Rusting front shock tower

[thewoahna]

OK, I pop the hood on my "new" 2000 Town and Country, and I see considerable amount of rust on the right side of the top of the drivers side shock tower. To try and retard any further rust I brushed a considerable amount of oil of the area so that it would soak into the rusted area and help in repelling any water. I also got some sillicone spray and sprayed it up into the top of the tower from underneith so help do the same. Is there anything else that I can do? It doesnt look like it is going to cause any current problems, but I want to make sure it stays that way.

Thanks!

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by thewoahna

OK, I pop the hood on my "new" 2000 Town and Country, and I see considerable amount of rust on the right side of the top of the drivers side shock tower. To try and retard any further rust I brushed a considerable amount of oil of the area so that it would soak into the rusted area and help in repelling any water. I also got some sillicone spray and sprayed it up into the top of the tower from underneith so help do the same. Is there anything else that I can do? It doesnt look like it is going to cause any current problems, but I want to make sure it stays that way.

Thanks!

Keep an eye on it as this is a known problem , attached is a TSB from that year.
Make : DODGE Model : CARAVAN Year : 2000
Manufacturer : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Service Bulletin Num : 2304402 Date of Bulletin: OCT 14, 2002
NHTSA Item Number: 10000317
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY
Summary:
COSMETIC CORROSION OR PERFORATION AT UPPER STRUT TOWER/S USUALLY BETWEEN THE STRUT AND UPPER LOAD PATH BEAM INNER PANEL (INNER FENDER). *TT

[Vats]

I have the same problem with my 1999. It's a known problem, and known to Chrysler. Their TSB defines the problem as cosmetic, however I have seen soem where the tower has holes in it, and to me it is a structural defect, given the load the suspension towers bear.

[thewoahna]

IS me putting some oil up on them to keep water off a good idea? Any other things I can do to keep it from getting worse?

[bckohnen]

"Any other things I can do to keep it from getting worse?"

Don't hit any deer, that's for dang sure. Ours (96 T&C) was slightly rusted when we bought it... upon hitting a deer, it split pretty deeply. If this is a known problem, you'd think Chrysler would have done something about it. I'm questioning whether or not it's worth fixing any of the problems, or if I'd be better off finding other wheels.