I have a 80 300D W123
There's some rust on the bottom just in front of the rear wheel wells
I've noticed that the inner side of the wheel well has rusted out where it joins the body (just behind the subframe mounts) and there's some separation there
Is this terminal and seriosly structural or a cosmetic issue
I realize these cars are unibodies and I've done repair work on them, just not in this area

No takers?

Can you post of pic of what you are talking about?
That would give everyone a better idea on how to answer.

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Okay , some photos
It's raining here and things are dripping through
I've redone the floorboards and front seat mounts on both sides of this car and was wondering about this inner wheel well rust,,,it's nasty, but is it structural?
The car does sit low in the rear end(could be subframe bushings, differential mount etc etc) and is a bit bouncy/floaty(likely shocks)
Sometimes if you hit a bump or slight pothole when cornering the rear feels like it slips over as a result

Please excuse these dirt pictures of my cars bottom
The first two are the drivers side the second two are the passenger side

Attached Thumbnails

       

Everything in that area is structural.
If you can weld, it is repairable.



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hmmm
weld it or weld the frame rails on my wagon??
decisions decisions
Is this bad to be driving?

It is not a good idea to drive with structural weakness = it critically weakens the whole body in an IMPACT/accident.

The final decision is yours.

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I appreciate your insight.
Just so you know I'm looking for opinion rather than someone to make a decision for me The resposibilty is of course all mine.
I guess what I should've asked is :
In the short term is my Axle going to drop off? back end fly away?
Wheels go akimbo etc etc
I would make the assumption that in it's current condition this is probably not the best small boat tow vehicle.
As I said I'm soliciting opinion, rather than decision making.
And the responsibilty is all mine

I have driven far worse with no issue.
Best guess:
From what I see in the pictures; The car should last a year even in Detroit Michigan corrosion, before things start falling off.

I assume you are aware:
Any time the tire hits water, it will blast it into the passenger compartment through the opening.


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You mean the area under the back seat? Or into the trunk area?

I did the floorboards and the rocker panels(?) other than the jack points which are obviously , currently toast.
So there's no access from the back wheels into the rear seat footwells
I have to check the drains as well though as water is dripping out of the area just forward of the wheel wells.
hmmmm

The trunk is considered a part of the passenger compartment.

I hope to be wrong.
#1. Use a pressure washer or go to a manual wand car wash.
#2. Go inside with a strong flashlight.
#3. Have your assistant blast the entire corrosion area.

I would expect to find several weeping leaks.

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