It looks a little like the Renault Logan body, but these cars have one platform. For Duster, it was slightly stretched in length. Renault Duster in a new body, this is of course a myth, during the last update, the manufacturer did not change the power structure of the body.
The very first European crash tests showed that the Duster body is frankly weak for a crossover. In a collision with an obstacle according to the EuroNCAP method, the car showed only 3 stars for safety.
You can find quite a lot of videos of real accidents on the net, where, with a small collision or an accident, the body of the Renault Duster is crumpled like paper. Upon closer inspection of the car, when using the doors, it does not leave the feeling that the metal is very thin. You can easily press your finger on any element and you will understand that you saved on everything. In this car, it is better not to get into a serious accident.
When buying a used Duster, carefully inspect the roof. If there is cracked paint on the gutters, and the roof itself seems a little wrinkled to you, then this is normal. After all, the body of the Duster has very poor twisting performance, and the rigidity leaves much to be desired. Off-road diagonal hanging for this crossover is generally contraindicated.
Some off-road adventurers put “toothy” tires and additional wheel arch extensions on the budget crossover, which give the car a brutal look and are very practical in real mud. In the workshop "ArtFG" you can order extensions for any car at a reasonable price. Read more at artfg.ru
The fault of the Duster’s weak body torsion was the “B0” platform, which was originally developed for the compact Nissan Micra model (wheelbase 2430 mm). To save on engineering developments, the platform began to be extended in length and larger and larger models were made. So the platform was extended to 2600 mm and Nissan Tiida, Renault Modus and others appeared on the market. Then it was pulled out again and Logan appeared, then it was further increased for the Duster with a wheelbase of 2673 mm.
The body of the Duster is naturally load-bearing, all-metal, welded. Body elements are interconnected by resistance welding, and in hard-to-reach places - by electric welding. Panel joints and welds are sealed with mastic. After welding the panels, the body is subjected to cataphoresis, immersing it in a special bath, to obtain an anti-corrosion coating. An anti-gravel coating is applied to the bottom, sills and wheel arches. The body is then primed and painted. Hidden body cavities are treated with a wax preservative at the factory. From below, several layers of anti-corrosion mastic are applied to the body. Such anti-corrosion treatment of the body allows the manufacturer to establish a long warranty period against the appearance of through corrosion.
The inexpensive Renault Duster crossover gained its popularity due to the high-quality bodywork. This is due to the fact that it is galvanized, but all the same, problems arise during long-term operation. What is it connected with? Of course, with the production and technical process of execution.
Video about how the galvanized body of the Duster rusts in the place of the front fender liner:
Answer from the Belarusian representative office of Renault:
Warranty for the car is 3 years, and against through corrosion a guarantee is 6 years without mileage limitation. The body for Renault Duster is galvanized. It is 100% steel.
Belarusians claim that Renault Duster is 100% galvanized
Duster problem areas
The main problem areas in terms of the Renault Duster body are:
Thus, it is clear that there are quite a few places of environmental impact, even on a galvanized body, especially since it is.
Solutions to the problem
There are several options for solving the problem with the impact and destruction of the body, and they need to be taken at the beginning of the purchase, and not when the consequences have already begun. So, let's consider how to additionally secure the galvanized body of Renault Duster:
Thus, it becomes more realistic and possible to protect Renault Duster from rust.
What is the strength of the Renault Duster body (video)
What is zinc plating?
Complete galvanizing process
Renault Duster has a galvanized body, but why are there problems? To answer this question, you will have to turn a little to history and comparison with other car brands.
So, the galvanization of the body has its origins in the 60s, it is the “galvanized body” itself in full measure. So, some of the cars of the General Motors company were equipped with a power frame made of galvanized iron. These include such well-known cars as the Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Impala, Buick Riviera. At that time, galvanized metal itself was used.
Now, a galvanized body is a car made of metal and covered with special galvanized dust. This is how the Renault Duster body is made. Therefore, problems with body elements appear only in places of strong exposure to water and dirt.
conclusions
Renault Duster has a galvanized body, but only it is not made of special stainless metal, but covered with dust. This, of course, will protect the car more from corrosion, but it does not protect 100%. Therefore, many motorists resort to additional methods of protection.
