Quick question about reinstalling rocker guards.

[DraykenK]

I would like to take my rocker guards off, and replace the bolts with some new stainless steel bolts. And I'm praying there isn't much rust behind there! A could questions:

1) if there is rust, would you recommend that I just sand it down, and paint? It will be covered back up by the guard, so it wouldn't have to be pretty.

2) when I reinstall, would you put a strip of 3M double sided tape along the top, to keep it sealed from water and dirt running down in? Or maybe a bead of silicone? Or no?

 

[CRGR]

I'd just pull the old screws and directly replace themy with stainless without removing the rocker guards. that way any existing seal wouldn't be compromised.

 

[Chris]

If there is rust under there, definitely, definitely sand it down and treat it with something like POR15. Rust is like cancer, it grows and it never stops unless you take care of it. Since that area is covered by the rocker guards, it would be no big deal if you went through the factory paint, since it's covered up anyways.

I might actually use a small bead of silicone there. If you applied it carefully you'd never notice. Of course I don't think you have to, I think the main issue is taking care of ANY and ALL rust, since it will get worse if you don't.

 

[DraykenK]

I have no idea if there was ever any kind of seal to begin with. It was installed by the PO. The jeep itself was is GREAT condition, so not sure if there is rust or not, but you can see rust on the bolts and see rust between the rocker and body, where the bolts are. Just don't know if it is from the bolts or the rocker or body.

ALSO, since I'm asking about preventing some rust, I got another question. There is a drain hole, in the rocker panel, under the doors. When it rains, the water that runs from the hood and fenders, seem to drain thru that hole. It's rust free right now, but does anyone spray anything up into that hole? Like maybe the same eastwood internal frame spray that many of us have used on the chassis? Just curious.

 

[Chris]

Those are aftermarket rocker guards, so chances are they never had a seal to begin with. The factory rocker guards on the Rubicon models had seals, but again, those were a factory part.

Only one way to tell if there's rust under them, remove them. Then replace those bolts with a galvanized or stainless steel bolt (which won't easily rust) when you replace them.

I know the hole you're talking about. I spray Fluid Film up there just to be safe. I'd rather be safe than sorry after all!