Is my shock tower messed up?

[poconos_power]

So I'm finally getting back around to my 70 duster project. Had it on the lift and started evaluating what metal work I need to do, as well as laying out the plan for the rest of the project. Anyway, looking at my shock towers it seem there is a large gap between the shock mount and the body panel on the driver side. Is this a natural factory variance, or something more serious I need to address? I ultimately plan to do some mild autocross with the car.

I should add I see no broken. welds or evidence there was previous repair in that are, it just seem to have a gap.

 

[4spdragtop]

I believe that's factory "normal"

 

[Dave999]

On an Australian A body the top of that tower is bolted through into the top side of the inner fender via a braised on strengthening plate
they seem to have used something similar to a splined hub stud, splined into the plate with a nut and lock washer against the flat surface of the top of the tower inside the fender and done up nice and tight. the hole in the top of the tower is a slot to take up variance in production.

one of mine was snapped when i got my car. made quite a difference to handling once I replaced the snapped one with a big bolt. must stop some flex in the front rails i guess

the top part of the tower definitely move around if you jack the car under the K and leave the weight of the front suspension hanging

that gap you see will be smaller when wheels are on the ground

i undid both of mine and did them up with the weight on the wheels.

pictured is the standard one.

Dave

 

[Demonic]

Totally normal. The angle that the undercoat was sprayed accentuates the look, but they're all like that.

 

[Daves69]

..........Anyway, looking at my shock towers.............

FWIW, make sure you check ALL the areas where they attach to the frame as well. Notorious for rusting.

 

[Inertia]

I just replaced a frame rail where that fender support was loose where it attaches to frame, between those alignment adjusters.
That fender support should be solid, try bouncing on the fender, see if that support moves with the shock, in/out.
Pry it back and forth, that shock support takes a beating .
Good luck

 

[poconos_power]

Glad to know that's normal to see. I've checked out every part of the car, and I'm going to be building this one because it is almost entirely rust free (small quarter patches needed). Everything is solid in that area and I plan to add reinforce what I can, but it was confusing to see the gap yet everything seemed fully attached and the inner fender wasn't messed up. It seems like a really beefy piece, I could not easily believe it would move out like that and show no other signs of damage.

 

[poconos_power]

FWIW, make sure you check ALL the areas where they attach to the frame as well. Notorious for rusting.

As I take the front suspension off I'll give it a closer look.