Torsional rigidity of the body or zhK / c is a value that characterizes the strength features of the automobile skeleton, its durability and safety. This value has a strong influence on the controllability of the car. That is why the world's famous supercars, equipped with carbon fiber and soft lightweight body panels, are distinguished by the highest values of this very parameter. Let's consider the indicators of LCD / c of well-known domestic models, compare them with the indicators of foreign cars.
Indicators of the Lada Kalina model
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The car skeleton of Kalina was designed taking into account the most important canons of industrial safety. Approximately twelve percent of the body elements on this domestic car are made of high-strength steel. More than half of the iron is covered with zinc. For comparison, for example, on the popular "top ten" only 33 percent of iron was galvanized.
As for the LC / c, Kalina's indicator is as much as twenty percent higher than that of the same “ten”. The PB of the Lada Kalina sedan, even without the use of pillows, has 3 out of 5 stars according to the Euro crash test system.
Despite the large amount of criticism against Kalina, designers and engineers of the domestic automobile plant regularly make improvements. In particular, if we take a closer look at Kalina of the second generation, we will see important points.
For example, what a successful exterior is worth - more solid, aggressive and, of course, attractive. All this was achieved with simple tricks: slightly raised the hood, added more chrome lining and improved the appearance of the optics.
Now, as for the management itself. On the former Kalina, it was worth turning the steering wheel to the right and left, as the car began to roll over, although it retained the straightness of movement. It is not known whether anyone dared to experiment with the steering wheel on bad roads, because it threatened almost with a "changeling".
The new Kalina will definitely not give such a reason, since in addition to increasing the value of ZhK / c, a clear steering adjustment was carried out. As a result, it has become easier to go around road bumps, bumps and pits.
Interesting. Sharp steering helped to make the following settings. The “short” rack technology mastered on foreign cars was used, and instead of four turns of the steering wheel, only three were left. And another change concerned more rigid fasteners.
One more fact is noteworthy. Previously, the fixation of the steering was carried out by means of rubber bushings. The technology is proven, but clearly outdated. And at AvtoVAZ they decided to try, however, only on the left rail support a more rigid method of fastening. This immediately paid off, the stiffness of the steering system increased by as much as 25 percent!
AvtoVAZ engineers did a good job adding a new rear suspension compression buffer as well. The part has advanced characteristics that reduce rolls by several times. Coupled with the increased rates of liquid / c, this gives a powerful effect, and more and more Kalina began to resemble Grant with her confident “taxiing” and smooth suspension operation.
Lada Priora
The next domestic model produced at the Volga Automobile Plant is the Lada Priora. Today it is produced in 4 body variations. Priora Coupe is also present in the line of models - it has not won, however, any other popularity among Russians.
An important parameter of the body of the Priora, again, is the value of zhK / c. It is noteworthy that for Priora this figure is 12,000 Nm / deg in the sedan version. For other variations, except for the coupe, it is one row lower.
Despite this, there are general indicators for all 3 models, implying body dimensions. So, the wheelbase, ground clearance and width are the same for all body types (except for the coupe). As for the length, we recall that the sedan indicators are 4350 mm, the hatchback ones are 4210 mm, and the universal ones are 4340 mm. The body height is also different: sedan - 1420 mm, hatchback - 1435 mm, and station wagon - 1508 mm.
Initially, the roof, hood and trunk were considered the weak areas of Priora bodies. It is for this reason that experts insist on the mandatory treatment by the owner of the car of all internal surfaces of problem areas with anticorrosive.
Priora body protection against corrosion is given for 6 years. In practice, this period is determined by: zinc coating of thresholds, bottoms and arches, as well as the use of low-alloy steel.
Indeed, practical experience has proven that the body of the Priora is incredibly resistant to corrosion. If problems begin, then bumpers fall into the risk group first of all, then bubbles form on the paintwork in the winter season, the paint peels off.
