that's ugly! Hope you took a look under the car before buying it and thus got a good deal.
I am curious what the story is behind these rust issues. Clearly, when it does happen, it's severe. But it seems to be quite rare. So what's different about the cars that it has happened to? I don't think it's just a matter of cars being in the "rust belt", because if that was it then we would see a lot more reports of problems.
If you search online, you can find similar reports for SRXs and STSs, which were based on the same platform. Again, seems to be a rare problem, but when it happens, it's pretty nasty.
EDIT: Merged in a couple of other threads reporting the same issue.
I am curious what the story is behind these rust issues. Clearly, when it does happen, it's severe. But it seems to be quite rare. So what's different about the cars that it has happened to? I don't think it's just a matter of cars being in the "rust belt", because if that was it then we would see a lot more reports of problems.
If you search online, you can find similar reports for SRXs and STSs, which were based on the same platform. Again, seems to be a rare problem, but when it happens, it's pretty nasty.
EDIT: Merged in a couple of other threads reporting the same issue.
There will be no recall on this. It is common for MANY cars that are in wet, colder, or snowy climates. The water from the road is constantly thrown up to the frame in that specific location by the tires. So over time, the water and salts from the roads eat away at the frame. That is also the lowest level of the car, so all the water and moisture from different locations will run down the frame from the inside and out to that lowest point. That makes it the number one spot for rust since it is the most constantly soaked part of the car.
Yes, we know you have the same issue, because your posts about it are in this thread - look up a few posts.
As for finding a shop, you're going to have to ask around. Check your area for race / fabrication shops, places that do welding for roll cages, suspensions, off-roading, etc. Go to your local NAPA / Autozone / Advance Auto / whatever and ask the folks behind the counter. (You'll probably have to ask more than one, since a significant portion of auto parts store employees are no better than fast food employees when it comes to knowing about cars.)
As for finding a shop, you're going to have to ask around. Check your area for race / fabrication shops, places that do welding for roll cages, suspensions, off-roading, etc. Go to your local NAPA / Autozone / Advance Auto / whatever and ask the folks behind the counter. (You'll probably have to ask more than one, since a significant portion of auto parts store employees are no better than fast food employees when it comes to knowing about cars.)
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