Urgent help needed: Rust at Santro's steering column joint underneath the dashboard

sidindica · 20th October 2010, 12:30

My santro has of late started to develop a peculiar rust at a rod which is connected to the steering wheel and can be seen from underneath the dashboard. Its there since the past many days but it hasn't caused any problems till now. Though, the visible rust increased today.
The car was not driven in waterlogged roads when rains lashed delhi nor water entered the interior when it was parked in rainy season.

Is it a cause for worry and should the part be replaced? Or will the entire steering column will ask for replacement? I haven't talked to the Hyundai service station till now.

Experts, what do you say on this?

planet_rocker · 20th October 2010, 12:52

Spray WD40 on the rod and get rid of the rust - apply vaseline on it - it does not look that bad.

take care and drive safe.

ragzv · 20th October 2010, 15:35

If WD40 does not work use a fine emery paper (no.320 or above) and just rub it off. Alternative to vaseline you can rub grease on the rod - will last longer than (thin) vaseline

wildon · 20th October 2010, 15:54

Does this part ever changed ? can't rule out a poor quality/counterfeit one .

jigbarai · 20th October 2010, 16:13

If that part (just that rusted rod) can be changed - i'd recommend changing it.
Shouldnt cost too much and neither is the replacement a complex job (almost looks a DIY

)

Cost wise it should be much different than sparying WD40 on it.

Rest of the stuff around it looks to be okay so far.

ElantraGT · 20th October 2010, 16:32

Sid, I think the part you are refering to is called a Intermediate shaft/Steering shft. I am not sure if H.A.S.S will be selling this part separately. From the photo it looks like the rusting is superficial only, so liberal use of WD40 spray with greasing should stop / slow down the rusting rate. I dont think you have to loose your sleep over this.

Sankar · 20th October 2010, 17:27

Find out if this is OE stuff. Was this item ever replaced?
Take out steering connecting linkage, sand it clean, primer it and paint it and refit it. This is the only permanent and clean solution.

n.devdath · 20th October 2010, 19:07

Sid,
That is a solid steel rod. It will take eons to rust 'through and through'. When you have time, like the others have said, and only if you feel like, sandpaper it, and apply a coat of paint.
Just as a weekend time pass.

Nothing will happen to it if you leave it as it is.

sohail99 · 20th October 2010, 19:49

I'd get a steelwool and a low grit sand paper and remove the rust and then polish it out using a metal polish,

then use a sealant/ wax to protect from further corrosion!

and some WD-40 or a spray grease on the joints

sidindica · 20th October 2010, 20:54

Thats the factory part, never replaced. It was worrying me, so asked about it. HASS also said that its nothing to worry about when I called my service advisor on phone.

20th October 2010, 12:30	#1
sidindica Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 4,892 Thanked: 8,106 Times	Urgent help needed: Rust at Santro's steering column joint underneath the dashboard My santro has of late started to develop a peculiar rust at a rod which is connected to the steering wheel and can be seen from underneath the dashboard. Its there since the past many days but it hasn't caused any problems till now. Though, the visible rust increased today. The car was not driven in waterlogged roads when rains lashed delhi nor water entered the interior when it was parked in rainy season. Is it a cause for worry and should the part be replaced? Or will the entire steering column will ask for replacement? I haven't talked to the Hyundai service station till now. Experts, what do you say on this? Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

20th October 2010, 12:52	#2
planet_rocker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bong-land Posts: 2,323 Thanked: 426 Times	Spray WD40 on the rod and get rid of the rust - apply vaseline on it - it does not look that bad. take care and drive safe.
	() Thanks

20th October 2010, 15:35	#3
ragzv BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 107 Thanked: 8 Times	If WD40 does not work use a fine emery paper (no.320 or above) and just rub it off. Alternative to vaseline you can rub grease on the rod - will last longer than (thin) vaseline
	() Thanks

20th October 2010, 15:54	#4
wildon BANNED Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,440 Thanked: 1,235 Times View My Garage	Does this part ever changed ? can't rule out a poor quality/counterfeit one .
	() Thanks

20th October 2010, 16:13	#5
jigbarai BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 554 Thanked: 29 Times	If that part (just that rusted rod) can be changed - i'd recommend changing it. Shouldnt cost too much and neither is the replacement a complex job (almost looks a DIY ) Cost wise it should be much different than sparying WD40 on it. Rest of the stuff around it looks to be okay so far.
	() Thanks

20th October 2010, 16:32	#6
ElantraGT BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 441 Thanked: 12 Times	Sid, I think the part you are refering to is called a Intermediate shaft/Steering shft. I am not sure if H.A.S.S will be selling this part separately. From the photo it looks like the rusting is superficial only, so liberal use of WD40 spray with greasing should stop / slow down the rusting rate. I dont think you have to loose your sleep over this.
	() Thanks

20th October 2010, 17:27	#7
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,766 Thanked: 9,054 Times	Find out if this is OE stuff. Was this item ever replaced? Take out steering connecting linkage, sand it clean, primer it and paint it and refit it. This is the only permanent and clean solution.
	() Thanks

20th October 2010, 19:07	#8
n.devdath BANNED Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,287 Thanked: 2,811 Times	Sid, That is a solid steel rod. It will take eons to rust 'through and through'. When you have time, like the others have said, and only if you feel like, sandpaper it, and apply a coat of paint. Just as a weekend time pass. Nothing will happen to it if you leave it as it is.
	() Thanks

20th October 2010, 19:49	#9
sohail99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,271 Thanked: 229 Times	I'd get a steelwool and a low grit sand paper and remove the rust and then polish it out using a metal polish, then use a sealant/ wax to protect from further corrosion! and some WD-40 or a spray grease on the joints
	() Thanks

20th October 2010, 20:54	#10
sidindica Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 4,892 Thanked: 8,106 Times	Thats the factory part, never replaced. It was worrying me, so asked about it. HASS also said that its nothing to worry about when I called my service advisor on phone.
	() Thanks