Cracks around rear damper top bolts

[Simon57archer]

Hi all, while trying to trace an annoying rattle in the hood stowage area I noticed cracking in the wheel arch around the top bolts for the rear dampers on both sides This area does not appear to be strengthened and I didn’t think it was a stressed part of the arch.
Has anyone seen similar cracking?

[richardthestag]

I have seen issues like this before, not too difficult to fix, but will need a welder and removal of interior trim etc.

[new to this]

The top shock mount is double skinned, ive only seen the outer skin rust

[Tdafforn]

Do you mean like this? I just welded up the cracks.
tim

[flying farmer]

Do you mean like this? I just welded up the cracks.
tim

I had one like that as well, the gap between the two panels means that effectively there are two seperate layers that are not strong enough to do the job. I whacked the top layer with a hammer so i could weld the two layers together to make it stronger as i was going to be using stiffer shocks.

Don't know if they all have a gap or its a production tolerance thing again.

[Tonywhite]

I’ve seen many cars with this crack I weld a large washer over the crack seems to work

[jbuckl]

The rattle can come from loose / dry hood frame joints, the hood wires, or tonneau side catches.
The tonneau side catch rattle can be from the riveted tee section boss on the bracket ends of the hinged tonneau.

[Simon57archer]

Thanks all. i think ill be getting the mig welder out of retirement! I have attached a photo for the records.
IMG_1541.jpg

[Tdafforn]

Yep. Looks like some remedial welding required.