I am waiting for the bank to call to see if I get my loan. I found a Maverick, and will possibly be looking and/or purchasing it this weekend. I have received pictures and know it has some rust in the rear quarter panels, but noticed that there is none visible anywhere else on the car (shock towers, inside bottom doors etc..) and other than the other places I know of, like the cowl and floor pans, Where else should I be looking for hiding rust? I have heard people talk about a torque box being rusted away? What is it? And where do I look for it? and are there any other areas that might be hiding that I should check for rust? Thanks in advance Glen
Glen, It really helps to get a car up on a lift or at least jack stands. Take a good light and a flat tip screw driver with you. The torque boxes are a the front of the floorpan section where it meets the firewall. That means looking under the hood from the front, look over the engine to the wall in the back and follow it down to the floorpan. The torque boxes are at the bend on the outer edges. I would also look closely around the mounting brackets for the front bumper and rear bumper-depending on model year. Take the battery out if the owner will permit you to do so. There is likely at least surface rust under there. Check the inside and outside(engine bay side) of the shock towers as you mentioned. Floorpans. I have seen more pans rusted through in the back floorboards, but I suppose it depends on the type of leak. Rear frame rails and leaf spring mounting points: Look around the tightly mounted leaf springs for any failures. You mentioned lower doors, check them carefully. You may find that if the car ever lived in the North where there is lots of snow, that the driver's side may have more rust. Mustang enthusiast have a theory on this. IF it was a car that spent lots of time in the city parked on city streets, the salt/sand/snowplow trucks would spray it while parked more on the drivers side. I would also take a magnet and a soft thin rag with me. Check the lower fenders and doors or anywhere you see evidence of body repair or fresh paint. If if doesn't stick very well in some places, it is usually a sign of filler or bondo. Much of this may be found. If it is found, it doesn't make it a deal killer and is no guarantee that the seller will drop his price, but it is a good argument for him to do so. If it has none, congrats, you have found a prize. Good Luck. Seth
Look right behind the front tires to find the torque boxes. I know there are numerous posts on that subject...with pictures. Bit of advice...don't just go on pictures.....look at the car first before you decide to buy anything.
well, it dosent look like this is going through. My bank is owned by a bunch of tightwads. Talking to one guy last week, he said "no problem" we can get you what you need, even gave me a percentage rate and a two year payback limit. well after receiving the call from the lady who looked the actual loan papers over, she upped the percentage and said because it was an older car the pay period had to be 18 months wich raised the monthly payment over what I could pay. argh, I tried to explain to her about the setup from the previous gentlman at the bank, but she didnt want anything to do with that. Im back to square one. ill just keep on saving. Ill get my Maverick yet... Glen
