2000 Toyota Tundra SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

This complaint is to document severe frame damage due to corrosion my 2000 Toyota Tundra. The rusted frames of the 2000-2003 Tundra’s are a well-documented problem that the Toyota Corporation has tried, unsuccessfully, to remedy in the past but continues to be a safety hazard to passengers and other innocent people when the frame finally fails. Some owners have been fortunate enough to have their frame replaced while others, like myself, have been told there is nothing available to remedy the problem. As seen in the attached pictures, I have significant corrosion along the frame walls where two pieces of steel were sandwiched together to reinforce the frame from where the gas tank is located to the rise where the bed attaches. These areas are crucial as the cross members of the frame attach to one another to form a solid body. Failure of this area would cause the truck cab to separate from the bed in the event of a crash, or even a deep pothole. It would also likely drop the gas tank out of the frame and impact the pavement with disastrous consequences for anyone around. I have reached out to my local Toyota dealer who stated “your vehicle is part of a class-action lawsuit and we cannot do anything without the Toyota Corporation’s approval.” They gave me the phone number of Toyota Customer Relations who kept repeating to me that “the truck is out of warranty and are no recalls available for my VIN number”. I have researched my VIN [XXX] ) and it does indeed appear to be included in a frame replacement program. When pressed about the inclusion of my truck in the program, they once again reference the warranty expiration and VIN exclusion. There were an estimated 110,000 trucks impacted by the faulty metallurgy process of the frames and Toyota was awarded a settlement from the Dana Corporation that manufactured the frames but not all owners have been recipients of the award. Please advise. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Frame of the vehicle is starting to rust, clear coat paint is wearing off and is starting to chip with small spots of rust on the roof and hood, lower ball joint failure due to corrosion and degraded components. Unknown why the lower ball joint failed. Vehicle is not in the rust belt but definitely experiences corrosion and suspension issues.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, RUST WAS NOTICED ON THE FRAME, CROSS MEMBER, AND THE FUEL STRAPS, WHICH WERE EXTENDING TO THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE COMPONENTS COULD FRACTURE. THE DEALER (CUMBERLAND TOYOTA, 1540 INTERSTATE DR, COOKEVILLE, TN 38501, (931) 520-4149) INDICATED THAT THE STATUTE EXPIRED TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REMEDY AND REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEANING ON THE DRIVER SIDE. AFTER INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER SPARE TIRE HOLDER WAS CORRODED THROUGH THE FRAME. IN ADDITION, THE SPRING FRACTURED THE FRAME AND CAUSED THE REAR AXLE TO MOVE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V444000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 288,437. UPDATED 08/02/16*LJ UPDATED 08/08/16.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. AFTER THE VEHICLE STRUCK A POTHOLE, IT MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE O2 SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, STATED THAT THE U-BOLT DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,604.

I WAS RECENTLY DOING SOME ROUTINE REPAIRS ON MY 2000 TUNDRA AND NOTICED THE LEFT REAR FRAME RAIL & SPARE TIRE CROSSOVER HAS VERY SEVERE RUST DAMAGE. ON 9/21/2011 THIS 2000 TUNDRA WAS INSPECTED FOR FRAME RUST BY A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I ASKED THE TECH WHAT WAS THE METHOD FOR INSPECTION, HE REPLIED THEY WOULD HIT THE FRAME WITH A HAMMER IN THREE TO FOUR AREAS, IF THEY WERE UNABLE TO PUNCH A HOLE IN THE FRAME IT PASSED INSPECTION. THE SPARE TIRE WAS NOT REMOVED TO INSPECT THE SPARE TIRE CROSSOVER. THE LEFT REAR FRAME AREA (WHERE THE WORST DAMAGE IS ON MY FRAME) IS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO HIT WITH A HAMMER WITH THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE. TOYOTA & THE DEALERSHIP IS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS MATTER. I BELIEVE THAT IF THIS FRAME WAS IN GOOD SHAPE IN 2011 IT SHOULD STILL BE ROAD WORTHY TODAY (IT IS NOT) I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY TUNDRA OWNER THAT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS, THEY KNEW THAT THESE FRAMES WERE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FAIL, I NOW HAVE A TRUCK WITH AN ABOVE AVERAGE BODY PERFECT INTERIOR AND A WELL MAINTAINED DRIVE TRAIN THAT IS BASICALLY WORTHLESS. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO REPLACE THESE FRAMES WHEN THEY DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM INJURY OR WORSE DEATH? I HAVE BEEN DRIVING TOYOTA'S SINCE 1984, THIS IS FIRST TIME THE FRAME FAILED BEFORE THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. AND NOW I HEAR THE ARE HAVING FRAME RUST PROBLEMS WITH LATER MODEL TUNDRA'S & TACOMA'S. *TR

