1996-2000 minivan strut tower ROT
#1
1996-2000 minivan strut tower ROT
Check your 1996-2000 model year minivans for Strut Tower rust through on the Drivers side. The windshield wiper module drains water onto it and rots it out. I went to get my struts replaced and the shop wouldn't do it because they said the struts were ready to blow through the tower. I am out of warranty and SCREWED! There is a TSB on the issue and they will only fix it if you are UNDER WARRANTY !
#3
#5
RE: 1996-2000 minivan strut tower ROT
I've been quoted $500-600 each side to repair the strut tower perforation. If you see the tsb, there are two fixes: one that requires cutting out rusted metal and one that does not. Of course Chrysler refers to it as "cosmetic." Sounds like yours is beyond cosmetic. The tsb consists of a metal cap that epoxies onto the top of the tower.
#6
RE: 1996-2000 minivan strut tower ROT
I was lucky enough to find a fabricator who did my 1999 for $250. Those caps hide the future rot. We cut the rot out and fabricated a new top on mine. OMG the stuff that has to get removed to correctly fix the tower. Right down to the wiper assemby. It was worth it though. Every body shop I contacted wouldn't touch it with a 10 ft pole, most claiming they didn't want to be responsible for alignment issues after the fix. I wad luck enough to find a welder/fabricator who had done a couple of others.