Helpppp!!! Found rust under back seats

Any suggestions and has this happened to anyone? Was vacuuming under the seats on the back and when I folded them up I see rust??!!!!

 

What part of the country are you in? Probably surface rust from humidity

 

@CaptainGrumpus im in southern ca.

@NewImprovedRon that would make sense since my little boy sits there and always has a water bottle.......what should I do. Steel brush it off??

 

000 Steel Wool would be a good start. Go more aggressive if it doesnt remove it. 00 Steel wool would be more aggressive then 000.

You can get the pads at any hardware store or Amazon

 

Make sure you don’t have a 3rd brake light leak

 

Thank you so much for your help guys!

 

If you can get in there with a spray can, Id hit it with some Rustoleum after removing the rust.

 

might have been your kid dropping off water there

 

What's he been drinking, pickle juice? I wouldn't think occasional water spills could cause that much rust.

 

@CaptainGrumpus ok I’ll order some now thanks again

@bleach well just water...but that’s the only thing that makes sense. I guess over a period of time......I usually get the truck washed so I never really had a reason to look under there until now....

 

I had pretty much the same rust issue in my 16 Tacoma a few years back. Ended up being the 3rd brake light. Haven’t had that issue on my Tundra but it’s in the back of my mind.

 

@devdomski oh ok that’s good to know. What do I do if that’s the case?

 

Take it to the dealer if it’s still under warranty. With the Tacoma I just traded it in for the Tundra. Lol

Edit: The cushioning inside the seats became wasted and smelled like mold. I wanted the Tundra anyway so instead of fighting with the dealer to replace the seats I just traded it in

 

@StihlBuckin thanks!!! I have a pro comp stage 2 with coil overs 35” toyo mt tires xd rims. I love it and just barely got it to fit in my garage lol

 

If it ends up being the 3rd brake light, or even what the other guy mentioned, you could just use some sealant

 

The rear seat and is easy to take out - remove it and steel wool with some black spray paint like others suggested- with the seat removed you can look under the carpet also to check for where water may have gone.

 

Did you change out the lights in the 3rd light? Like put LEDs?

 

@spdrcer26 ok will do. Thank you everyone for your help really appreciate it.

@devdomski no never touched that light although thought about it a bunch never got around to it so that’s all original.

 

any special instructions on removing the seat I should know in advance? Thanks again guys

 

8 bolts. Easy, just heavy.

 

Yes, the bolts are not all the same(different thread) so keep track of where they came from and don't set the seat down once you pull it up. It has a stud or piece of metal on the bottom that will punch holes in your carpet. I did it by myself, but an extra set of hands would really help

 

@TXTundra2722 oh ok I’ll note that. This is the single side i need to do passenger side. The drivers side back seat has no rust at all

 

Definitely good info there. I forgot about how i punched a hole in the carpet. Lol

 

The single seat side threads are the same and it is not as heavy. You can do it yourself.

 

How would I check for the brake leak? Just put water over it?

 

You could spray a hose at it from above. Just try to simulate rainfall. Then check for water inside.

Edit: Although it could be forced in by wind while driving in rain? So maybe just shoot the hose at it. Lol.

 

Perfect. I ordered all the stuff you all told me about will do all that listed. Thank you again guys you’ve all been very helpful

 

Are you out of your warranty period?

Edit: I ask because by the looks of the rust, it could be somethings thats gone on for a while. And if its anything like my tacoma, you could have an issue with the seat cushion and mold. Just something to look into. Smell the seat cushion.

 

Yes I’m out of warranty it’s a 2015. And I’m in the truck now and I don’t smell any kind of mold at all. I’m double checking the drivers side back and no rust at all. Just the single back side but no mold smell