R50/53 Rust issues on all front end suspension parts Yikes! part 3 Part 2
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Rust issues on all front end suspension parts Yikes! part 3 Part 2
Jacked the car up as high as I could get it and and took several more pics. This batch is from the passenger side. The oil leak may have been a blessing in disguise. Let me know the verdict. The photos from the left side can be found in volume 3 of this post. It is the only way I can get them up. If someone can tell me how to downsize them I would be most appreciative. Maybe this batch will upload.
Okay, that failed too. Any ideas? Looks like resizing didn't work either
ng didn't shrink the image, it cut it in half...
Personally - Aside from the rusted control arm, bracket and bushing components; I had expected worse.
Replacing the control arm components are obvious.
You can go as far as replacing the outer tie rod's, drop links also. The axles appear to be rust pitted too. The CV boots don't appear to be torn or leaking grease. (?).
'not sure about the ball joints but I can assure you that they don't get better with age [sorry for sarcasm].
The undercarriage; especially around the PS cooling fan, doesn't look too bad/saturated with oil. Check your PS fluid level just to be sure it's not leaking fluid.
It seems only obvious to me that the oil leak is emminating frontm the oil filter housing and cooler gaskets. Common on these 1st Gen R53.
I don't know if you intend to do some of the work yourself but if you feel the tie rods and axles are in goold working order - You might try spraying the rusted components with SKYCO OSPHO rust neutralizer/converter and a wire brush. Then apply a good soaking of PB Blaster. You might be surprised... (that is of course assuming that the parts aren't worn out).
Personally, being a DIY'er - this level of rust doesn't bother me. As long is the price is right - It would not dissuade me from buying the car.
Service records would be my deciding factor...
But that's just me talking here.
Replacing the control arm components are obvious.
You can go as far as replacing the outer tie rod's, drop links also. The axles appear to be rust pitted too. The CV boots don't appear to be torn or leaking grease. (?).
'not sure about the ball joints but I can assure you that they don't get better with age [sorry for sarcasm].
The undercarriage; especially around the PS cooling fan, doesn't look too bad/saturated with oil. Check your PS fluid level just to be sure it's not leaking fluid.
It seems only obvious to me that the oil leak is emminating frontm the oil filter housing and cooler gaskets. Common on these 1st Gen R53.
I don't know if you intend to do some of the work yourself but if you feel the tie rods and axles are in goold working order - You might try spraying the rusted components with SKYCO OSPHO rust neutralizer/converter and a wire brush. Then apply a good soaking of PB Blaster. You might be surprised... (that is of course assuming that the parts aren't worn out).
Personally, being a DIY'er - this level of rust doesn't bother me. As long is the price is right - It would not dissuade me from buying the car.
Service records would be my deciding factor...
But that's just me talking here.
Last edited by Here2Go; May 19, 2026 at 01:57 PM.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 339
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As someone from west Europe I don't see anything alarming. Yes it has surface rust but nothing too crazy. The oil leak seems bad but for a diy-er it's cheap to fix in parts.
As you are looking to sell I wouldn't bother doing these as it's going to cost you a lot because of labour prices these days. Just point it out in the ad and to the buyer.
As you are looking to sell I wouldn't bother doing these as it's going to cost you a lot because of labour prices these days. Just point it out in the ad and to the buyer.
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