You're probably fine for now, but as time goes on it will get worse and eventually a bump could break it. A game of risk, how far do you want to push it?

 

That's not a big deal. Since there's nothing there on the vehicle that can cause this to happen, it must have happened during install, or during manufacturing where it wasn't painted completely. You'll be fine. I have seen plenty of rusty shocks and struts over the years that still worked. As long as you're not experiencing issues due to old or bad struts- don't worry about it.

 

uhmm that strut and its pattern looks like tire rub...

its surface theres no actual corrosion its all surface grab a can of Rust converter and give that spot a few sprays then just throw on some black paint over it..

if you think thats bad you should of seen the ones on my wagon i just parted

 

What is the "bounce test" ?

 

usually going primal grabbing the hood or whatever you can get a grip on and jumping like an ape on the bumper to see how many times the car (Bounces) if its over x amount of time its bad, if its under x amount of times its good.. or to see if you have ******* hydraulics to make the car bounce as your driving down the road...

bad shocks lead to excessive bouncing which causes a deterioration of handling and braking ability..

 

Moved to Brakes, Suspension & Chassis.

Yes, that looks like rub marks to me as well - need to figure out why.

Older where rusty, fresher further down. Current rub showing might be from wheel/tire removal, still needs a look.

Just how close are the current wheels/tires when fitted? Are they at the same gap on each side? Ever have a different set installed? Stock ones for all?

 

It's been in an accident.

 

1. when was the accident
2. where was the impact
3. who did the repairs
4. whens the last time the balljoints/suspension been checked
5. whens the last time the car had an alignment?

sorry but when someone says accident it usually just explodes into a can of worms (can of questions) as just because it looks ok doesnt mean it is.. there was someone in the forums not to long ago that whacked the rear end of the car everything looked straight but when they got a 4 corner alignment check that corner was punched IN on the bottom and out on the top which that is a terrifying thought seeing it will track bad, tires will get really worn REALLY fast and is a danger because who knows whats bent/cracked or broken...
all cars i get used the very first thing i get the dealer to do is a 4 corner alignment with full printout.. if they say no i walk away.. i have yet to find a dealer who hasn't did the alignment on request

 

Yeah - 10 times yeah.

That increases the likelihood of a bent strut at least, other issues unknown.

Why I asked about clearance to the wheel, see that rub with one that's bent even IF it doesn't rub all the time.

 

i just looked at my SAP's clearance i LITERALLY have about 1/2 inch if even that from the tire to my strut and its on proper factory installed aluminum's and the size ford says belongs to those rims and that car.

i have also seen bent rims do that.

 

Replace for sure.

 

The rust ain't spit and thin enough you could get that after a weekend of car sitting in rain. Meaning tire may still be rubbing and you need to get that fixed like yesterday.