Rusted Rear Underside Bracing

[MajorTom]

I had a chat with my local independent Jag specialist and they didn't seem too concerned by it. They said although they've seen plenty with the problem, they haven't seen any get to the point of requiring immediate replacement or anything. It's just been more of a "you should probably get that sorted now before it gets bad" kind of deal. So I'm sure there are some examples in certain parts of the country or higher mileage ones that have serious issues with it, but this mostly seems like it's only one part that probably needs replacement sooner rather than later. Either way, they priced up the replacement and I got the dealer to knock pretty close to that off the price so I'm happy. Hopefully should pick it up this weekend and then I'll get it booked in at the independent for a once over. Will likely just get it all replaced and sealed.

Result! Exactly that's my understanding too - in absolutely most cases it's just a cosmetic matter.

This issue is probably most common among you guys in the UK compared to elsewhere in the world because so many people in the UK have the odd habit of having lovely cars like the F-Type without having a proper garage for it.

[stefan9107]

I had a chat with my local independent Jag specialist and they didn't seem too concerned by it. They said although they've seen plenty with the problem, they haven't seen any get to the point of requiring immediate replacement or anything. It's just been more of a "you should probably get that sorted now before it gets bad" kind of deal. So I'm sure there are some examples in certain parts of the country or higher mileage ones that have serious issues with it, but this mostly seems like it's only one part that probably needs replacement sooner rather than later. Either way, they priced up the replacement and I got the dealer to knock pretty close to that off the price so I'm happy. Hopefully should pick it up this weekend and then I'll get it booked in at the independent for a once over. Will likely just get it all replaced and sealed.

Result! Exactly that's my understanding too - in absolutely most cases it's just a cosmetic matter.

This issue is probably most common among you guys in the UK compared to elsewhere in the world because so many people in the UK have the odd habit of having lovely cars like the F-Type without having a proper garage for it.

Yeh it is a bit of a problem... I could probably just about squeeze it in the garage but I wouldnt be able to get out of it!

[scm]

This issue is probably most common among you guys in the UK compared to elsewhere in the world because so many people in the UK have the odd habit of having lovely cars like the F-Type without having a proper garage for it.

And because we have lots of water on our roads, which also get salted in the winter months.

[cj10jeeper]

I had a chat with my local independent Jag specialist and they didn't seem too concerned by it. They said although they've seen plenty with the problem, they haven't seen any get to the point of requiring immediate replacement or anything. It's just been more of a "you should probably get that sorted now before it gets bad" kind of deal. So I'm sure there are some examples in certain parts of the country or higher mileage ones that have serious issues with it, but this mostly seems like it's only one part that probably needs replacement sooner rather than later. Either way, they priced up the replacement and I got the dealer to knock pretty close to that off the price so I'm happy. Hopefully should pick it up this weekend and then I'll get it booked in at the independent for a once over. Will likely just get it all replaced and sealed.

Result! Exactly that's my understanding too - in absolutely most cases it's just a cosmetic matter.

This issue is probably most common among you guys in the UK compared to elsewhere in the world because so many people in the UK have the odd habit of having lovely cars like the F-Type without having a proper garage for it.

Don't assume a garage in the UK solves the issue. We suffer from large humidity and temperature changes. In colder months the garage cools to ambient temperature, As soon as it warms up the typical concrete base slab remains cold and creates huge amounts of condensation from warmer humid air flowing in. The cycle continues. many times per season. I have a dehumidifier in the garage which runs whenever the humidity is above 40% and it can draw 2 litres per day out of the garage air.
Add in the comment re SCM about salt from roads and we create pretty hostile environments for cars.

[kookaburra1457]

Hello, some feedback on my experiences with the rear X-brace rusting issue:
1. Almost all early F-Types suffer from it, to the extent that JLR dealers now consider it 'normal' (it's not normal, just super-common)
2. Caused by very poor quality control in the manufacturing process, inadequate plating, etc.
3. Thankfully, not particularly difficult to replace once you get the car up on a ramp, although some of the bolts may be seized due to galvanic corrosion effects
4. I obtained a full X-brace (3 parts) from another Forum member who had replaced his own with new, they were shot-peened, etched, and repainted black before sale
5. My friendly local indie replaced the set on my MY14 V6S in about 1.5 hours and charged me £95 for the work done, old parts were only fit for scrap metal skip
If you plan to get the old ones off, spend some time under the car with PlusGas, rusted-thread-penetrator, wire brush etc. (use eye protection, you'll be on your back) to give the bolts a chance of coming out whole.
Happy with the result and should now last my time with this car.
Cheers

[stefan9107]

Hello, some feedback on my experiences with the rear X-brace rusting issue:
1. Almost all early F-Types suffer from it, to the extent that JLR dealers now consider it 'normal' (it's not normal, just super-common)
2. Caused by very poor quality control in the manufacturing process, inadequate plating, etc.
3. Thankfully, not particularly difficult to replace once you get the car up on a ramp, although some of the bolts may be seized due to galvanic corrosion effects
4. I obtained a full X-brace (3 parts) from another Forum member who had replaced his own with new, they were shot-peened, etched, and repainted black before sale
5. My friendly local indie replaced the set on my MY14 V6S in about 1.5 hours and charged me £95 for the work done, old parts were only fit for scrap metal skip
If you plan to get the old ones off, spend some time under the car with PlusGas, rusted-thread-penetrator, wire brush etc. (use eye protection, you'll be on your back) to give the bolts a chance of coming out whole.
Happy with the result and should now last my time with this car.
Cheers

Appreciate the info. Unfortunately I really don't have the patience to do it myself and no access to a ramp. My local indie garage are pretty reasonable though so I was going to get them to do it and have a chat about what else can be done to protect the more exposed and prone the rust areas.

[mickjaguar]

I was going to get them to do it and have a chat about what else can be done to protect the more exposed and prone the rust areas.

I had the dealer coat the cross braces on myV6 with ACF50 when it was in for service (no charge for applying it). Four years later they still looked OK and hadn't got any worse.

Surface treatment like ACF 50 or Bilt Hamber Dynax are good for prevention and can be quickly applied each service.