repair procedure for rusty control arm supports?

[sbiddle]

I have a '96 Metro 4dr that fortunately isn't as rusty as the 2dr Metro I just sold. But looking down the road a few years and having just bought a MIG welder, I know that the area that supports the control arms is notorious for rusting out, particularly in areas like NH where I live.

I've heard of people repairing this by welding, but I'd like to know how this is done. Does anyone have a picture or sketch or something that explains what the geometry and the materials used for such a rust repair?

Thanks!

[Crvett69]

i would suspect the best way to fix it would be to cut the part out of a non rusty car and weld that in place of the rusty one

[frets14]

Hi there. Congratulations on your purchase of a MIG welder. I've got one too and really enjoy using it. I am a Millwright in a factory. (We build the M1 Abrams tank as seen on all of DOCTORRBILL's posts). I would suggest that you simply get creative with some pieces of sheet metal and re-inforce the area all around the A-arm mounts. Just make sure that you clean the metal up really good first cuz MIG does NOT like contaminants in the weld. Afterwards give it a good protective coating so that it will last a good long while. As long as the area is still good, this would simply be a preventative maintenance procedure in an area known to eventually weaken. Good luck. Steve