[JLMounce]

I've known for a while that there was some rot in the seams of the trunk near the wheel houses, but within the last year it's gotten progressively worse.

This is the passenger side trunk seam to the inner wheel housing.



Overall the trunk floor is not in bad shape, it's just got these issues around the wheel house seams. There is some rot on the driver's side as well but not nearly as extensive.

My question here is how much load this is carrying from the shock. I'm not certain what kind of structural integrity I may be losing at that location with this type of damage. Is there a hidden structure at the shock towers or is that load completely carried by the trunk floor?

I can tackle partial floors, but I don't have the equipment or expertise to start getting into structural repairs if needed. I'm just in the sussing out options phase right now.

Any thoughts here would be greatly appreciated.

[codyyy]

Don't quote me on this, but I am thinking the shock areas on those cars are not reinforced. Shocks are used for dampening, not structurally holding the load of the car. If the problem existed in the spring area I would be more concerned. Also that flange would help to even out the shock from stress cracks should they occur. Either way I vote to fix the area as I don't like rot, especially in a pesky area for rust to get worse. Completely overkill but you could make a brace going from shock to shock, like a strut tower brace.

[JLMounce]

I was able to get the wheels off it late last weekend and do a bit more inspection on the underside. There is a laminated piece that adds structure to that area and fortunately the rot is not in this area. There's a tiny amount of surface rust on the laminated portion of the passenger side and none on the driver's side. For right now I'm going to cut out the rot and weld in some new steel in that location to keep it from spreading.

Down the line I'd like to go to a 4 link and mini-tubs in the rear when I can basically redo everything back there.

[1968firebird455]

The shocks are most certainly reinforced. That area has a thick gauge support that runs across the entire front of the trunk floor. It can be repaired with shock tower patch panels and repairing the reinforcement. It is very hard to access if you have to do the repair through the trunk opening. It is much easier, yet still tough, if you have the wheelhouses out of the car.

[Toms bird]

I've been hesitant to comment because I don't do bodywork for a living and am not a real body-man. I do have a 69 and did patch that laminated area they didnt make that piece but a friend came over and made up each piece and layered it in, pretty impressive when he was done.. Personally it looks likes you need to treat the rust and not open up a can of worms till your ready to do it right. If you cut the floor then youll be into the inner wheelhouse to probably. Why cant you dig out seam sealer use a wire wheel, some phosphoric acid ,then por 15 it and re seam seal it. That should buy you a couple of years. Then deal with it how you want.