THIS VEHICLE AS A LOT OF FRAME RUST WHERE THE FRAME CONNECTS TO THE LEAF SPRINGS. I HAVE ADDRESSED THIS WITH TOYOTA AND THEY DO NOT SEE IT AS AN ISSUE SINCE IT WAS NOT IN ONE OF THE 20 STATES THEY CONSIDERED "SALT" STATES. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TACOMAS AND TUNDRAS WITHIN THIS VINTAGE. IF THERE IS NOT PERFORATION, THEN THEY SEE IT AS NOT A PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH LOTS OF SCALING LEADS TO PERFORATIONS AND POSSIBLE WEAKNESS WHERE THE SUSPENSION CONNECTS TO THE FRAME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE STABILIZER BAR AND THE FRAME WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND RESULTED IN DETERIORATION. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO PREVIOUS E-MAIL SENT 12/6/2010 ODI #10375754 TOYOTA HAS ADDRESSED THE FRAME AND CROSSMEMBER BUT NOT THE BRACKETS HOLDING EVERYTHING TO FRAME.THE PICTURES I SENT SHOW SIGNIFICANT RUST AND NOW TWO YEARS LATER TOYOTA HAS NOT RESPONDED TO THE PROBLEM.THE RUST ON THE LEAF SPRING BRACKET IS DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO FAILING.IS THERE ANY COURSE OF ACTION TO GET TOYOTA TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THANKS FOR ANY HELP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V444000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE CONTACT HAD THE RECALL COMPONENT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE CONTACT EXITING AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL HAD SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 163,075. UPDATED 2/4/13 *CN UPDATED 02/21/13

I OWN A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA 4X4 LIMITED ACCESS CAB. I TOOK IT IN TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON 4/26/2010 FOR UNRELATED SERVICING AND BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE REAR FRAME COMPONENTS. I HAD HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL AND ASSUMED THAT THEY WOULD TELL ME SOMETHING. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OK, AND THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTED WHEN THEY HAVE THE ANTI-CORROSIVE TREATMENT READY. TODAY IS 11/24/2010 AND I HAVE STILL HEARD NOTHING. PIECES OF THE FRAME RAILS CONTINUE TO FLAKE AND FALL OFF IN SHEETS (SOME APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES LONG AND 1/16TH OF AN INCH THICK OR GREATER). I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THIS VEHICLE. I'M ESPECIALLY WORRIED THAT THE REAR SPRINGS WILL GIVE OUT WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE INJURY OR WORSE. NHTSA AND USDOT SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO COMPENSATE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES AS WAS DONE FOR THE TACOMAS THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE RUSTING PROBLEM IS MUCH GREATER THAN JUST THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER. *TR

2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA EXCESSIVE FRAME AND COMPONET RUST

