Rust! Is it just me?

[Lost1wing]

The 4 bolts that secure the cowl panel behind the hood, appears to show signs of rust. Don't know if it is the bolts, washers or panel if it is even steel. Anyone else?

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[ShadowsPapa]

Looks like the bolts to me -
These bolts, if I recall correctly without going and looking, should have an insulating shoulder under them to prevent the bolt from contacting the panel itself directly.
Makes me wonder if that's there, if it's compromised, etc.
I also wonder - does that area drain or has it held water from washing or anything with a detergent or salt in it?
There can be electrolysis between the bolts and surroundings if there's been water in there for any period of time - especially water with any detergents or chemicals.

IF it was my Jeep - I'd carefully remove one of the bolts and look it over carefully. I'd try to figure out what sort of plating or protection it has - ideally black zinc at least.
I'd also contact a dealer because rust is a matter to be corrected.

 

[Lost1wing]

Looks like the bolts to me -
These bolts, if I recall correctly without going and looking, should have an insulating shoulder under them to prevent the bolt from contacting the panel itself directly.
Makes me wonder if that's there, if it's compromised, etc.
I also wonder - does that area drain or has it held water from washing or anything with a detergent or salt in it?
There can be electrolysis between the bolts and surroundings if there's been water in there for any period of time - especially water with any detergents or chemicals.

IF it was my Jeep - I'd carefully remove one of the bolts and look it over carefully. I'd try to figure out what sort of plating or protection it has - ideally black zinc at least.
I'd also contact a dealer because rust is a matter to be corrected.

Thanks for the quick reply. I decided to go ahead and take a quick look and remove the bolt. I guess I should have before posting. It seems the washers have a defective plating. The panel is plastic and the bolt looks pretty good.

 

[Dqban]

Bolts...one of mine rusted too. There was probably rust underneath when it was colored black. All rust eventually spreads

 

[Mac]

I have had mine out a couple times as I changed lights on my Mopar cowl brackets. Each time I coat them with Fluid Film as I notice they had a little surface rust on them. Fluid Film works really well for this type of thing.

 

[jac04]

Mine are the same, although the rust is very minor compared to yours. I took them all out and coated them with cavity wax. After the wax set up, I re-installed them and then wiped off the excess wax. I have a feeling that the rust will be back this winter.

 

[Lost1wing]

I will ask the dealer for new ones that way I seal them up when I install them. The bolt still looks good but the plating on the washer failed during the factory install. That is what it looks like to me. Thank you.

 

[Daddiator54]

Rust on mine as well. Also rust for same bolts on the bumper.

 

[dcmdon]

I'd stick a galvanized washer under it. The galvanized washer will protect the bolt and whatever its screwed into.

 

[syreeves]

You can probably replace them with similar thread pattern and size stainless, although they won't be torx head. And they will be shiny... but at least they won't rust. I am saying this only for the cowls bolts...

 

[Mac]

You can probably replace them with similar thread pattern and size stainless, although they won't be torx head. And they will be shiny... but at least they won't rust. I am saying this only for the cowls bolts...

You cannot, the cowl bolts are special and have tall shoulders on them so they do not crush down on the cowl piece itself. The cowl piece is plastic so the rust does not affect it. The Mopar cowl brackets are also the only ones I am aware of that come with the correct type of longer replacement bolts as well.

 

[93civej1]

Could always cut that crap washer off with a dremel and put a proper washer in place?

 

[syreeves]

You cannot, the cowl bolts are special and have tall shoulders on them so they do not crush down on the cowl piece itself. The cowl piece is plastic so the rust does not affect it. The Mopar cowl brackets are also the only ones I am aware of that come with the correct type of longer replacement bolts as well.

Help me to understand - what do you mean "tall shoulders"? I had trouble mounting a GMRS antennae using one of the cowl bolts and replaced it with a slightly longer stainless bolt. Don't have a good pic but I will take one and edit this post. I checked to make sure the bolt was not too long... but it was the same thread size (m6 x1.25 x 30 I think but I cannot remember).

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Bolts...one of mine rusted too. There was probably rust underneath when it was colored black. All rust eventually spreads

Nope - the bolts would have been plated before Jeep even bought them. The bolts come from outside sources made to Jeep specs.
My bet is it's black zinc plating. They don't install them and then color them, they are black when shipped to Jeep.

If that happened to my own, I'd pull them, clean and prep them and plate them again........

Here are examples of the black zinc plating I do in my shop - for restoration work -

 

[Mac]

Help me to understand - what do you mean "tall shoulders"? I had trouble mounting a GMRS antennae using one of the cowl bolts and replaced it with a slightly longer stainless bolt. Don't have a good pic but I will take one and edit this post. I checked to make sure the bolt was not too long... but it was the same thread size (m6 x1.25 x 30 I think but I cannot remember).

The black bolt is stock next to a bolt that came with a EAG cowl light bracket. The stock bolt can only go down so far so it just holds the cowl panel in place, the EAG bolt squeezes the cowl panel to stay in place, I did not want that as I thought it could crack the panel.

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