what to do about my vt strut towers

[slowandlow]

ide appreciate some advice on which way to go with this. there are very small but obvious cracks around the strut towers as in the photos i posted. the cracks dont seem too big, so im wondering if i should get a few welds on it and then go over the cracks with filler or gum or whatever.
im going to use a strut brace also.
i dont think its bad enough damage to have mucked up the front suspension at all. it seems to drive ok.
i am hoping that no welding will be necessary. it would be hard hard not to get the some bullcrap spurl that its gonna be a prick of a job and cost thousands cos of this and that when a few spot welds would do etc.
i could do any filling, touch u paint and the strut brace myself, i would just need to get someone to do the welding side if it WAS required. would any welding place be fine, or would a panel beater be the go (avoiding the bs pirates)?
thanks

[VYMAD]

Just my personal opinion, slow. I am not an expert! They don't look ALL that bad yet, however if it were my car I'd be filling them with a filler that when set still allows some flex/movement,. And I'd be researching strut braces and trying to get one that allows you to pull tension in the opposite direction to the cracks to 'close them up' a bit.
Or maybe fit and adjust the brace first, then fill them.

I have a Holden non-adjustable brace on my VY, hopefully will prevent this occurring on mine. But as I say, I'm no expert on this, just get a few more opinions before you go to the expense and drama of welding them, because as you say, it still drives fine and a brace should prevent any further cracking.

[slowandlow]

that method really sounds like the go vymad. ive had a few nights to think about it now, search google, check mine against other example, hear a few opinions of people who claim to weld/and or be mechanics or do bodyworks, check mine closer again etc.
i am getting the impression that spot isnt welded in the first place, its maybee just filler from factory.
a strut brace should do a great job of preventing any further damage, and im pretty sure the gap is small enough to just fill.
i can find plenty of standard strut braces online, but not any adjustable ones yet, but ill keep looking for now. it would be nice to use sealant, then push the crack closed while its still wet, then smoth out the surface if needed.
as well as fixing a problem, it would improve the looks of the eginge bay too, so im really not too annoyed about the situation anymore. looking at it as a mod (yayyy! presents) hahaha

[slowandlow]

ok, i think i found the adjustable one now.
im wondering if the chrome looking color will go with the red and black in the engine bay. might have to look into getting it anodised possibly. or... maybee the chrome will be acceptable. ill have to check it out. at least i can sit it in place before mounting to have a good look first.

[VYMAD]

I think Whiteline are adjustable. Just make sure you have the clearence for a strut brace under your bonnet. The VY bonnet was modified slightly to accomodate a brace, but I know people do put them on VT, VS, etc, so you may need to get a particular one.

[hi_ryder]

did you buy the car like this, or is this damage from driving in your ownership? could be a sign that car has had a major hit in the front and wasnt repaired properly. squeeze some brush on sealer in those cracks and brush touch it with some paint....

edit: i wonder what the measurements of the car would be like if you put it up on a car bench....

[Crisis63]

The original Holden braces are quite cheap comapared to others and are set up specifically for the car so it should give you the correct distance. Just my opinion.

[slowandlow]

it came like it when i bought it. it has had a bash under the drivers side (something that left paint too :| , but i cant spot any major accident repairs. or feel anything bad when im driving.
would measuring it on a bench be of any worth? it is a pretty old car. as long as the wheels point strait and it doesnt drive all weird, i would think thats good enough unless its a show car or a really new car.
yeah, ill do the brush thing and the brace anyway. im not rich enough to be able to afford using all the panel beating knicknacks anyway... sounds expensive as going there. the cars only worth 10 grand (maybee)

[hi_ryder]

dosent look like any spot welds broke loose. just spread a little. bench measuring isnt worth it i was just typing out loud.. when ever i see something spread like that its an indication of old accident damage that someone either forgot to fix or just didnt care to... what you can do though is get a tape measure and check the distance from one bolt to the other in a cross pattern. the center of the bolt on the driver side front guard near the headlight, from that bolt to passenger side guard bolt near the bonnet hinges. if the measurements of the 2 cross spans are different the car is out of square and you know its had a hit.... the car may have just hit a dukes of hazard style jump and bottomed out or hit something underneath to cause that shock tower damage your took pics of... if the car drives ok than just touch it up and call it a day... but next time you buy a car do a full inspection and stay away for damage that looks like that....

[slowandlow]

good idea with the tape measure.

as i mentioned above there is medium damage under the drivers seat on the undercarraige. i gotta wonder what they did for that to happen. gawd theres some clowns out there...

i was probably a bit hasty to get this car, but its not all bad. the car i traded in had some issues coming up with the bodywork over the next few years. i figured i am able to achieve a better car in the end with this one, was my main hope. and at least the 5spd 5lt bit is more funner than the ecotec v6
but yes. i will be more thorough in an inspection next time. im have a problem of impatience with things like that
ide prefer to be putting effort into mods rather than repairs