Just wondering if anyone else has experienced the paint bubbles / rust spots on the passenger side of their styleside beds? I've got a 2004 that was in about a year ago or so for the TSB on Butyl pad replacement and this is exactly where the rust /paint bubbles are originating. The spot is directly below where the "4x4" sticker is. It looks like the bubbles/rust are coming from underside out. I'm taking it in tonight to the dealer to get it looked at.

If anyone else has had this issue, please let me know - and what your dealer did to resolve the issue.

Thanks,
E

 

Removing the pad exposes a bare spot on the metal and the dealership may have not gotten it covered properly. Or the repair was performed too late to do any good and was already rusting prior to the fix.

The latter was the case on mine, they ended up replacing the entire bedside.

 

I had the same issue. The pad was replaced as soon as I got the recall letter. About 3-4 months later I noticed small bubbles by the FX4 sticker. I stuck my head under the rear panel and there was rust everywhere. I don't know if it was already beyond fixing when they did the repair or if they just half a$$ed the repair, but it was destroyed by rust. The same dealer got to replace the entire panel. In thier defense, they did an excellent job when they replaced the entire panel.

 

Thanks for the replies. I have an appointment this Friday morning. I'll keep you guys posted.

Thanks again,
E

 

they are supposed to paint on a special coating/paint after removing the piece.

 

What has apparently happened is that when your butyl pads were removed the residue rust was not also scraped or sandpapered off. Paint, alone, will not stop the fungus action of rust. Rust left to grow will continue growing until it is scraped off to the bare metal.

I have the Styleside that was also recalled for the pads. The Service Mgr lied to me to much that I took my rig away from him and took my rig home and removed the pads myself. What I did do was use gasoline to remove the residue sitckum that could not be totally scraped off. Then I insured the surface was totally rust and foreign matter free by cleansing off the gasoline residue and any blemeishes. Then I shot primer up there, first once, then 4 hours later a second coat. Then 3 weeks later a 3rd coat.

Rust left to grow will grow. That is a given.

 

Might want to shoot some paint or sealant over that primer. Generally, primer alone WILL NOT stop rust. It is permeable and allows moisture to reach the metal underneath.