[Vwdiesel] Help! Rear shock tower rust through!

[Shawn Wright]

This week I started hearing excessive road noise in my '85 Jetta TD, and
checked the trunk to find the rear shock tower has rusted through! The
opening is about 4" long by 1/2" wide along the edge of the welded re-
inforcement plate near the top rear edge of the shock tower. I know this is
caused by mud & moisture caking above the fuel filler line, and I had
noticed rust bubbles for some time, didn't expect this, as the metal
appeared solid around the shock tower. The car has spent the last 6
months outside, which probably accelerated the rust. For safety reasons, I
am planning to take the car off the road this week (bouncing on the rear
bumper shows flex at the shock tower...). Does anyone know if this is
repairable at a reasonable cost?

ps: The car has 480K km, and is generally in good running order, although
a little worn. If it is not repairable, I will likely search for an inexpensive
Golf or Jetta, and use this car for parts, as it has many new parts.

Thanks.Shawn Wright, I.T. Manager
Shawnigan Lake School
swright at SLS.bc.ca
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
http://www.sls.bc.ca