So its my first winter and already my axles are showing rust. Not a ton, but its there. Is this normal? I know the steering knuckles develop surface rust, but on the axles already? Any ideas?

 

Assume they salt the roads where you are? If so, normal.

 

Yes they salt. But will this damage my Jeep? Should I be attacking it as it appears? I don't want car cancer.

 

Rust on the Axles.......sounds like a lost David Allen Coe country music tune.

 

Axles are going to rust up here. Not much you can do about it unless you want to get under there with a wire brush and a rattle can periodically. Won't hurt anything because the wall thickness on the tubes and the pumpkin castings are pretty thick. Keep a much closer eye on underside body sheetmetal.

 

If you want to stop this, wait till this spring when the weather is nice and use POR 15 products. Google them and read up. I have used their stuff on trailers, lawnmower decks and my JK. Great Stuff.

 

I have some POR 15. Is it safe to apply in the winter, or should I wait for better weather?

 

From the POR-15 web site:
Recommended Temperature Application: 45°F - 95°F

 

IMHO

As taught to me by a tow truck owner. Spray everything down with WD-40 I have done it and it works like a charm. I don't have the road salt to deal with in florida, just salty air, but the steering knuckles (?) seem to come with factory rust and this has solved that problem and keeps everything under the JK nice a clean looking.

POR 15 is awesome stuff too, but you can't paint everything.

 

I used POR 15 on my TJ when I lived in Minnesota and it worked great to keep the rust at bay. You probably can still apply it even though it's outside the recommended application temperature. It might just take longer to dry. Give the manufacturer a call to find out for sure.