Rust: frame rails, strut towers, spare well and wheel arches
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What causes "Rust: frame rails, strut towers, spare well and wheel arches" on the Nissan 240SX (S14, 1995-1998), and how is it fixed?
Age and road salt; one UK guide says the S14 may have slightly less rust than the S13 only because it is newer. Fix: Inspect underneath and in the trunk; walk away from structural rot.
Symptoms
Rot at rear arches, sills, strut towers, battery tray, trunk floor and frame rails.
Cause
Age and road salt; one UK guide says the S14 may have slightly less rust than the S13 only because it is newer.
Fix (summary)
Inspect underneath and in the trunk; walk away from structural rot.
Related build entries
Other S14 problems
- Recall: brake warning lamp may not light when fluid is low (1995)
- KA24DE timing chain rattle from worn upper chain guide
- Soft subframe and diff bushings: clunks and wheel hop
- Not every S14 is 5-lug: the Base is 4x114.3
- No NHTSA recalls returned for 1996-1998
- Power window regulators wear out
More for this car
- All Nissan 240SX (S14, 1995-1998) fitment answers · S14 common problems
- Newsletter archive: past issues with every new and corrected entry
Sources
- 240SX buying guide — NICO Club (Nissan enthusiast site; Dec 10, 2009) (editorial; read 2026-10-26; full page read)
- How the Nissan Silvia (240SX) went from humble coupe to drift king — Hagerty Media (Apr 8, 2020) (editorial; read 2026-10-26; full page read)Look for rust by the spoiler, trunk, wheel wells and frame rails.
- S13/S14 Silvia common problems: complete buyer guide — Stance Auto Magazine (UK) (editorial; read 2026-10-26; full page read)
Summaries are in our own words. Not repair instructions; consult the factory service manual.
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