12,000 Nm / deg on the Priory sedan is not a big value. Even the VAZ-21106, not to mention foreign cars, this figure is higher. Thus, it would be good for Priora owners who prefer active driving to strengthen the car frame. In particular, reinforcement should include the installation of strut braces and the modernization of the STC on the axle at the rear.
Lada Granta
Grant's liftback is a 3-volume body, which implies a successful combination of a luggage cover with a rear window. It is noteworthy that in the era of the USSR, liftbacks as such did not exist. There was such a model - IZH-2125 Kombi, but it only embodied some liftback ideas. In fact, such a word was not legalized in the CAS, although there were such concepts as fastback, phaeton and even bregam.
Thus, the Lada Granta Liftback restores historical justice, because in addition to the new name, the car was produced just at the IAP, now referred to as the OAS.
Note. Today, the Izhevsk Automobile Plant is more of a branch of the Togliatti enterprise, which does not engage in its own developments.
Liftback is not just a word. So, this type of body looks good in terms of LCD performance. This figure has become twice as high as that of hatchbacks, although less than that of sedans due to design features.
In particular, the difference in design features between the liftback and the sedan lies primarily in the “rear cross member”. The liftback does not have this part at all, it is not provided for, and for sedans it passes behind the back of the rear sofa.
Note. In principle, the crossbar could be put on the liftback, but in this case all the convenience associated with loading into the trunk would disappear. The car would have lost half its practicality, which is unacceptable under any circumstances, even for the sake of the performance of the LCD.
Trying to somehow compensate for the loss in the housing complex, the engineers went to the following. They added amplifiers in some places, thus increasing the figure significantly, and only slightly falling short of the sedan's result.
In addition, due to the introduction of amplifiers, the liftback became 15 kg heavier, and this, in turn, had a negative effect on the torsion indicator.
Car body stiffness table
| car model | Rigidity, Nm/deg |
| Alfa Romeo 147 3d | 18800 |
| Alfa Romeo 147 5d | 16250 |
| Alfa Romeo 156 | 18800 |
| Alfa Romeo 159 | 31400 |
| Alfa Romeo 166 | 24400 |
| Alfa Romeo | 17650 |
| Aston Martin DB9 Convertible | 15500 |
| Aston Martin DB9 Coupe | 27000 |
| Aston Martin Vanquish | 28500 |
| Audi A2 | 11900 |
| Audi A8 D2 | 25000 |
| Audi A8 D3 | 36000 |
| Audi A8 D4 | 45000 |
| Audi R8 | 40000 |
| Audi TT Coupe mk1 | 19000 |
| Audi TT Roadster mk1 | 10000 |
| Audi TT Roadster mk2 | 22000 |
| Bentley Azure | 18000 |
| Bentley Continental Supersports | 24000 |
| Bentley Flying Spur mk2 | 36500 |
| BMW 7 series E65 | 31200 |
| BMW 7 series F01 | 37500 |
| BMW E34 | 17200 |
| BMW E36 Touring | 10900 |
| BMW E39 | 24000 |
| BMW E46 Convertible | 10500 |
| BMW E46 Coupe | 12500 |
| BMW E46 Sedan | 13000 |
| BMW E46 Wagon | 14000 |
| BMW E60 | 24000 |
| BMW E90 | 22500 |
| BMW F10 | 37500 |
| BMW F30 | 25000 |
| BMW X5 E53 | 23100 |
| BMW X5 E70 | 28000 |
| BMW Z3 mk1 | 5600 |
