A few months ago I noticed a suspicious brown color in my driver's side fenderwell. Recently I had the chance to pull the plastic fender lining and didn't like what I saw. It does look a little worse in the pictures, and I did make the hole myself by pulling off the really rotted portion. Most of the damage is just to the fenderwell, but there is some rust now also forming on the strut tower. The top of the strut tower (the gray area) is 100% rust free.

This is my first car, and I've had it for almost 9 years, so I would like to save it if I don't have to sell a kidney to pay someone to weld in a new strut tower.

Has anyone had any experience fixing this sort of rust on a thirdgen? Does this thing look safe to drive? Input of anykind would be most helpful.

 

Id say you'll be pushing the limit soon...its close and its only a matter of time before it completely weakens and punches through. How is the top though? You said mostly rust free?

 

The top is perfect

 

Anyone else?

 

if you're really attached to the car.. and thats the only rust.. then fix it.


if not.. then its about time to trade it in.

 

If you plan on fixing it, cut out all the rust and weld in a new peice from a donor car. Good rust preventative and undercoating and it will be good as new.

 

i dunno if i'd be driving it, but welding in a new portion from a rust free donor car should be gtg. hope you save her. i hate rust.