Rear Door Jam Rust

[jira]

I was poking around my '97 and found rust starting in the rear door jam at the seam where the vertical C-pillar meets the rear wheel arch in the rear door jam. It's right about hip level. I check the other side, and I have it there too. Is this common? Reaching up fromunder the wheel I don't seem to be able to reach the back of the seam, which prompts a few questions:

1. Is water getting trapped in a pocket behind this seam? If so, I'm tempted to drill a hole in the bottom to allow drainage. Opinions?

2. Given that it doesn't appear that I can reach the back side, what is the best way to treat the rust and prevent it from spreading? I'm thinking an access hole to spray in an aerosol rust inhibitor, but I'd really prefer to clean it down to bare metal, then a rust proof primer and paint like that offered by Wurth.

3. What are the other areas I should keep an eye on that are prone to rust? I've heard about the rear cargo area floor and rear door sill. Any others?

Thanks,

John

[TUFFTEE]

Underneath those plastic doorsills is another hotspot! :lol:

[petergalileo]

My worst rust areas are front footwells, ends of the sills, rear floor (now replaced).

My disco 1 used to collect water inside the boot on the floor beneath the rear lights.  I never found the actual leak but had to remove the rear door seal at one point and it didnt leak after it was replaced, so it might be the seal has lifted slightly ?

[jira]

Thanks Peter, that's very helpful. I have found a firm that specializes in applying Waxoyl to Rovers. They are a 10 hour drive, but probably worth it when all is considered. Rust proofing has a bad reputation here in the states, with too many firms offering shoddy products poorly applied. If you find the right product and a service company with direct experience on your specific vehicle trained by the manufacturer to apply the product correctly, then you've probably done your due diligence. My wife thinks I'm nuts, but she's never had to deal with chassis cancer.