I put my '00 into the shop to check for any alignment/steering issues after I had a death wobble coming down the highway. They didn't do anything about that, expressing much more concern over this shock absorber connection being rusted out. In the second picture you can see that the bracket has see-through holes, and in both a 'finger' hole where a mechanic poked through the rust.

What is the play here? What kind of cost am I looking at? How dangerous is it to drive? I have a conference this weekend and don't want to book a rental if I have to, about ~300 miles highway driving.

Thanks, I'm not great at this kind of thing. Hopefully the picture quality is OK.

 

I wouldn't drive it. If the shock breaks loose it's unlikely to but could get in the way of or damage something else. You would also be at the mercy of an undampened spring on one side. I've not heard of it before but I can imagine a shock wiggling around on a weak mount could have caused death wobble.

I believe you can get replacement shock/spring mounts but they need to be welded on properly. The other option is a replacement axle without holes in it, well, the factory holes are allowed.

I couldn't give you an estimated cost as parts availability and labour cost will be wildly different for me and you.

 

The death wobble happened after a concrete overpass bridge gap thing, very similar to the only other time it happened which was over a train crossing, and that one would be in early 2020. I don't know how much that matters, though... my plan is to go slow and avoid gaps/cracks in the pavement, and then see if I can get it into the shop next week. 10.1.1

 

My shock mount isn’t pretty either but I think your rusted shock makes it look worse than it is. The shock looks like it hasn’t been replaced in 50 years. If you can change your own shocks, take the old out and inspect the mount. If the part where the bolts attach seems solid I wouldn’t worry about the hump like part with the rust holes in it. Mine is exactly like that and so far no issues. I’ve replaced shocks 3 times now on my ‘93.

 

10.1.1
Aw jeez, I'm only so-so at working on the old man, I would need a full weekend to replace shocks because I don't want to screw up. This is good to hear, though I think I've committed to another car for my drive this weekend but I'm taking it to another mechanic next week, 2nd opinion and then we'll see.

 

I **** you not, it literally takes 15-20 minutes to change out a shock. Once the tire is off of course. Spray the bolts with PB Blaster a day ahead and you’ll have no problem.
I’ll post a pic of the bolt/nut sizes of mine. Yours may differ.