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Post by Feng on Dec 1, 2015 23:48:09 GMT 11
Sounds like a joke but really, it's impressive how much debris can accumulate under the windscreen and wipers. If you open your bonnet there's a grille under the wiper arms and on either side near the bonnet hinges are removable covers to access the top of the shock towers. It looks like a design defect but the driver's side wiper arm drains directly over one of the towers and rusts the bolt so it looks like this. I'm considering covering it like this if I can find the right cover. Anyway, maybe I'm just neurotic about these things or maybe it's just the trees I park under but the next time you clean your car grab a torch and see how much leaves and debris there is there. You wouldn't want a blockage that could lead to rust!
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Post by Phoebe on Dec 2, 2015 4:03:08 GMT 11
Gosh! Must have a look! Always park under cover so wonder if that helps?
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Post by rusdy on Dec 2, 2015 11:59:35 GMT 11
Thanks for the info. Google Translate helped a bit! I'd better find my rustic beetle...
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Post by Feng on Dec 2, 2015 13:04:53 GMT 11
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Post by Phoebe on Dec 2, 2015 13:34:42 GMT 11
Not much debris in mine but, of course, they do get wet when I drive in the rain - both sides are a bit rusty. Thanks for the part number, Feng. I'll get a couple of them.
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Post by tjgeel on Dec 2, 2015 20:50:30 GMT 11
Thanks for sharing Feng. Luckily for me it looks like the 2011 UK LEAF models have the shock tower cap as standard. Attachment Deleted
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Post by jacky on Dec 3, 2015 7:14:57 GMT 11
Can you share where you get them? I don't see them on Nissan Australia Website.
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Post by Feng on Dec 3, 2015 18:03:21 GMT 11
You'll have to speak to spare parts at Nissan for that cover. This is how rusted my suspension looks like without it. Wonder how hard it'll be to undo when it's time to replace my shocks? Lucky you for having it standard tjgeel! Attachments:
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Post by rusdy on Dec 5, 2015 16:25:23 GMT 11
Yours don't look to bad Feng. Mine is completely rusted out. It's pretty much a rust bowl . The left hand side is not as bad the right hand side though. I suspect the left-hand-drife Leaf will have the opposite problem. I took a photo just today after driving in rain. No wonder it's a puddle of rust. The water pretty much sits stagnant in there (the photo doesn't really show clearly the puddle of water. If you squint hard enough, there is a reflection of water edge near the top left) The photo above is after my poor attempt of cleaning yesterday afternoon. Look much much worse yesterday
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Post by Phoebe on Dec 5, 2015 19:27:19 GMT 11
Don't know why they didn't give us the cover that exists on the one sold in the UK? Am going looking for something to cover it with, armed with all the photos that are here!
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Post by jeffjl on Dec 5, 2015 23:06:43 GMT 11
Yours don't look to bad Feng. Mine is completely rusted out. It's pretty much a rust bowl . The left hand side is not as bad the right hand side though. I suspect the left-hand-drife Leaf will have the opposite problem. I took a photo just today after driving in rain. No wonder it's a puddle of rust. The water pretty much sits stagnant in there (the photo doesn't really show clearly the puddle of water. If you squint hard enough, there is a reflection of water edge near the top left) The photo above is after my poor attempt of cleaning yesterday afternoon. Look much much worse yesterday Wow. Wow.
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Post by duncan on Dec 6, 2015 21:19:42 GMT 11
Great thread thanks Feng. And great research too. My suspension is aftermarket and doesn't have this issue (the strut tops are anodised aluminium so won't rust). The caps are $4.17+ postage on www.amayama.com/en/search?q=54330ED000. I use these guys often and they are reliable. Assuming there might be a few on here who want them, I've asked the guys at amayama for a price on 5 pairs of caps delivered to Sydney.
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Post by jacky on Dec 6, 2015 22:10:18 GMT 11
Great thread thanks Feng. And great research too. My suspension is aftermarket and doesn't have this issue (the strut tops are anodised aluminium so won't rust). The caps are $4.17+ postage on www.amayama.com/en/search?q=54330ED000. I use these guys often and they are reliable. Assuming there might be a few on here who want them, I've asked the guys at amayama for a price on 5 pairs of caps delivered to Sydney. Do you know roughly how much it will be after added the postage? Is it okay to send a pair from Sydney to Melbourne for me? I checked Nissan and it is $30 each (i.e., $60 a pair)!! UPDATE: The price quoted previously is wrong. It should be $14 each. Check post below.
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Post by Feng on Dec 7, 2015 1:18:58 GMT 11
Thanks Duncan, sounds like a bargain compared to buying locally again. Count me in for a pair. Happy to help out with distributing to owners not in Sydney if needed.
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Post by caskings on Dec 7, 2015 1:32:52 GMT 11
Yes please. I'd be in for a pair.
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Post by jacky on Dec 7, 2015 9:01:26 GMT 11
Great thread thanks Feng. And great research too. My suspension is aftermarket and doesn't have this issue (the strut tops are anodised aluminium so won't rust). The caps are $4.17+ postage on www.amayama.com/en/search?q=54330ED000. I use these guys often and they are reliable. Assuming there might be a few on here who want them, I've asked the guys at amayama for a price on 5 pairs of caps delivered to Sydney. Do you know roughly how much it will be after added the postage? Is it okay to send a pair from Sydney to Melbourne for me? I checked Nissan and it is $30 each (i.e., $60 a pair)!! The price $30 each was quoted over the phone. I sent an email for a quote before the phone call and I received a reply this morning. To my surprise, the quoted price is $14 each! Since the price is written, I would believe $14 each is the correct price. I will order from them so that feng don't need to send it across Australia.