| BMW Z4 Coupé mk1 | 32000 |
| BMW Z4 Roadster mk1 | 14500 |
| BMW Z8 | 40000 |
| Bugatti EB110 | 19000 |
| Bugatti Veyron | 50000 |
| Chevrolet Corvette C5 | 9100 |
| Chrysler Crossfire | 20140 |
| Citroen Picasso mk1 | 17000 |
| Daewoo Lanos 3d 1997 | 10500 |
| Daewoo Nubira 1997 | 14500 |
| Dodge Durango mk1 | 6800 |
| Dodge Viper Coupe mk2 | 7600 |
| Ferrari 360 Spider | 8500 |
| Ferrari 575M Maranello | 14700 |
| Ferrari F50 | 34600 |
| Fiat Brava | 9100 |
| Fiat Bravo | 10600 |
| Fiat Punto 3d | 19700 |
| Fiat Tempra | 6700 |
| Ford Fiesta 3d 1995 | 6500 |
| Ford Focus 3d mk1 | 19600 |
| Ford Focus 5d mk1 | 17900 |
| Ford GT | 27100 |
| Ford GT40 MkI | 17000 |
| Ford Maverick 5d 1995 | 4400 |
| Ford Mustang 2003 | 16000 |
| Ford Mustang 2005 | 21000 |
| Ford Mustang Convertible (2003) | 4800 |
| Ford Mustang Convertible (2005) | 9500 |
| Jaguar XK mk2 | 16000 |
| Jaguar X-Type Estate | 16300 |
| Jaguar X-Type Sedan | 22000 |
| Koenigsegg Agera | 58000 |
| Koenigsegg Agera R | 65000 |
| Koenigsegg CC-8 | 28100 |
| Lamborghini Aventador | 35000 |
| Lamborghini Gallardo | 23000 |
| Lamborghini Murciélago | 20000 |
| Lancia Kappa Coupe | 27350 |
| Land Rover Freelander 2 | 28000 |
| Lexus LFA | 39130 |
| Lotus Elan | 7900 |
| Lotus Elise S2/Exige (2004) | 10500 |
| Lotus Esprit SE Turbo | 5850 |
| Maserati Quattroporte 2008 | 18000 |
| Mazda CX-5 | 27000 |
| Mazda CX-7 | 23700 |
| Mazda Rx-7FD | 15000 |
| Mazda Rx-8 | 30000 |
| McLaren F1 | 13500 |
| Mercedes SL R230 | 16400 |
| Mercedes SL R231 | 19400 |
| Mercedes SLS Roadster | 18000 |
| Mercedes E-Class W212 | 29920 |
| Mercedes S-Class W221 | 27500 |
| Mercedes S-Class W222 | 40500 |
| Mini (2003) | 24500 |
| Nissan Micra 1995 | 4000 |
| Nissan Prairie 4x4 5d 1995 | 7500 |
| Nissan Sunny 3d 1995 | 8200 |
| Opel Astra 3d 1998 | 10500 |
| Opel Astra 4d 1998 | 11900 |
| Opel Astra 5d 1998 | 11700 |
| Opel Combo 1999 | 18500 |
| Opel Corsa 3d 1995 | 6500 |
| Opel Corsa 3d 1999 | 8000 |
| Opel Omega 1999 | 13000 |
| Opel Vectra 4d 1999 | 8800 |
| Pagani Zonda C12S | 26300 |
| Pagani Zonda F | 27000 |
| Pagani Zonda Roadster | 18000 |
| Peugeot 206CC | 8000 |
| Peugeot 407 | 22700 |
| Porsche 911 Carrera S 991 | 30400 |
| Porsche 911 Turbo 993 | 13500 |
| Porsche 911 Turbo 996 | 27000 |
| Porsche 911 Turbo 996 Convertible | 11600 |
| Porsche 911 Turbo 997 | 34000 |
| Porsche 959 | 12900 |
| Porsche Carrera GT | 26000 |
| Porsche Cayman 981 | 42000 |
| Porsche Panamera | 25000 |
| Range Rover mk3 | 32500 |
| Renault Sport Spider | 10000 |
| Renault Twingo 1995 | 14200 |
| Rolls-Royce Phantom | 40500 |
| Saab 9-3 Cabriolet mk2 | 11500 |
| Saab 9-3 Sedan mk2 | 22000 |
| Saab 9-3 Sportcombi mk2 | 21000 |
| Seat Leon 2005 | 23800 |
| Toyota Corolla 3d 1995 | 10500 |
| Toyota Prius 2001 | 22700 |
| Toyota Starlet 5d 1995 | 7600 |
| Volkswagen Fox 2007 | 17900 |
| Volvo S60 mk1 | 20000 |
| Volvo S80 mk1 | 18600 |
| VW Golf V GTI | 25000 |
| VW Passat B6 | 32400 |
| VW Phaeton | 37000 |
| VAZ-1111E Oka | 7000 |
| VAZ-21043 | 6300 |
| VAZ-2105 | 7300 |
| VAZ-2106 | 6500 |
| VAZ-2107 | 7200 |
| VAZ-21083 | 8200 |
| VAZ-21093 | 6800 |
| VAZ-21099 | 5500 |
| VAZ-2110 | 8000 |
| VAZ-21102 | 8400 |
| VAZ-21106 | 12200 |
| VAZ-21106 (racing) | 51800 |
