How much rust is too much?

[JT4SC]

Hey guys,

I've attached a couple pics of a bus chassis I'm looking at purchasing, but I'm not sure how much rust is acceptable, and when should I run?  Any guidance would be appreciated. 

[lvmci]

If your in the southwest run, not many people here know how you fix rusty parts.
My friend Gary told me if there is a bubble under the paint, pierce it. If there's rust bubbles under the paint,  there's way more you can't see...

[JT4SC]

If your in the southwest run, not many people here know how you fix rusty parts.
My friend Gary told me if there is a bubble under the paint, pierce it. If there's rust bubbles under the paint,  there's way more you can't see...

Thanks!!  I don't believe there's rust outside of these suspension parts, but I will have the coach thoroughly inspected. 
Does the rust shown in the pictures look deeper to you than typical surface rust?  To me it looks like surface rust, with the exception of the bottom plate of the airbag housing (picture attached again below), but I'm not sure if this is cause for concern or not?

[Glennman]

From the pictures you showed, it doesn't look like a deal breaker (assuming you are looking to purchase it). My bus looks worse than yours, but of course I only paid $1000 for it, so I can tolerate some fairly expensive repairs. I suppose it comes down to price and how much work you are willing to undertake. I recently removed my air dryer to replace the filter (and other parts). It looked terribly rusty, but by the time I got it in the shop, cleaned it up and painted it, it turned out to be no big deal. I've been watching "The Motorcoach Technician" on YouTube. He recently did an episode titled exactly to your question "How Much Rust is Too Much Rust?" He covers the subject very well, and explains that, sure, it can be a problem, but it is all fixable. If you do the work yourself, ok, but if you have to pay someone every time something needs fixed, then sure, it will be expensive. I'm not afraid of it. To each his own, and good luck!

[JT4SC]

From the pictures you showed, it doesn't look like a deal breaker (assuming you are looking to purchase it). My bus looks worse than yours, but of course I only paid $1000 for it, so I can tolerate some fairly expensive repairs. I suppose it comes down to price and how much work you are willing to undertake. I recently removed my air dryer to replace the filter (and other parts). It looked terribly rusty, but by the time I got it in the shop, cleaned it up and painted it, it turned out to be no big deal. I've been watching "The Motorcoach Technician" on YouTube. He recently did an episode titled exactly to your question "How Much Rust is Too Much Rust?" He covers the subject very well, and explains that, sure, it can be a problem, but it is all fixable. If you do the work yourself, ok, but if you have to pay someone every time something needs fixed, then sure, it will be expensive. I'm not afraid of it. To each his own, and good luck!

Thanks Glennman, I'll check out that video!!!

[luvrbus]

It is mostly surface rust,on the D,J and E's look for rust above the air bags,when they rust there and at the rear and tag axles on the sides then you pass on it BTDT with a air bag through the floor. Check the engine cradle beams for rust and cracks that can be a expensive repair, what you are showing in the photos is nothing to worry about. I have a friend in Scottsdale that spent months sandblasting and painting the underside of his DL because he didn't like surface rust, it was a overkill but he did it anyways, you can crawl under it a white shirt and never get dirty, I cannot get his photos to post here sorry.You find rust on any bus even Prevost buses are not all Stainless steel they all use iron in high stress areas to flex, there is no flex to Stainless it breaks       

[JT4SC]

It is mostly surface rust,on the D,J and E's look for rust above the air bags,when they rust there and at the rear and tag axles on the sides then you pass on it BTDT with a air bag through the floor. Check the engine cradle beams for rust and cracks that can be a expensive repair, what you are showing in the photos is nothing to worry about. I have a friend in Scottsdale that spent months sandblasting and painting the underside of his DL because he didn't like surface rust, it was a overkill but he did it anyways, you can crawl under it a white shirt and never get dirty, I cannot get his photos to post here sorry.You find rust on any bus even Prevost buses are not all Stainless steel they all use iron in high stress areas to flex, there is no flex to Stainless it breaks     

Nobody I trust more than you Cliff, I'll make sure to have the engine cradle beams inspected and re-inspect all air bag steel.  Thanks!!

[luvrbus]

Buses use a lot of Corten Steel it's made to surface rust to protect it's self like the bridges on the highways

[Boomer]

No matter the age, no matter the brand if you stick to one hard and fast rule you are likely many dollars ahead:  just buy one that is documented fleet operated only on the west coast or southwest.

[JT4SC]

No matter the age, no matter the brand if you stick to one hard and fast rule you are likely many dollars ahead:  just buy one that is documented fleet operated only on the west coast or southwest.

Excellent advise!!!