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Post by Phoebe on Dec 7, 2015 9:43:35 GMT 11
I will order from them so that feng don't need to send it across Australia. Me too!
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Post by Phoebe on Dec 7, 2015 11:33:25 GMT 11
As a temporary measure I have sprayed both sides with WD40. In my 'box of tricks' I found an old plastic petrol cap cover. I have taped that on to the driver's side with black tape so no-one will spot it unless they look very hard. That should keep the water out for now
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Post by hieronymous on Dec 7, 2015 12:34:51 GMT 11
Hi all I was away when I first caught up with this post, so I got my first look last night - mine are just the same. So, my take on this is that it is a warranty issue; under NZ consumer law (and equally under Oz consumer law I'm sure), such corrosion is unacceptable in new/near new vehicles. So I got straight onto my dealer today. They had never seen it before, were concerned, took photos, and are getting onto Nissan about it, as a warranty issue. Watch this space... So to all you Leafers out there, I suggest you do likewise - the more official complaints via dealers the better. I think this warrants a general heads-up from Nissan to all dealers to look for this and remedy it at the next service. PLEASE don't just accept this and try to fix it yourself!!
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Post by duncan on Dec 7, 2015 13:42:33 GMT 11
Oh I totally agree with that too Nissan certainly have a responsibility to design a car that doesn't rust out it's shock tops, particularly since a failure there would cause a front end suspension collapse.... In any case, I'll post up when I have a cost to import them and any person can choose what they want to do. Oh BTW, if you don't think Nissan Oz is a rip off....keep in mind the 300% mark up on the retail price in Japan that we saw above.
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Post by rusdy on Dec 7, 2015 13:49:14 GMT 11
As a temporary measure I have sprayed both sides with WD40. In my 'box of tricks' I found an old plastic petrol cap cover. I have taped that on to the driver's side with black tape so no-one will spot it unless they look very hard. That should keep the water out for now I suggest to use Silicone Spray instead. WD40 is petroleum based and too hard on the rubber. It may damage the rubber bits. [EDIT: just found out WD40 technical data sheet, WD40 is fine: WD40 Tech Sheet] I've sprayed mine with Silicone spray until the plug arrives. Absolutely agree with hieronymous. However, I don't think I can wait for the result of warranty to come. Mine is completely rusted out!
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Post by Phoebe on Dec 7, 2015 14:19:10 GMT 11
I've had my LEAF more than 3 years, so warranty has run out on everything except the batteries
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Post by jeffjl on Dec 7, 2015 15:11:55 GMT 11
Dropped mine in for servicing this morning. Brought up the issue with the staff. Will let you know what they say.
I agree with Hieronymous. This is a design fault and needs to be corrected by Nissan.
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Post by hieronymous on Dec 7, 2015 16:37:55 GMT 11
I've had my LEAF more than 3 years, so warranty has run out on everything except the batteries I am not familiar with the fine print of your consumer law, Phoebe, but our laws override warranties if it is considered that a purchase should typically have lasted longer. In this case, there should never be water pooling in such a position.
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Post by jeffjl on Dec 7, 2015 18:39:48 GMT 11
Got my car back from its 20,000km service.
They did a good job. Replaced engine oil and oil filter. Checked drive belts. Checked & serviced air cleaner. Checked exhaust system and gas sensors.
I had a good laugh. Thanks Magic Nissan.
They have not heard or seen the problem before. They have had to submit a 'techline' to Nissan. I will keep all informed.
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Post by rusdy on Dec 7, 2015 18:51:55 GMT 11
Got my car back from its 20,000km service. They did a good job. Replaced engine oil and oil filter. Checked drive belts. Checked & serviced air cleaner. Checked exhaust system and gas sensors. I had a good laugh. Thanks Magic Nissan. They have not heard or seen the problem before. They have had to submit a 'techline' to Nissan. I will keep all informed. Good job indeed!! Let just say couple hundred bucks to make you had a good laugh for seconds there...
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Post by datsunleaf on Dec 7, 2015 19:33:07 GMT 11
Just had a look at ours, right hand side a little worse but both rusted, we'll mention it when we take vehicle up for air conditioner condenser replacement ( That's another story) but will also email Dean with photos
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Post by Cachexian (Gordon) on Dec 7, 2015 21:47:53 GMT 11
i also up for a pair please - if doing group order.
i will also go back to Nissan. My car is only "3 months old" Ha Ha and the driver's side one is very rusty. Passenger side rusty but not so bad. Obviously been sitting rusting quietly away in the nice salty air at Kernel for three years. What an idiot design!
The thing that I don't get...if a part exists that clearly has been designed to address the design flaw, why is it not attached to the car? Fail Nissan Australia. Fail!
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Post by duncan on Dec 8, 2015 18:49:25 GMT 11
OK quote came back at $68 including delivery to sydney, I'll take the chance and make the order for 10 (5 pairs) at $6.80 each.
Will be a couple of weeks probably, I'll post up when they arrive.
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Post by Feng on Dec 8, 2015 19:15:19 GMT 11
Thanks Duncan!
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