Rust where strut connects to chassis.

17th July 2011, 18:45

As said in title.. Every since I bought the car 2 years ago and have done 30k miles, There haven't been any arch liners.

The other week I under-sealed all of the car.. The passenger side had no rust what so ever, neither did the rest of the car.. Not under the battery/ecu tray..

However when I came to the driver's side the rust had eaten through quite a few layers of metal..

So I wired brushed it then.. rust treated it, then rust primered it.. then smoothed a full tube of that OXI 'liquid' metal over the area where the rust used to be.. Then rust primered it again, and finially waxoyl'ed over the top.

However it keeps playing on my mind if it'll be strong enough with the repairs I have done..

Even though I have been over very bumpy roads without repairing (or knowing) about the rust. Down -60mm with uprated dampers.. so pretty harsh on bumps.

What's your opinions on this? Do you think it will be okay?

I was thinking of getting some 3mm metal strut strengthening plates welding over the top for piece of mind? In theory that should make it alot stronger?

Thoughts? I'm probs paranoid.. but want EVERYTHING to be perfect for when i'm on the road in 3 weeks.

17th July 2011, 19:08

Just to add, my handbrake broke off BOTH mounting points.. and I repaired that with that OXI metal stuff.. dries like metal in less than 5 min's.. and can apply the handbrake on very firmly!

So it's definitely VERY strong..

17th July 2011, 19:08

If the rust is 30cm from a structural/load bearing point then tbh i`d get the rust cut out & plate welded.First off i`d take it to an MOT tester show him what you`ve done & ask his opinion which is what I did when I found rust the other day.

Steve.

17th July 2011, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxova

Just to add, my handbrake broke off BOTH mounting points.. and I repaired that with that OXI metal stuff.. dries like metal in less than 5 min's.. and can apply the handbrake on very firmly!

So it's definitely VERY strong..

An MOT tester wouldn`t be very happy with that because its a safety component.

Steve.

17th July 2011, 19:18

It's on top..

Say your looking into the engine bay.. on the left (driver's side) the bolts look like :. it's under the bottom left bolt.. So definitely within 30cm of the bearing point!

Although you can't see it when the strut is on.. So the tester would have to remove the strut to see it.

I might just risk leaving it.. as the OXI stuff will spread the load, and even more when I get the strut strengthening plates welded ontop with a strut brace.. Also is rust primered and waxoyl'ed so won't/shouldn't rust more.

Can't imagine they'd be able to cut the entire top off and replace it?

Need's to be MOT'ed before i'm back on the road anyway.. so will see what he says

Ta for reply.. any other thoughts people?