Hi all

I have changed the title of this post as I think that my search for what appeared to be a strange headed screw has identified a potential cause of rust bubbling, from the inside out, on the L322. I have left the rest of the post but the last photo shows where the problem may lie.



The plastic bracket that holds the rear bumper against the rear wing is held on by some sort of special screw. Can anyone tell me what type of screw head it is?

I think that’s an aluminium pop rivet, would need drilling out to remove.

Hmmmm..... these are situated directly under where rust bubbles start to develop on the rear wings and I think that they allow moisture to enter the twin skin.

Tri-Fold Bulbex Soft Fold Split Blind Rivet. Often used in fitting softer materials to a metal backing. LR part number is KYQ100010. Good luck with the repair.

Thanks for that info. I've never seen such a rivet before.

https://www.rivetsonline.com/blind-rivets/...d-rivets#1 Ron B. VK2OTC
2003 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

Thanks for your help guys 👍

I think that these rivets are responsible for the rust that affects the rear wings of the L322. It would appear that water finds its way either along or through the rivet and into the space between the skins. The skin then rusts from the inside out.

Here’s a photo showing the location of the rivets in relation to some rust bubbling on my car.

The rusting is because it is where two panels come together and are spot welded on the inner return of the wheel arch, it doesn't matter how much rustproofing they try to put on during manufacture, it will be burnt off as it is welded and it will rust... The seam rusts through the outer panel, there will be far more rust inside...

"modern" cars have this panel join glued with the new panel adhesive that was not available back in 2000 when they designed the 322... This means there is no weld and the panel coating remains in tact preventing such a rust spot.

The back of the wheel arch is where any water collects that gets into the rear side cubby hole from the "built in" leak most 322's have

Getting into the boot sides and flooding the area with rust treatment where the two panels join will help stem rust but yours has gone too far for that, you need the rust cutting out back to clean metal which will require the return lip to be replaced, both skins... Then rustproof after it is fixed.

The rivets will have little effect on the rust there...  Pete

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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
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