Hey dudes,
I am getting too much bounce in the back, so I bought a pair of Bilstein Touring shocks for the rear of my 2003 X-Type with almost 120K miles. The guy at the shop called me back in and said there was a lot of risk of stuff breaking due to rust around the top mount and the studs being rusted, and the job could turn into a custom fix-up if stuff starts to break. So I went to check it out. There is rust around where the top mount connects to the body and the nut stud connection is rusted as well.
What is your experience with how strong this top mount area and studs are? Will stuff that appears rusted on the surface snap, thread, or break easily? Is the top mount welded to the body or screwed on through the other side?

Thanks dudes,
I snapped a pic and tried to attach it to this thread, so you can see what I am trying to describe.

What do you think?

 

Is your mechanic trying to tell you that the bolts might just snap since they are rusted? If so, he is correct. It could be sketchy to try and loosen the bolts since one my just snap. Then you'd really be in trouble.

 

can't bolts be replaced? or is it welded to the body?

 

Ended up having the dealer install them. $200 bucks, none of the top mounts broke, only the bolt through the bottom loop on the shock broke, had to be cut out and replaced.

Wow, rides very different, wish I did this 30K miles ago.

 

Spending on shocks never lets you down , good to see it's worked for you too