Shock tower adventure.

[garion]

Hi all.. Tonight I took a bunch of pics of the shock towers on my 78. There's some rust, but mostly surface, and one side, there is a hole. I'd like some opinions on how I should proceed... I'm not a welder, want to learn, but not sure if something like this is a good idea for a first project.. Also keep in mind that I live in Phoenix, AZ, so the rust is not going to get any worse.. The car never sees winter, or rain for that matter.. These pics are after I knocked some of the loose stuff off.

Drivers side tower (no holes):




Passenger side (last pic has the hole):




Thanks all!

[baltobernie]

You're not going to know the extent of the corrosion until you begin the process of "peeling the onion", as it were. The towers are comprised of several layers of sheet steel, and typically rust from the inside-out. The small hole you've already noticed is not on the tower itself; but rather the single-layer unibody. Post some photos when you've ground down each layer to shiny, solid steel. The community can then offer realistic suggestions of repair/replace/scrap. Good luck!

[garion]

So which part is really the shock tower? I figured that whole unit was the shock tower... Where should I grind away? Will a drill with a wirebrush work? Is that hole less dangerous because its 'just' in the unibody?

I'll try to get to the grind this weekend, before I attempt the timing belt/water pump/oil seals this weekend..

[baltobernie]

The tower is the tube surrounding the shock absorber. It appears as semi-circle when viewed from the engine compartment. Did you look at the link I provided in your OP? You can clearly see the layers of steel in the perforated example which that poor chap discovered. Of course you'd want to repair the small hole that you've detailed earlier, but that location is not part of the semi-circle.

A wire brush would reveal only the condition of outermost layer of steel. If all you have is surface rust, you're job is finished with some rust-preventative paint and some rattle can undercoating. OTOH, if the wire brush reveals holes, you would be advised to use an angle-grinder or air tool to grind thru the outermost layer of steel to discover what lies beneath. Remember, if your towers rust from the inside-out like most Spiders, you'd uncover more and more rust the deeper you go. Your bottom photo above shows complete perforation opposite the brake hard line grommet.

[dom]

Well sorry to say the rust is extensive. Either major welding or replacement by an expert.
it is an expensive job and not something you can do yourself.

[garion]

here's a couple more pics after some wirebrushing on the pass side. Not looking pretty.. But.. From what i can see insde the holes, the shock tower itself is somehow rust free? So the next question, repair, or replace? I have a feeling I know the answer.

I have found a local speed shop that would be willing to take on a welding project for me..




--John

[garion]

I'll also mention that it seems like the rust started on the outside for the most part.. As I was pulling away stuff, I found more metal underneath.

In this state, how safe is the car to drive? I'm not doing autocross or anything, just some typical sunday driving.

--John

[garion]

And now the other side (driver). Some minor holes. The one that really worries me is the one down by the control arm.




Like I asked above, would something like this be safe for some sunday driving? I cant afford to replace the towers until spring sometime, and would like to drive it at least some.

--John

[djape1977]

yup, you're ok, just avoid BIG potholes and curbs

[velozi]

I've seen much worse than that on the road. I think you can protect it, patch it up, paint and drive for a long time before it becomes an issue. Good luck.

[SLOSpider]

Not good advise to leave as is. The suspension depends on those tower as the coil spring also mounts in there and is ALOT of force. Ill let you read my thread on my replacement. I had a body shop do the replacement and I followed up with some spot welding and finishing.

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... 177#p76177