how much rust under cab step is ok?

[Mod_Machine]

Hi,
I have my eye on a auto sleeper trident.
Seems a good price, has a full 12 months mot no advisery etc
Not perfect but not far off (the most minimal seam rust ever, no bubbling round window rubbers etc)
However the last few ive seen all seem to have rust in the step to the cab, and tho the last one i looked at had repainted the step (with a brush!) when i lifted the rubber there was a hole there which was about the size of my fist - and a crack on the inside paint where the arch started running up-ithought that was pretty bad.

I know they mostly have a little there, Ive got photos of the one i wish to look at tom but its a real treck and is on at about £5800.
I can see a bit of rusting in spots around the step rubber, and the seller has been very honest in everything they have told us about so far.

He also says there is a small near 10p piece size hole under the cab step rubber where it looks like the sealer has gone a little brittle.
Is this normal ?
Is this ok?
Can i just strip back, treat and lob some bigger dollop of sealer in?
Should i just walk away?

Many thanks

Mod

[AngeloEvs]

corrosion under the rubber mat of the foot step is quite common and straightforward to repair. I have had to repair these on two T25's but the shells were sound otherwise.

[Mod_Machine]

does that mean a 10p sized hole is acceptable at £5.5k if everything else is as rot free as it appears from the photos??
the only other thing ive found is a ver slight prowning on the edge of one of the seams-but again expecting that.

I thought that the step plate would be bad as it would move on to wheel arch and be an MOT failure due to beeing close to suspension or seat belt points?

What kinda money does it cost to replace - or can someone with very VERY basic welding skills do it?

[AngeloEvs]

They have been failed according to others for corrosion of the step. A member recently repaired his and this was his first welding repair carried out on the van (there is a thread with pics somewhere on the techy forum) and he managed fine. Cost depends on repair (weld in a new section) or restore the section (and renew the seam/flange inderneath which contributes to the problem). Take a picture of the affected area, get a quote and bargain the price down or just make an offer that will cover the 'anticipated' cost. Its a step, if you want concours you pay extra if you want solid but effective and don't object to seeing that it has been repaired then you pay less.

A 10p sized hole will actually be somewhat bigger once the surrounding metal has been ground back.

[Mod_Machine]

Oh- ill definately be wanting a camper for camping in so - id be after tidy and functional!
Most of its hid by the rubber mat anyway!

I assume its V rare to find one with out the step rusting - prob is for us that we are going with the aim of buying there and then - really cant go, take some pics, come home for quotes etc and then go back as would prob cost as much in fuel for the trips as it would to repair (im guessing a couple of hundred will sort it when it needs it!)

What else should i check for that may be more serious linked to, or where step rust is in evidence?

[AngeloEvs]

The seams, especially those that are open to the elements (the lower rear arch in particular), the air boxes either side of the engine bay which trap water. the area around the petrol filler cap, the seat belt mountings that are over the petrol expansion tanks (one under each front wheel arch) and last (but by no means least) the sill/seam that runs along the o/s which can be severely corroded (and affects the floor) due to the fridge (condensation) and moisture entering from the air vents. Sure others will add to this list but those and a general peek at chassis members are what I scrutinised before parting with my dosh all £3900 of it after haggling it down from £4500. Only the step and a some slight corrosion along the O/s sill were in need of repair (afternoons work and cost about a tenner in materials).

[Mod_Machine]

cheers got pics of all these and everything seems fine - i just meant anything more serious that the step rust could be a symptom of?

[AngeloEvs]

The cab step is in two parts with a flange. The problem is the mat and the way it is secured allows water to get trapped underneath. Add to that the flange which soon loses the underbody compund at the dges and corrosion sets in. It was evident on mine that the corrosion had spread from both sides of this flange but not to the wheel arch. The underbody sealing does seem to shrink and lifts away at edges allowing moisture to penetrate behind it. I would think that corrosion of the arches is due to degradation of the under boady compound rather than the step panel. Some folks have carried out major repairs but many are away this weekend so unfortunatley you won't get the benefit of their advice.

[jason k]

the step repair is common, its not indicative normally of the rest of the van.

its not an mot fail as its not structural.

have a real good look over the bus.

there is a buying guide in the wiki somewhere........

[jason k]

here you go

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Mi ... yers_guide" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mod_Machine]

Hi- nice one.
Id checked the buying guides accross the internet - including this one (which was very good and part of the reason for joining this forum)
Its just that every guide says 'look for rust on the step, and underneath rubber mat' but then doesnt go on to say what warrants a walk away and what is normal for a vehicle in excess of 20 years.

As it was the seller would not lift up the rubber mat and take photos of the hole, and coupled with a few other minor things and the distance (7 hour round trip) we were not prepared to view.

So back to net searching it is!

[billy739]

check for respray hiding seam rash/rust especially recent respray!

cab steps are not mot fail so can be 'missing' ive seen peple buying rusty vans for silly money , just depends how much you want to pay.take it for a test drive t a body shop and get a quote then haggle this with the seller?