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Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

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Old 08-07-2011, 11:41 PM
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Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

Took 2 full days of non-stop grinding/beating/welding but it's finally rust-free in the wheel well. First a built a jig out of 22ga sheet metal and 3/16th round bar. This allowed me to cut in the same locations on the car and donor piece. Even then it was hours and hours of cutting and trial fitting until it was just right. Then I welded from both sides, ground the engine side down, and primed. Paint will come tomorrow, I just couldn't take any more after 13 hours of work today I just had to quit for the night.

This was no small project. Even though it doesn't make the car look and better, go any faster, or look any nicer it still had to be done at some point. The passenger side will be done tomorrow, but there's only a small patch of rust that won't take long to fix. After that I have Founders performance camber/caster plates on their way that'll go on before I have an alignment done.

Here's where things started:

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Here's the jig:
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Here's what was removed:
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Here's some welding:

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Last edited by robguitargod1; 08-08-2011 at 08:00 AM.
Old 08-07-2011, 11:42 PM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

Here's before primer:

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Here's in primer:
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Old 08-14-2011, 07:42 PM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

very nice work
Old 08-14-2011, 09:49 PM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

Even though no one will probably ever know what was done, you get to keep the satisfaction of knowing it was done by you the right way. Well done.
Old 08-14-2011, 10:48 PM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

Originally Posted by majobis
Even though no one will probably ever know what was done, you get to keep the satisfaction of knowing it was done by you the right way. Well done.

I love that feeling.I believe us welder/fabricators don't get enough cred.


Great job,looks good as new.
Old 08-15-2011, 10:18 AM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

The floor is next. There's one spot (the most common) by the drivers feet that is a mess. I found a guy here that's shopping up a good floor for me so I'll be on that as soon as I get the metal. I really didn't want to use sheet metal because I think it'll look cheap.

BTW, I still have the passenger side tower from third gen ranch if anyone needs it. I bought both sides, but my passenger side isn't bad at all.
Old 08-23-2012, 07:42 PM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

Hey Buddy, I am lookin for the same thing for both sides, more drivers.

What was the search item number for this part?
Old 08-23-2012, 08:13 PM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

Nice work, want to do mine next?

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Old 08-23-2012, 08:42 PM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

Outstanding work!
Old 09-02-2014, 07:02 PM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

I got at same problem.. But how did you go about getting the one off the donor car?
Old 09-03-2014, 09:43 AM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

Thirdgenranch has them. It's where I got mine.
Old 09-03-2014, 12:18 PM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

A quality repair job. Very nicely done.
Old 09-07-2014, 12:04 AM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

What kind of welder did you use here?.
Old 09-08-2014, 11:33 AM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

A Millermatic DVI

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Old 12-23-2014, 01:40 PM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

Was this a difficult job to do.
How long did it take you approx?
Old 12-23-2014, 03:51 PM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

Nice work I sold an 88 gta a few months back with a rot hole in the drivers strut tower u could stick both fists threw!!!
Old 12-25-2014, 07:54 PM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

Nice job!
Old 12-29-2014, 08:10 PM
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Re: Fixing strut tower rust (with pics)

nice work!
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