2G What is this (suspension welding) ?

[dgdsm]

This is something I discovered recently in my vehicle, after 2+ years of driving it. I think somehow some piece of metal that was covering it up broke off and now exposes what was underneath it. I guess at some point in the vehicle's history there was a collision in the FR wheel area and someone welded "upper arm shaft assembly" to a subframe or unibody component.

I have right now multiple suspension issues and symptoms, so I'd like to know how much this contributes to it all, and what needs to be done about it. One noise is this rattling/rubbing sound, louder on some days than others. It happens at 20+ mph, no change in pitch with increasing speed. Sometimes it sounds like it's coming from that passenger side wheel, other times right from this weld point area in the engine bay. The funny thing I noticed is, it always goes away when I apply the brakes.

How safe it this? Could I cover it up with some Quicksteel or Silicone ? Does something need rewelding ??

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[TSiAWD666]

Theoretically if the welding was done well, especially in the proper orientation, and the bushing there for the a-arm is intact, then everything could work fine for a time. There's no way to know though by just pictures. It definitely could be degrading and knocking around though, or the bushing where the a-arm bolts to the bottom part of the anchor could be damaged. I wouldn't be surprised at either as this is some of the worst repair work I've seen.

 

[bling5tatus]

Just wow.

 

[greengoblin]

That is going to be hard to fix and looking at the pics it appears it's already rusting. That area is prone to that already. If I was going to try and fix it cutting out a large section of the area would be in order. You may also find you have a serious case of strut tower rust already hiding and the whole tower may need to be replaced. I would not bother unless the rest of the chassis is super clean or you have the FAB skills to knock it out yourself.

 

[Dstarperformance01]

Just wow.

That is going to be hard to fix and looking at the pics it appears it's already rusting. That area is prone to that already. If I was going to try and fix it cutting out a large section of the area would be in order. You may also find you have a serious case of strut tower rust already hiding and the whole tower may need to be replaced. I would not bother unless the rest of the chassis is super clean or you have the FAB skills to knock it out yourself.

Well said by both parties! Man, that sucks a big one!! Hope you get it figured out and it doesn't break the bank or your sanity!!!
GOOD LUCK

 

[dgdsm]

That is going to be hard to fix and looking at the pics it appears it's already rusting. That area is prone to that already. If I was going to try and fix it cutting out a large section of the area would be in order. You may also find you have a serious case of strut tower rust already hiding and the whole tower may need to be replaced. I would not bother unless the rest of the chassis is super clean or you have the FAB skills to knock it out yourself.

OK well there's nothing like this on the driver's side and Socal is not a part of the country where these cars pick up a lot of rust. I'll think about it.

 

[dgdsm]

I went to, recently, an introductory welding class, and I understand that this is basically a sloppy MIG welding job. Also I found a great educational resource for steering and suspension, it has stuff both for the classroom and for the shop. I think I now have a reasonable idea of all the things going on in this problem. I'm pretty sure, maybe 90% sure, that the end of that battery bolt is making contact with a panel, and it's acting like an sound amplifier for every suspension and maybe even drivetrain issue. Even this repair that I made a couple of days ago which is on the other side of the car makes a difference to the rattling/vibration sound.

Ideally what I'd like to do is to find a passenger side 2G strut mount tower, take out the one that's in the car now with a spot weld drill bit, and weld in the replacement tower. But I understand that would be a project and might not be worth it. Another option I understand might be to apply some JB Weld to fill in the holes and gaps from the bad MIG welding that's in there now. There are a lot of different JB Weld and Quiksteel type products and it seems to me finding the right product and doing the right application could work to stop it from getting worse and make that whole area a little more stable. So I'm thinking atm that's what I'd like to do.