----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE ----- TO: BILL WISE ; [email protected] SENT: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2010 8:53 AM SUBJECT: FW: WEBSITE INQUIRY IT TURNS OUT THAT I HAVE TO REPLACED ANOTHER "LEFT FRONT AXLE, FRONT AXLE SEALS, BEARINGS, PLUS LOWER BALL JOINT\SEALS", AGAIN, BECAUSE THE BEARING AND THE BOOTH (SEALS) LEAKS WHICH MAKES THE BEARINGS TO DRY OUT AND BROKE LOOSE AND LANDED RIGHT ON TOP OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT WHICH CAUSES THE DAMAGED TO THE LOWER BALL JOINT, TOO. ACCORDING TO MY MEMORY, I HAD REPLACED "THE WHOLE ENTIRE FRONT END "DRIVE AXLE", AND BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT IN 2006 AND THEY WERE NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY, SO I DID TOOK IT TO YOUR TOYOTA'S SHOP IN ORDER TO GET IT FIXED RIGHT AND. WITH PARTS AND LABORS, I'VE PAID YOU GUYS ALMOST $2,000.00, WHICH ONLY LAST ME LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS AND THEN IT'S START OVER AGAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME, THAT THE "LEFT FRONT DRIVER AXLE" AND IT'S BEARING GAVE OUT ON ME, AND LUCKILY, BOTH TIMES, I HAVE NOTICED THE NOISE AND PULLED OVER IN TO THE PARKING LOT IN TIME, OTHER WISE, MY TRUCK CAUSES THE ACCIDENT AND\OR SOME ONE COULD HAVE GOT HURT OR KILL. THIS MEANT, I HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER $2,000.00 MORE DOLLARS JUST TO HAVE THE SAME THING DONE TO MY TRUCK AGAIN. I KNOW I CAN SAVE MONEY BY HAVING MY FRIENDS TO HELP ME FIX, BUT I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THAT CHANCE BECAUSE THIS IS THE SECOND TIMES THE "LEFT DRIVER SIDE (FRONT AXLE) WENT OUT ON ME AND I DON'T WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HURTING ANYONE OR MIGHT BE WORST. PLEASE ADVISE. ACCORDING TO BILLS OF SERVICE FROM TOYOTA DEALER SHOP: C: PERFORM 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENT ALN HAD TO READJUST ENTIRE FRONT END (FRONT AXLE) D: REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKING, PRICE REPAIR AXLE REPLACED BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS/BEARINGS. REPLACED LEFT FRONT AXLE BEARING.RESURFACED *TR

LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT FAILED, WHILE TOWING A TRAILER WITH MY WIFE AND A TWO YEAR OLD. MECHANIC FOUND "SEVERE RUST" AND STATED VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE DRIVE. *TR

MY 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5 4WD PICKUP FRAME IS RUSTING TO THE POINT THAT IT SOON WILL RUST THROUGH NEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNT POINT. IT ONLY HAS 112,000 MILES AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN WINTER FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS. I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM AS WELL, BUT THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT TUNDRA FRAME RUSTING AT THIS TIME. *TR

2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA WITH RUST HOLES THROUGH FRAME OVER AND BESIDE REAR SHOCK BRACKETS AND SPRING BRACKETS. I AM AT MY WITS END WITH TOYOTA AND HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT AT EVERY LEVEL. THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY SELF AND OTHER DRIVERS, IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE FRAME WILL SNAP IN HALF. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD AND THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY, I REPORTED THIS WITH TOYOTA ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD PUT IT IN THE SYSTEM? NOW MARCH OF 2009 TOYOTA HAS INSPECTED THE TRUCK AND ADMITS THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT WANT TO RESOLVE IT. I CAN GO ON LINE AND FIND ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA DODGING THE ISSUE. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO SINCE THEY HAVE ALREADY HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THE OTHER TRUCKS THEY MANUFACTURE. I PLAN TO ALSO NOTIFY MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THEY POSSIBLY COULD BE INSURING A POTENTIAL DISASTER. YOUR HELP AND INPUT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

TOYOTA TUNDRA WITH MAJOR RUST ON THE FRAME, MANY PARTS HAVE FALLEN OFF INCLUDING SPARE TIRE MOUNT. I HAVE THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT AND MANY PICTURES. I HAVE GONE TO A DEALERSHIP ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND THEY SAID THEY KNEW NOTHING AND COULDN'T HELP ME. *TR

EXCESSIVE PREMATURE RUSTING OF FRAME AND COMPONENTS, SPRING SHACKLES, SPARE TIRE AREA. TRUCKED FAILED MA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION ON 11/24/09 AND IS CONSIDERED UNDRIVEABLE UNTIL REPAIRS ARE MADE. I AM AWARE OF A RECALL IN EFFECT ON OR BEFORE 12/15/09 AND ALSO PLAN TO CONTACT TOYOTA FOR AN INSPECTION. *TR

I BROUGHT MY 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA IN TO BE SERVICED AT MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. IT WAS DETERMINED THEN TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND THE LEAF SPRING HAS PENETRATED THE TRUCK BED. THIS TRUCK HAS REGULARLY BEEN MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. ADDITIONAL RUST PROOFING WAS PURCHASED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. OTHER THAN THE RUSTING FRAME, THE VEHICLE WORKS VERY WELL. NOW IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN AND THERE IS NO SUGGESTION THAT IT CAN BE FIXED. I AM AWARE THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TACOMA MODEL AND THAT TOYOTA HAS REIMBURSED TACOMA OWNERS ONE AND ONE HALF TIMES THE BLUE BOOK VALUE. I AM ALSO AWARE THAT TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM WITH THE TUNDRA. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ARE UNRESPONSIVE TO ME. I AM CURRENTLY RENTING A VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET TO WORK AS I AWAIT THE NEXT STEP IN THIS PROCESS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE WITH THEM AS IT IS UNSAFE AND UNFIT TO DRIVE. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME INEQUITY IN THIS SITUATION. I HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED TO REPORT THIS TO YOU. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND THE FRAME IS ROTTING,I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLES REPLACED, AND THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK IS VERY RUSTY,THE SHOCKS ARE ROTTED ALSO. *TR

