What to do about this rust?

[dekeman]

I've got a weird problem I've never seen before. I've just done my springtime engine bay detail, and found some rust under the strut mounting brackets.

A closer view:

The pic is of the passenger side strut tower; driver's side is the same. We get very harsh winters up here in Northern New York. There would often be road salt leeching up from the strut tower under the brackets and sit on the area that's now rusted. They use that nasty calcium chloride salt on the roads up here, the kind that make your car slimy to the touch. I cleaned it off last spring, and it returned over the winter. I'd occasionally hose it out throughout the winter, but I guess it sat long enough to do the damage you see. What can be done about this? I don't want to just let it sit like it is- it'll get worse over time, and that's a bad spot to have it rust through... (nervous) I've never disassembled a strut, so I'm not sure if I can just remove those brackets or if more needs to be done before they come off. Should it be sanded and repainted, or just touched up?

 

[gus5]

You will want to sand it off and repaint it. If I remember from several years ago, there is a primer that you can put on rusted metal, but I can't remember what it was exactly.

And those other brackets can come off. The only thing holding the strut in place from there are the four large nuts on the top. Though you may want to remove those three nuts and make sure there isn't any rust under them. I'm pretty sure you can remove them with the car on the ground and be okay. The weight of the car should keep everything in place.

 

[dekeman]

Right- sanding will be done no matter what. I just wasn't sure if sanding/prepping/primer/spray paint was really the way to go, or if touch-up paint would be okay. I'm going to try to remove those brackets and confirm my suspicions that the rust is underneath them as well. Judging by how corroded they are, it's probably worse underneath there. I'll pick up some new brackets for when the repairs are done. Does anyone know if removing those three nuts is safe? I just had a 4-wheel alignment done when I got new tires in the early spring. I'd hate to throw it all off kilter if those nuts are what determines the toe and or camber.

 

[mp3-79bronco]

take those four nuts off and just jack the car up...it will lower the whole assembly down... wont mess anything up.

 

[dekeman]

take those four nuts off and just jack the car up...it will lower the whole assembly down... wont mess anything up.

Cool- thanks! Will do.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

The primer is called "Rust Converter"

You will want to sand it off and repaint it. If I remember from several years ago, there is a primer that you can put on rusted metal, but I can't remember what it was exactly.

And those other brackets can come off. The only thing holding the strut in place from there are the four large nuts on the top. Though you may want to remove those three nuts and make sure there isn't any rust under them. I'm pretty sure you can remove them with the car on the ground and be okay. The weight of the car should keep everything in place.

I've used it for years and it works very well. Just be sure to follow the instructions closely. You can buy it at Autozone.

 

[R-X-R]

isnt the rust converter that gel stuff?