Rear strut mounts rusted

[httrdd]

Where can I get actual replacements, or do I have to cut them out of another car? Would a junk yard cut them out? What models would fit my 99 LGT? Thanks

TJ

[httrdd]

After speaking with a buddy it seems this guy might be jerking me around. There is no way he could see the mounts without taking off a tire and taking off the back deck like I had to while installing the struts. Time to get another opinion. :roll:

[Reason]

What is the full story here?

[httrdd]

I went for a inspection check over and this guy came out with a list. He said that the strut mounts are rusted on both sides. When I did the struts and had the seats and rear shelf out everything thing looked fine. My buddy was putting the struts in from underneath and he did not say anything about rot. I will have to see for myself. He said I would need all 4 rotors replaces due to rust. Seriously they are not beat up and are smooth, but have some surface rust on the top. The more I think about it the more I am suspicious of a rip off shop.

[Huffer]

The rear struts have a steel cap that drops over the top, and gets corroded from damp air. When this gets rusty, some mechanics assume that this is the strut mount and say it is rusted.

Take the cap off (you'll have to remove the strut mount nuts, 3 of them each side (make sure the car is level and ebrake is on), remove the cap, replace the nuts and torque them down. Done).

[Reason]

If your buddy did your struts then he saw your strut mounts. You can't just remove the struts without the mount. And I don't see how he seen the dust caps, why did he take your rear deck off? Unless it was already off? Sounds like the guy is trying to make a buck off you. I never seen anyone fail inspection do to rust strut mounts. If that's the case we should all fail (most of us)

[httrdd]

No no the mechanic did not take off anything prob not even a tire. I was saying that when we did the Wrx struts we had to diassemle the seats and top cover to get to the mounting bolts. I remove the dust caps to get the struts in there. Everything looked good up top, but my buddy was holding the struts from the bottom so he would of seen the underside. This mechanic (that I never used) is a (so called) alignment specialist. He told me to get the strut mounts fixed before the alignment. :smt017 While he was under there I asked him to take a look at everything else underbody. I dunno. I am going to my mechanic or another one from now on.

[Huffer]

Given that the strut mount aka top hats are mostly covered in rubber, they don't rust out. The bearings inside bind up, or the rubber gets old and cracks.

Find another inspector...

[mycargoesvroom]

Given that the strut mount aka top hats are mostly covered in rubber, they don't rust out. The bearings inside bind up, or the rubber gets old and cracks.

Find another inspector...

+1

There's hardly anything that could rust up there besides the dust cap and if he didn't take the rear deck or a tire off theres no way he could know.

This guy is obviously running a scam and I would definitely report him to the state. If he's an authorized inspector I'm sure the state gave him the license (or what ever it is, I've never had to deal with inspections), or approved him for something to qualify.

[NGTD]

I think you may also be confusing strut mounts from the strut towers. The strut mounts are the part that are attched to the top of the strut that has the bearings and are covered in rubber. The towers are the part of the car that they are bolted into.

If the strut mounts are gone buy new ones and bolt 'em in. Strut towers - off to the scrapper's!

[httrdd]

Well I see what this guy means, but there is no need to panic. If you reach your hand up un the wheel well you can put your fingers in a hole. Lol. It is just rusted parts of the chasie and nothing to do with support. Going to see what I can do to fix the problem.

[Huffer]

Uh, it does have a lot to do with support - if your strut towers are rusting out, there will be a compromise in structural integrity for the overall chassis. You need to get in there, cut out the bad metal and weld in good metal. A cross brace wouldn't hurt but seam welding would probably be ok.

The strut tower is part of the fender area on the wagon, so it's related. Hard to visualize without a pic of the rusted area though.

[httrdd]

Yea I will get in there soon and cut, put in a plate and weld it. I will have a diy up.