2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA 2WD 4DR PICKUP. SEVERE FRAME RUST. THE BACK JOINT THAT HOLDS THE LEAF SPRING TO THE FRAME RUSTED ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE SPRING SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE SWERVED SOME GOING OVER A HIGHWAY ROAD DIP AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE SPRING APPARENTLY SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING IS CLOSE TO SEPARATING ALSO ON ACCOUNT OF THE SEVERE RUST OF THE VEHICLES FRAME. IT IS SITTING AT A DEALERSHIP IN EAST STOUDSBURG SINCE OCT. 12 AWAITING TOYOTA FIELD REP AND COMPANY TO MAKE SOME KIND OF DECISION. *TR

FRAME IS EXCESSIVELY RUSTED. AT THE FRAME MEMBER WHERE THE REAR LEAF SPRING IS ATTACHED THE FRAME IS FLAKING AND SEPARATING. IT LOOKS LIKE THE FRAME MEMBER WILL BRAKE LOOSE ANY TIME SEPARATING THE LEAF SPRING FROM THE FRAME. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND IT IS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE I CANNOT GET A NEW INSPECTION STICKER. THIS PAST WEEKEND I WAS DRIVING AND THE SPARE TIRE WAS SO BADLY RUSTED IT BROKE LOOSE FROM THE MOUNT AND NEARLY CAUSED ME TO CRASH AS IT JAMMED BENEATH MY VEHICLE. IT THEN BOUNCED BACK AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. THIS WAS A VERY NEAR MISS! I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH TOYOTA TO HAVE THEM HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY ARE DOING NOTHING. I AM HOPING THAT THEY WILL DO FOR US WHAT THEY DID FOR TACOMA OWNERS. *TR UPDATED 03/25/10 *BF RECEIVED PICTURES. UPDATED 09/15/10

2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5 XCAB 4X4 HAS EXTREME FLAKING RUST ALL OVER FRAME, FRONT BUMPER TO REAR. BODY METAL IS FINE. PART OF FRAME IS BUCKLING/FLEXING, FRONT RIGHT STABILIZER MOUNT HAS SNAPPED OFF WITH NOTHING TO WELD TO. SEVERAL WELD AREAS HAVE WEAKENED OR LET GO. PROBLEM BECAME NOTICEABLE IN 2005 (AT 60,000 ODOMETER MILES). SLOWLY GOT WORSE. LOGGED CASE WITH TOYOTA IN 2008 WHEN FRAME BEGAN TO FLEX. NO PROGRAM TO HELP. SEVERELY WORSE IN 2009. UPDATED CASE WITH TOYOTA. STILL NO OFFER OF HELP OR REMEDY, JUST "WE ARE LOOKING INTO IT". NO LONGER ABLE TO SAFELY TOW, WILL SOON BE UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE. BODY LOOKS GREAT, BUT CHASSIS FRAME IS FLAKING TO NOTHING. *TR

AFTER HEARING THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA, I DECIDED TO PUT MY 2000 TUNDRA UP ON A LIFT. BOY WHAT A SURPRISE I HAVE 55 PICTURES OF PROBLEM AREAS THAT ARE VERY CONCERNING. THERE IS A 3" SECTION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRAME RAIL BY THE FRONT OF THE LEAF SPRING CARRIAGE HOLDER THAT IS WAVY IT IS VISIBLE IN THE PICS THAT IS HOW BAD IT IS. MAJOR RUST ALL ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRAME RAIL FROM FRONT TO REAR. BEFORE LOWERING THE TRUCK ALL THE WAY I LOOKED AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT SHOCK HOLDER AND WAS NOT IMPRESSED WITH THE AMOUNT OF RUST THAT IS EATEN THROUGH AT THIS POINT. *TR