Sliders rusting from the inside out.

The rivets holding the plates on my sliders are allowing water to get inside the sliders and rust.


That damp area is there because I drove the Tacoma just before taking the pic. Evidently there is water trapped in the sliders and some of it sloshed out while driving. I drove in the rain a week before this pic was taken.

This is happening on both sliders.

Not sure drain holes would be the best solution. Any ideas?

 

Company who makes them?

 

Apex

 

Oh are they not a Vendor on here?

 

@CaliRaisedLed
@MojaveMadman
Any suggestions

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/caliraised-sliders.587802/#post-19617686





And Apex/CaliRaised response:

 

If they installed the fill plates, I’d suggest trying to get them warrantied/refund

If you installed the fill plates yourself and they didn’t provide clear instructions for waterproofing, I’d suggest trying to get them warrantied/refund

Either way, poor design IMO.

 

Ah guess I would of expected the actual Company Name of CaliRaised.

 

Why weren’t the fill plates welded on??

Should have chosen @EddyRRT www.sosoffroadconcepts.com

 

I'd drill a hole underneath towards the rear then lift the front end of the truck to drain as much out as possible. Then insert an air hose from a compressor and try to blow dry it out. Then I'd use eastwood internal frame coating with their 360 spray nozzle hose. Then seal up hole and caulk those rivets up as best as possible. Thats my 1 minute gameplan brainstorming.

Looks like the rivets were not the best idea.

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-internal-frame-coating-14oz-aerosol.html

 

Hey @BKinzey sorry to see this. We have received some feed back on this issue and have a fix. We now use a seal rivet that when installed doesn’t have the hole for moisture to get into. We will make this right for you. Can you please shoot me a DM so we can work out the details of getting you taken care of.

 

Just an update. I bought these used. Was expecting TW to offer suggestions.

Apex has offered to remove the sliders, remove the rivets, drain the water and dry out the tubes, spray in anti rust treatment, put the plates back on using sealed rivets and re-install for free. Their shop is close to LA so all I have to do is drive down there and then return a few days later for them to reinstall.

That's definitely standing behind your product.

I've got an appointment for tomorrow.

 

that's great they are trying to take care of you. i have a set of sliders that have a cover plate with rivets. the powdercoater insisted on assembling tightly before doing the powdercoat exactly for this reason. (wish me luck).

 

They tried something out, it didn't quite work out, they made it right. That's good service.

 

From my experience they have been nothing but great as far as customer service and I've also been very impressed with their products. FWIW, I have the same sliders, riveted on with aluminum rivets, and they've been sitting out in the elements for a three months without any significant rust. Occasionally I'll see a little bit of rust on the edges but nothing that makes me more concerned than the surface rust I see all over the undercarriage. I'm guessing OP's sliders were fully submerged at some point, which should definitely be considered in the design of the parts. I'm going to take Chris' recommendation and add a dab of silicone to the rivet holes to close them up to be safe though.

 

thanks for the good words. If you need anything please let me know!

 

Dropped them off this morning. I decided to pay to have them powder coated while they are off and he will send them out for that.

I'm really pleased with his response and the sliders he builds.

 

It was great to meet you face to face today Brian!

 

Sure is refreshing to see a company back their product this well. Kudos to them for that!

 

Still don’t understand why they are riveting on the fill plates. Welding on would be a much better approach.