attn: northeast s13 owners!!!

[gumby]

the section where the base of the driverside strut tower joins the frame rail on s13 models exhibits a critical weakness when exposed to years of corrosion exacerbated by road salts. this results is stress fractures. heres how to examine and save your s13 or decide its not worth the time $$$ & effort. if the frame separates from the tower your car will not hold an alignment.

1. remove the AIV system. this prevents you from seeing the developing rot, traps dirt & moisture, adds weights, and serves only to allow the catalytic convertor to warm up quickly as per stringent japanese emissions standards. purchase a screw in plug for the manifold, 5/8" & 3/8" rubber caps for the intake 1/8" caps for the vacuum solenoid lines.

2. agressively prod the area with a screwdriver if you can make a hole youve got problems. employ a chisel and drill powered wire wheel brush to remove all the loose rust. apply liberal quantities of naval jelly or other rust dissolving compound with a wire brush. you must hit bare metal or it will continue to spread. use a thin blade to scrape inside the seam. remove all compromised factory seam sealer. strip the paint back 2 inches from affected areas. now you can see what you're dealing with.

3. acquire the opinion of 2 separate autobody professionals to determine if welding is necessary and it is in fact repairable. there are about a dozen factory spot welds along the frame rail in this area. if most are intact it may be salvagable.

4. if the condition is severe plan on another car, dont spend $$$ on repairs since it is likely worse in other areas. dont be a scumbag, disclose the issue to potential buyers.

5. the metal is thin and will distort with MIG type welders. an experience welder should be able to compensate. a competent shop can employ a heliarc welder.

6. purchase a por15 starter kit $16 follow instructions. fill exposed seams with it. topcoat with rustoleum. apply rubberized undercoating to inside of wheel well.

7. consider a strut tower brace

8. wash the underside of the car every spring. this will postpone inevitable corrosion.

9. curse nissan

save you ride, $$$, or prevent a nasty collision

the end

[Silvia007]

Hahah, you should of seen my red S13, the rust there is so bad, the strut tower is pretty much detached from the frame. I just did some cheap welding and bracing with some metal rods from home depot. Seems ok for now but I wouldn't use it for any auto-x or drag racing.

[gumby]

yeah its definitely a critical flaw. easily prevented not so easily fixed.

fukin rustbuckets