| VAZ-21108 Premier | 10500 |
| VAZ-21109 Consul | 14300 |
| VAZ-2111 | 7400 |
| VAZ-2112 | 8100 |
| VAZ-2115 | 5500 |
| VAZ-2120 Hope | 10000 |
| VAZ-21213 Niva | 8900 |
| VAZ-2123 Chevy-Niva | 12000 |
| VAZ-2131 Niva | 7400 |
| GAZ-M20 Pobeda | 4600 |
| MZMA-400 Moskvich | 2500 |
Of course, the torsional rigidity of the body is one of the most important indicators of a modern car. Let's hope that over time, our engineers will come up with more efficient schemes and refine the design so that domestic cars occupied the top lines in the ranking of the best autocars in the world for this indicator.
Many Renault Duster owners have already experienced damage to the cross member when driving on rough roads and off-road. The crossbar is also a bracket for mounting the exhaust system, in particular the catalyst. Since the cross member is made of thin material, it is easy to bend or twist, the edges are sharp and the effect of an excavator bucket is obtained when the cross member in this position begins to collect snow or dirt on off-road. Catalyst mounting pad bends, a metallic clanging sound appears. The clearance of the Duster also decreases and there is a risk of further damage to the exhaust system.
Standard cross member for Duster (Renault or Dacia)
Renault original codes
- 544C48645R, 544696002R, 544690004R. Vehicle serial number< 110407, Привод = 4x4
— 544C48645R, 544696002R, Vehicle fabrication number >= 120426 and Vehicle fabrication number< 120912, Привод = 4x2; Заводской номер автомобиля >= 110407 and Vehicle serial number< 120912, Привод = 4x4
— 544C48645R Vehicle serial number >< 130123, Привод = 4x2; Заводской номер автомобиля >= 120912 and vehicle serial number< 130123, Привод = 4x4
— 544C48921R Vehicle fabrication number >= 130123, Drive = 4x2; Vehicle fabrication number >= 130123, Drive = 4x4
On the diagram - No. 8, the average cost is 1000 - 1200 rubles.
A new cross member costs around 1000 rubles, the price does not go off scale, but it is obvious that replacing a structurally ill-conceived part is not our method.
Here are some photos of the stock cross member. Owners who have at least once ridden off-road rides will surely understand what is at stake.
Photo of the removed standard Duster cross member. In this case, the code is: 544C48645R
The material is really not the most durable.
Self-manufacturing of the reinforcing cross member of the body
Entrepreneurial Renault Duster owners get out of the situation by manually manufacturing a reinforced subframe cross member from St30X sheet metal with a thickness of 8 millimeters.
Obvious advantages of this design:
- the cross member is flat and rises above the level of engine protection
- the cross member is more powerful and heavier than the standard one, the weight increases by 5-6 kg
- the exhaust system rises from ground level by about 20 mm
In addition to making the crossbar, you will need the following materials and tools:
- WD-40
— anaerobic bolt sealant
— high temperature paint for exhaust systems
- drill 6.5 mm and 3 mm
— bolts M6 25mm blue
Several photos of the manufacturing process and the installed homemade cross member on the Duster
The exhaust system mounting cushion can be lifted by placing spacers.
