Mud and dirt in dog leg will cause rust

bluemx3 · Post by **bluemx3** » April 14th, 2006, 9:26 pm

I'm sure this post would benefit all MX3s, but I do have the V6, so I posted it here. I've owned my MX3 for about 6 months and have taken great care of it since I bought it. Unfortunately, today I was opening the hood and with the door open I noticed some leaves inside the dog leg of the front fender.
I got a long screw driver and removed about a pound of dirt,mud and leaves from the bottom of the dog legs on both sides of the car. I then got a garden hose and power sprayed the inside of the fenders till all the mud etc. was removed and it drained normally. I know if I didn't find this, it would have been only a matter of time before the rust started from the inside. I'm just suggesting that if you haven't already, check and clean all the garbage from the inside of the fenders dog leg and make sure it drains as regular cleaning.

Bochek · Post by **Bochek** » April 14th, 2006, 9:30 pm

you refer to a "dog leg"

what is this?

Bochek

bluemx3 · Post by **bluemx3** » April 14th, 2006, 9:43 pm

The dogleg is the part of the front fender that's behind the wheel closest to the door, I may be incorrect with the term, but if you open the door and look at the backside of the fender closest to the door is the area that I'm talking about. It just seems to collect, mud, dirt and clogs the drain area of the fender.

XxantwawnxX · Post by **XxantwawnxX** » April 14th, 2006, 10:54 pm

YEa i cant seem to keep that clean...alwasy has soem wet leaves in there

PATDIESEL · Post by **PATDIESEL** » April 15th, 2006, 2:36 am

A good reminder post. Good looking out.

That crap builds up in there pretty fast so we could all use to take a quick look even if we have cleaned it out before. I wich Mazda had taken a bit of extra time and developed a cowl that would block that hole. I've not seen too many cars that have that pocket, but it is one of only a few gripes I have about the MX-3s design. (other than switches and seat-belts)

mitmaks · Post by **mitmaks** » April 15th, 2006, 2:43 am

bodyshops usually call part just behind rear door a dog leg. Anyways I make sure to wash wheel wells real good when I wash my car

Hoodzy · Post by **Hoodzy** » April 15th, 2006, 3:59 am

yah i had a bunch of leaves in mine when i first got it sprayed it clean i hope for the most part and sprayed a bunch of rust protection in there haah

PATDIESEL · Post by **PATDIESEL** » April 15th, 2006, 6:09 am

It is 6am here and I just cannot sleep for some reason...

Anyway, I just thought of a funny story. The first time I noticed the "dog leg" I found a ton of dirt and a pine tree sapling growing in the drivers side. I should have pulled it out and replanted it.

den · Post by **den** » April 15th, 2006, 10:24 am

Hehe when I bought my car it had like 2pounds of dirt on each side. I never really saw till I brought it in for a rust proof. They suggested to clean it and just brick it back and they'll spray it again for free.

matrice · Post by **matrice** » June 13th, 2006, 6:42 pm

just cleaned mine out today, lots of nice mud and leaves, I also had a little maple tree starting too.

BADMX3 · Post by **BADMX3** » June 13th, 2006, 7:35 pm

been doing my car recently and i know you guy's won't believe it but i take top prize. Among the crap that had collected on my drivers side i found a snail shell lol. looked like it been there a long time

mx-3north · Post by **mx-3north** » June 16th, 2006, 7:49 pm

When i got mine 2 years ago it had a ton of mud and leaves in both sides. It took quite a lot of work to clean it all out. I've done it 3 times now and each time it's full