Rear Strut Tower Rusted Thru, Help Me!

[awild]

Well I've owned 2 that had front rust, but never one that had rear rust tower issues. This is a bad one, was wondering why it sounded like the hatch was banging around while driving but it's the strut whacking around because the little "cup" that it sits in has rusted enough to break off.

Is a body shop the best place to go for this, or the local trusted mechanic? I'm going to need new metal put in there.

1997 GST

 

[nytescion]

Find a good body shop near you. Remember to get a couple of qoutes from different shops. Then go with the shop you feel most comfortable with.

 

[awild]

Find a good body shop near you. Remember to get a couple of qoutes from different shops. Then go with the shop you feel most comfortable with.

I've got 3 within a few miles of my house. Should be a real fun day, .

 

[stevestevesteve]

pictures?

 

[awild]

pictures?

I dont think I'd be able to get a clear shot of it. It's in a pretty tight spot and with the strut still there you cant see much of anything.

 

[housegsx]

It sounds like maybe it's just the top hat that has rusted out, not your strut tower. If the tower had let go then the wheel is probably way up in your fender and the back of the car is leaning badly. If it is only the top hat on your suspension then chances are only your shock came through, not spring and all.

Have you taken the cover out in the hatch to look at it?

 

[awild]

It sounds like maybe it's just the top hat that has rusted out, not your strut tower. If the tower had let go then the wheel is probably way up in your fender and the back of the car is leaning badly. If it is only the top hat on your suspension then chances are only your shock came through, not spring and all.

Have you taken the cover out in the hatch to look at it?

Yeah I looked at it last night, it's the "top hat" as you call it. Car sits at normal height, the spring isnt thru at all, just the shock.

 

[housegsx]

That's what I was expecting. It's an easy fix really. Do both sides while you're at it.

 

[awild]

That's what I was expecting. It's an easy fix really. Do both sides while you're at it.

Whats the fix? I can weld (on an amateur level) and have a welder. I'm assuming the shock has to come out, match the hat back to the metal and weld it on...

 

[Bluesideup]

The top hat is just part of the rear strut assembly. You can get the parts then just remove and replace. I'm not sure if you need a spring compressor on a 2G but it's a pretty easy job over all.

 

[awild]

The top hat is just part of the rear strut assembly. You can get the parts then just remove and replace. I'm not sure if you need a spring compressor on a 2G but it's a pretty easy job over all.

Hmm, hopefully that's all it takes. Guess it's time to do some diggin around.

 

[snowborder714]

If you can get a picture to confirm, I can get you a part number.

You'll probably need to rent a spring compressor.

 

[housegsx]

Yes, it's just a part replacement, no welding.

You'll probably need to rent a spring compressor.

You will definitely need to compress them if you are still on the factory springs.

 

[awild]

I've done zero rear suspension work on DSMs so I have no idea how this happens really. I am knowledgeable with the front suspension but not sure where/what parts are broken here. I can grab the bolt in the pic and physically move it around a half in or so in any direction. When going over a bump I can watch it go up and down. Hopefully it's still the parts option and not the welding option

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[snowborder714]

Looks like this piece to me.

MR103157

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[awild]

^^^Pretty sure thats the one. I'll probably just have the mechanic do this one. He's got all the tools and more time. Hopefully its an "under $100" type thing...otherwise I'm doing it