I was changing the oil in my '11 450 last night(love the 1/4 turn drain plug btw) and noticed what I thought was a rather high amount of rust under the truck. I live in TN and we had 4 big snow events this year and I rinsed the truck off regularly. The rust is on the steering arm, driveshafts, diff covers and the calipers were starting to show signs of it too. Here's a picture of the steering arm:


Anyone else having this? Is it normal? I don't remember it happening on my '08 450, but it kept popping radiators so rust was the least of my worries...

Thanks!

 

Wow a new truck and this much rust. Mine doesn't have it and we had a few storms this year also, although ive got many other issues with mine. Sorry to see. Good luck

 

Looks like my last new Dodge when I drove it off the lot (joking, but not by much). I coated my rig with Fluid Film before Winter and need to crawl under and see how she is looking. We will see if the $100 I spent was worth it or not.

 

I wish I could laugh at this!

 

It may not look nice, but you could keep that truck for 20 years and never have that rust affect those parts other than appearance.

 

I noticed this on my 04 in the first year. It is no worse for wear to this day.

 

Mine looks the same...I live in SW Ohio

 

I was thinking that it was probably the type of steel that rusts a bit to protect itself and then is done rusting, just wanted to see what others were experiencing. Thanks!

 

Mine looks the same.

 

I'm betting you will be happy. Looked under mine after a winter in the northeast and it still looks nice... I did get a case of paranoia in February and went under and touched up anything that looked like it was wearing off. I'll see if I can get a picture posted later today.

 

The rate at which rust forms is impacted by numerous variables not the least of which is the deicing agents used by road maintenance crews. Salt + humidity + high temps accelerate the process to a much greater degree. Rust formation in terms of volume vs time, graphically looks like fishing rod with a big marlin on the end - in other words it gets to a point where it can no longer chemically react since the surface rust actually blocks further oxidation.

Your surface rust looks pretty normal on those parts.

 

I'd say its normal. Those parts rust but they never rust through. More so of a protective layer. Worry when the painted parts rust.

 

My truck also shows a certain amount of rust in those areas. I agree with others that it is normal and will not be a problem.

 

Mine looks almost like that and I live in the SW with no snow and very little rain. I'm gonna clean it up and paint it. I too was a little disappointed being I've only had the truck for three weeks.

 

I don't understand what you guys are so disappointed in. This is nothing to worry about... completely normal and not the result of any sort of shortcoming or failure in engineering