2G Rust, should I be worried?

[buster95]

Hey all. Still new to working on DSMs and cars in general. I've had my '95 TSi for a couple months now and apart from a few small worn out components I'm in the process of replacing, it's been great. But the more I look under it, the more the rust concerns me. There is flaking on the rear crossmember and I'm worried about its integrity if I jack it up, which I need to do in order to change the rear brake pads/rotors as well as a wheel bearing.

I love this car to death but I don't wanna invest more money into it if it's too far gone. I didn't include photos of the strut towers since they're completely fine.

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[CrackedDSM]

It looks bad but honestly it’s just surface rust. Invest in a drill and a good set of wire wheels and clean it all up if it bothers you. Just coat it afterwords so it doesn’t re rust.


The areas to worry about are the strut towers and behind the side skirts in the rear wheel wells.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

That rear control arm in the 1st picture is not looking "reliable" or "safe". VERY RUSTED OUT on it.

 

[biglady112]

I deal with a lot of old cars these days(1930’s-1960’s). So oxidation doesn’t scare me. Rust however might. I didn’t see anything at first and took a second look.

That car certainly is on the back side of its life. I bet if you poked and prodded with a screwdriver you will find bad steel.

Like Marty said, look at your upper control arm on the left. Certainly rotting away.

Not to mention the car is fwd. Not highly desirable.

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[steve]

And it looks like most of the bushings are toast. Once you start fixing its issues, it's going to be a money pit.

 

[SixBolt_16G]

Boot at the top of the control arm is completely deteriorated. You would need to check all the rubber boots and bushing, they are most likely dried and cracked.

 

[Drewpy Dawg]

Not to pile on or be a downer, but if you're going to replace any of those arms or bushings be prepared for a lot of aggravation and frustration getting those rusted fasteners apart.

 

[jesse12345]

Not to pile on or be a downer, but if you're going to replace any of those arms or bushings be prepared for a lot of aggravation and frustration getting those rusted fasteners apart.

You beat me to it. Every single 95 I've owned those rear lower bolts have to be cut out since they rust in that metal sleeve. It's such a pain but not the end of the world.

 

[Drewpy Dawg]

Definitely not a job you want to begin if you need the car back together by the next morning to get you to work.

 

[bastarddsm]

Worrying is like a rocking chair, gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere.

But yeah, she's cooked.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Easier to find another shell who knows what rot is hiding in the frame of the car.

 

[jesse12345]

It more than likely sat in the grass if the strut towers look good still, unless it already had them done. I wouldn't right it off yet unless the rockers are hiding some goodies.