Rust on inside of shock tower. Help appreciated.
Discussion
2009 Cayman.
Whilst cleaning my heart sank.
I noticed on the inside shock towers areas of rust. Perhaps from stones hitting? They’re a couple of areas about the diameter of a 5 pence, maybe a little wider. They were lifting the paint. I can’t see it going through all the way through the panel, although they do look like deep enough aggressive little areas, not just dust you can scrape off with a fingernail. I peeled off the plastic panels in front of the windshield and had a look. Where the areas are is the rubberised sealant for the weld but it looks intact and don’t “think” it goes all the way through.
Obviously I want to treat it ASAP and in such a way that it won’t just come back. The thought occurred that the only way it could be fixed if it did come back was replacing the shock towers. Not even sure how much that would cost on a Cayman or if the entire inner wing needs doing. This has happened once to me on a BMW hence I’m jumpy about it.
Any advice on the course of action? I’ll try to chuck up some photos when it’s daylight to take a pic. Also, is this normal on a 2009 Porsche?? I know it’s not quite a spring chicken. But it’s not exactly old in my book to be having rusting shock towers. Pretty crestfallen, I bloody hate rusty bodywork.
Oh, until I can get it looked at I was going to run some ACF50 on the areas. Good /bad idea?
Whilst cleaning my heart sank.
I noticed on the inside shock towers areas of rust. Perhaps from stones hitting? They’re a couple of areas about the diameter of a 5 pence, maybe a little wider. They were lifting the paint. I can’t see it going through all the way through the panel, although they do look like deep enough aggressive little areas, not just dust you can scrape off with a fingernail. I peeled off the plastic panels in front of the windshield and had a look. Where the areas are is the rubberised sealant for the weld but it looks intact and don’t “think” it goes all the way through.
Obviously I want to treat it ASAP and in such a way that it won’t just come back. The thought occurred that the only way it could be fixed if it did come back was replacing the shock towers. Not even sure how much that would cost on a Cayman or if the entire inner wing needs doing. This has happened once to me on a BMW hence I’m jumpy about it.
Any advice on the course of action? I’ll try to chuck up some photos when it’s daylight to take a pic. Also, is this normal on a 2009 Porsche?? I know it’s not quite a spring chicken. But it’s not exactly old in my book to be having rusting shock towers. Pretty crestfallen, I bloody hate rusty bodywork.
Oh, until I can get it looked at I was going to run some ACF50 on the areas. Good /bad idea?
Edited by Buggyjam on Thursday 4th January 22:46
Thanks. I’ll ask an opc but I’ve checked my handbook. I think I’m on a hiding to nothing and disappoint on that one. It’s only got 1 bodywork inspection at 2 years. Plus I think they only guarantee “rust holes” according to the manual and additionally only if any missing paint was touched up. These areas don’t from what I see go all the way through (yet). I think I can see what’s caused it. The entire inside of the shock tower high up looks like the paint has been stripped off from I presume road debris. The car is otherwise excellent condition. I’m so surprised no sealant was put on the area at manufacture.
Facing that I’m most likely realistic it’s going to be left for me to pay I’m at a loss as to what to do to achieve a repair that isn’t only temporary that I can afford or even achievable
Facing that I’m most likely realistic it’s going to be left for me to pay I’m at a loss as to what to do to achieve a repair that isn’t only temporary that I can afford or even achievable
That's pretty standard but it's unlikely to be anywhere near as bad as you fear. Pressure wash all the grot out the towers, flap wheel, apply your prefered anti-rust treatment and coat.
The metal here is super thick and even the worst ones are only heavy surface rather than penetrative.
Post some pics so we can see how bad it is.
The metal here is super thick and even the worst ones are only heavy surface rather than penetrative.
Post some pics so we can see how bad it is.
poppopbangbang said:
That's pretty standard but it's unlikely to be anywhere near as bad as you fear. Pressure wash all the grot out the towers, flap wheel, apply your prefered anti-rust treatment and coat.
The metal here is super thick and even the worst ones are only heavy surface rather than penetrative.
Post some pics so we can see how bad it is.
Thanks The metal here is super thick and even the worst ones are only heavy surface rather than penetrative.
Post some pics so we can see how bad it is.
. Any good rust treatment that’s recommended? Do you sand all the rust off prior? What do you coat it with? Just primer and paint? I think the whole inside of tower needs treating as looking closely I think the paint has been blasted off to the primer.I’ll chuck up some pics tomorrow.
That's nothing. Don't closely inspect your car or you will suffer cardiac arrest.
Wire brush on driller, clean, Trustan or similar, allow to dry very well, any suitable paint such as Hammerite, allow to dry a week or more, underbody sealant, forget. While you are at it, apply underbody sealant everywhere else in the area.
Wire brush on driller, clean, Trustan or similar, allow to dry very well, any suitable paint such as Hammerite, allow to dry a week or more, underbody sealant, forget. While you are at it, apply underbody sealant everywhere else in the area.
Yeah, er 
must admit the pics do show me up a bit. Genuinely lookworse in person ha. Well, fair enough. Good to hear if that’s the case. Like a I say though I had this in a BMW. Started with a small spot just like that and within a few years the blasted thing needed a new shock tower as it penetrated (tried repairs). Maybe a crap repair on the bimmer.
must admit the pics do show me up a bit. Genuinely lookworse in person ha. Well, fair enough. Good to hear if that’s the case. Like a I say though I had this in a BMW. Started with a small spot just like that and within a few years the blasted thing needed a new shock tower as it penetrated (tried repairs). Maybe a crap repair on the bimmer.Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff