Has anyone else had a problem with the plastic bumper below their rear fenders (rear quarter panels) rubbing and taking off the paint at the front edge of the fender just behind the rear tires. I have rust spots developing on my 04 Mazda 3 Sport GT on both the driver and passenger sides. I have brought the car to the dealer and they say that stone chips caused the rust and they can not provide warranty. When I push back the plastic bumper I can clearly see that the paint was removed from rubbing which must be caused by vibrations. I believe this is a manufacturers defect and am going to try to get my dealer to take care of the issue. I am very dissapointed that the car I love (and take very good care of) is starting to rust after only 3 years. Has anyone else heard of this problem? Any advice?
Rear Fenders Rubbing??
- Thread starter gogriffin
- Start date
Common Issue??
This problem may not be an isolated issue. I just took a look at a friend's 05 Mazda 3 GT and his paint is worn in the same place - just behind the rear tires where the plastic bumper meets the metal quarter panel. His paint is worn off, but not through the undercoat yet, but is is just a matter of time and I am sure he will have rust like I do. Push back the plastic bumper a little (right on the edge) to see if you have this issue and perhaps it can be repaired before you get rust like I have. FYI - I have priced out the repair at an autobody shop and it is going to cost $850 to repair and repaint the panels. Check your cars, I would be very interested to know just how common this issue is.
This problem may not be an isolated issue. I just took a look at a friend's 05 Mazda 3 GT and his paint is worn in the same place - just behind the rear tires where the plastic bumper meets the metal quarter panel. His paint is worn off, but not through the undercoat yet, but is is just a matter of time and I am sure he will have rust like I do. Push back the plastic bumper a little (right on the edge) to see if you have this issue and perhaps it can be repaired before you get rust like I have. FYI - I have priced out the repair at an autobody shop and it is going to cost $850 to repair and repaint the panels. Check your cars, I would be very interested to know just how common this issue is.
http://www.protegefaq.net/tsb/09-018-04.html
and make sure your car doesn't have any oversized tires on the stock wheels... the wheel wells on the 3 are small and cannot accept any plus sized tires without rubbing!
and make sure your car doesn't have any oversized tires on the stock wheels... the wheel wells on the 3 are small and cannot accept any plus sized tires without rubbing!
mazda3zoom
Member
- :
- Sweetest Car Ever
its got nothing to do with the tires hitting, mine did this on both sides. It bothers the hell outta me too, but theres nothing to do short of repainting the whole rear of the car. Depending on what color you have it can be tricky getting it faded right too...
I gotta pic and you can kinda see where hes talkin about, the plastic is rubbing the bottom edge of the quarter panel...
I gotta pic and you can kinda see where hes talkin about, the plastic is rubbing the bottom edge of the quarter panel...
Attachments
fixes?
I am getting both rear quarter panels repainted, but am wondering if anyone has any solution as to how to avoid this issue in the future. Connecting the two pieces would avoid the rubbing which is what I think causes the problem, but would it cause any other issues?
I am getting both rear quarter panels repainted, but am wondering if anyone has any solution as to how to avoid this issue in the future. Connecting the two pieces would avoid the rubbing which is what I think causes the problem, but would it cause any other issues?
mazda3zoom
Member
- :
- Sweetest Car Ever
no idea man, are u gettin it fixed under warrenty?
