Hi Guys

I have quite a big rust patch developing on the bodywork behind my front wheel arch on my 2005 Focus (see attached pic).

Am I right in thinking this is a known problem for the 2005 Focus? Was there some sort of fix released by Ford, which by the looks of things my car missed?

How serious does my rust look and what would be necessary to get it rectified?

Thanks

During production (about 2006) Ford installed a small plastic piece as a modification to prevent stonechips damaging the wheel arch. Early Focus MK2 versions did not have this plastic piece and Ford never installed them afterwards either. However some people installed them theirselves after they repaired the wheel arches.

In your case the stone chips caused a lot of rust during time. Your best option may be replacing the complete front wing. This may be cheaper than removing all rust and repainting the front wing.

You should also check for rust between the gap where the front and rear bumpers meet the wheel arches. Rust between these gaps as a result of dirt/water and vibrations is a known problem of the Focus MK2/MK2.5.

So what is this plastic piece referred to as and where would I buy it?

Would installing mudflaps help?

Is my rust only cosmetic or might it be more serious?

The plastic piece looks like this:

* Picture taken from another topic.

More information about this subject can be found in the following topic:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/8380-known-rust-problems-on-mk2-focus-front-wheel-arches/page-1

This is the reason I shelled out a bit more and got a mk2.5, as all the mk2s I looked at had this problem. That, well, in my opinion, rubbish bit of trim they stuck on it only serves to slow it down, doesn't stop it. My Focus, although the sills are still intact, has peppered sills from stone chips and other high-speed detritus being launched at them. I will be retrofitting mud flaps when finances allow.

Sent via the 'Clacks'

GNU STP

what your after is a plastic trim that fits on the sills and front whel arch that looks like this link:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Focus-MK1-Black-Side-Sill-Skirt-Body-Moulding-Trims-/251978400308?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&fits=Model%3AFocus&hash=item3aab154234

go to a scrapyard and pick up a set. they are held on by hex bolts so keep hold of them too as you will need them

edit:

found an old pic of my car with the sill trim

obviously yours is damaged more than the trim covers so a replacement wing is required unless you are happy to sand it down to metal and have it painted.

In previous years, we would sand it back and apply a nice coat of black underseal paint along the whole sill....

Note that the trim goes along the whole of the sill, not just for the wing. Take your time removing it from the donor, and don't pull on it too hard and distort it. When you stick it on your car, make sure both surfaces are completely clean and decontaminated, don't want to make it worse.

Sent via the 'Clacks'

GNU STP