sheet metal rusted around steering bolt... Dangerous?

[gstowner]

Hey guys this is what I found tonight while i was working on my car RUST around this bolt. Not sure what the bolt is but its something with the steering. What im worried about is it dangerous? Should I go ahead and weld in the holes and bolt? Im kinda worried about this.

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[absolute_DSM]

Holy cow... thats a bolt that holds your upper control arm WTF Was that welded previously???

 

[gstowner]

no thats where i welded in where the rust is. i haven't actually welded to the bolt just filled in the sheet metal around it. Whats the story guys what should i do?

 

[daves06r1]

The proper way is to cut the bad peice out and weld in alil square peice of the same guage steel then you could probably grind the welds down good enough to sprits some primer and paint on the area dont forget to seal it up underneath or it'll come back through sooner than later

 

[gstowner]

I know I need to fix it and fix it right for the fact to prevent rust. But my question is is it safe? I don't want to be driving and my control arm to fall off. Causing a wreck and hurt me or someone else. What do I do guys?

 

[absolute_DSM]

Well just cutting it out and putting in a new piece would not be as simple as you think... you need to keep the right angles on the suspension to keep everything in whack....

Im still in awe how it rusted like that. And I thought my car used to be bad.

Heres a question, is it rusted ALL the way through? Or just through one "layer"?
If its just the top "layer" you could cut that piece out and weld in a new piece carefully.

 

[gstowner]

here's pics of the second layrer. It appears to be just surface rust i think if i grind it off it might be ok. But as for the second layer. I need to get the sheet metal in the right angle. But as for the upper control arm rod and bolt what do I do there? Do I weld the rod to the sheet metal? How to I attach it? Input guys Please.

Thanks

 

[gstowner]

Here's what I've come up with guys. I prepped that down in there with sandpaper and a dremel tool. Then I sprayd that rust dissolver on it. Then I plan on spraing the self etching primer over it. Then over that I though about spraing undercoating over it. Good idea?

 

[absolute_DSM]

Yikes.

Dont worry about that surface rust in there. Just think, thats alllll over your car - that is not going to cause problems.

Your problem is you dont have much support for that control arm. Check it out. I drew this up real quick

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Now remember to sand the paint down to bare metal and clean up your metal well. Prepping it is whats going to give that good solid weld. And hell, I would use a thicker sheet metal than stock just to be safe. After your done, you can spray it the same color as your engine bay.

Hope that helps.