Corrosion in front of rear wheel arch

[TomPaine]

I have a patch of rust at the base of the column behind the rear doors / in front of the wheel arch. Pic (hopefully) attached. It's the same both sides. It was there I think at last year's MOT though I don't remember it featuring in the advisories; it's looking worse though. (Stationary) 9-5s aren't common enough these days for me to have checked too many, though the couple of a similar age which I encountered over the weekend didn't have this. Does anyone else out there? I don't know how worried to be.

[sgould]

It’s quite common. A cut-out and weld is the permanent solution.  There are pre-made sections available.  Bill at www.Saabits.com lists them but he is showing “out of stock ”at the moment.  But maybe worth a call.

https://www.saabits.com/saab-9-5-rear-dog-leg-repair-panel-lh

But you may be able to delay things with some cleaning up and rust killer.

[Steve McF]

I can vouch for the Bilthamber Hydrate 80 rust converter, although it you are looking to try to slow the corrosion down as much as possible, I wonder it is is worth drilling into the box section from behind the wheelarch liner, and tryintg to spray some on the inside as well?

[TomPaine]

Thanks gents. Annual service and MOT are due next month so I'll discuss options with Ian at Saabtech in the hope that he can do something ameliorative.

It's an odd and frustrating issue, as I can't see so much as a speck of corrosion anywhere else.

[carrera]

You can pull the protective plastic body parts out of the way and get the Bilt Hamber in with a 1" brush from the rear. You may find that the flat metal plate that is revealed has a hole... but it's probably quite difficult to do unless you have the car on a ramp.

Very common & I do preventative treatment before every MOT these days, same on the rear inner arches

[TomPaine]

Thanks carrera. I'll report back at service time in a couple of weeks.

[sgould]

I've just seen this. Lots of repair panels listed.  esaabparts is an American site, but they should be available anywhere.  If there's a problem, check with Bill Jones at www.Saabits.com

https://www.esaabparts.com/saab/parts/32022052

[TomPaine]

As a footnote to this: it wasn't even flagged as an advisory at the MOT so I am going to leave it for another year. Ian at Saabtech advises that it wouldn't affect the chassis as such, and that there are some "scabs" of rust underneath which may need a bit of attention next year, at which point his welding guy could take a look at the lot. As other threads disclose I have enough other things to worry about: ACC compressor, ABS warning lights etc.

[sgould]

The only serious rust that I have had to deal with on my Dame Edna is the rear crossbar behind the fuel tank.  And the top of the tailgate where rust crept out from under the rubber seal. There is now some bubbling in the paint between the tailgate and the sharkfin.  I don't count the dreadful state of the towbar which needed removing, wire brushing and repainting, not long after I bought the car.  So it was bad a year after being fitted by the original owner.

Are  you currently in touch with Saabtech?  I heard that the premises were closed.

[TomPaine]

Are  you currently in touch with Saabtech?  I heard that the premises were closed.

No, not closed - Saabtech [Welwyn] downsized and moved nearby and became Cartech [Welwyn], but Ian still works mostly on Saabs. I'm personally quite happy with the development as it means you get Ian on the car, and I think he's as good as it gets.

I have found that now it's him and a part-time receptionist the phone sometimes doesn't get answered or goes to voicemail, which might have created that impression - but he's still very busy.

[sgould]

Thanks!  I was told by a couple of local guys that the old premises were "abandoned".  Then someone else said that he had moved nearby.  Nice to have it confirmed.

[TomPaine]

Oh indeed Ian relocated a couple of years ago. The rent at the old Brownfields apparently got silly, and he's much happier having downsized.

FWIW he's now at Unit 15, Tewin Court, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1AU.

[sgould]

I used their eBay spares side ?Saabtech Parts Europe?, which was run by Dean, has moved to Harlow.  I?ve bought a lot of bits from him, but Harlow is a bit further now.

[TomPaine]

The car is at Welwyn now for treatment - Ian commented that it was worse than anticipated once the rear arches and skirts had been removed.

[carrera]

That does look fairly "standard"

You are wise getting this done now, One car I have suffered from the rust creeping round the whole wheelarch....