maybe nobody understands- the p.o. has already torch holes in the shock tower. they are very unsightly even though i understand why it was done, i just want to clean up the holes for uniformity and function. I have attempted to burr, grind, rout, and none of these approaches have worked. grease certs are not the problem.
All your options will involve welding. There are replacement shock towers or patches. those are the repairs that will make it look good again and give you the strength needed in the area. Now you have a choice to make.
One other thing u might try is using some kind of automotive adhesive on some metal pieces on the wheel side of the tower. U might also use sheet metal screws and grind them off on the engine side, fill any low spots w/ plastic body filler - Smooth it out paint it and move on to something else. That's the way I wud play it if welding was/is not an option.
Am I missing something ? I have 90 degree fittings in my a-arms, are they still hard to grease ? I thought you could get to them on each side of the coil spring....
The discussion is about cleaning the torched holes someone made. I say use a dremel with a drum sander..lots of drum sanders and patience. The drum sander is bigger in diamator so it don't cut into or jump arround. The proper tools will do what you are trying to accomplish. Any other way is a struggle and unproductive. How about getting some big washers. I know Home Depot sells 3/4" and 5/8" ones. Sand/grind the tower surfaces flat and smooth, leave some etch and etch the washer on one side, wipe clean with paint thinner, spray can cleaners will not allow adhesion. Apply some clear contact cement and bond the washer in place. Someone may be able to tack them in for you. If it's already in place, it's that much faster and easier for that.
The holes in my shock towers held the record when it came to size. Using an air grinder I smoothed things even and made a template to fit the hole out of cardboard. I traced the template to 18 gauge sheet metal and cut it out with a cut off wheel then mig weld the metal in the hole. Using my air grinder I smoothed the weld bead flush with the shock tower. A thin coat of Bondo made things look like it never happen.
I will agree that you hold the record lol. I also notice that you have a plate where mine does not. That plate that has the controll arm bolt holes..
I like the idea of having the holes, im just looking to make them a little less unsightly. when they where torched it left them ugly. i have got to find a way to get them smooth and round. dont have a welder. i didnt think that metal was that strong. this one really has me perplexed. i do have an air tank for my air tools, and everything i try....the shock tower just laughs at me!
You can cut them with a good hole saw and a varible speed drill. Just have to hold it steady and drill slow, even without the pilot bit. Once the drill saw starts to bite, it will cut straight. Or you could whittle down a block of wood to just a bit larger than the hole, tapering it down wedge shape so it will fit into the hole, then drive it in with a hammer. Then just use the drill holesaw normally, with the pilot bit going into the wood to guide it. Then cut your aluminum cover plates and attach them the way you want....
I would clean them up with a dremel and drum sander rolls like Gene said. You can then weld a washer to the tower to keep it nice and clean and still have the opening.
Pop rivet a pc. of metal with the rivets as close to the hole as possible then use a hole saw and cut a new hole try and fine a rubber fire wall plug to put in there.. the hole saw will remove the rivets when you drill the hole.... Just a thought..lol..
