Hello Joe, you need to carefully consider whether you should weld on this unit, many of these are nitrogen charged under fairly high pressures. They can pose some explosive hazards unless they are discharged before welding and then re-charged afterwards. If this is a high-pressure gas-filled shock I would discharge the gas and then consider submerging the shock in a bucket of water to just below where you are going to weld, carefully attach your ground connection and weld the exposed area, also keep in mind that you are working around water and try to avoid putting yourself in a position where you could become the path of least resistance, allow it to cool and then take it to an approved facility to have it re-charged. A few thoughts for your consideration. Best regards, Allan

I'm kind of with Allan and wouldn't weld on it because of those hazards.  I'd search the aftermarket for better prices on new shocks and you will probably find something better that way that OEM too but main struts are high no matter where you get them.  Older shocks had mineral oil in them then silicone synthetic oils but many today are gas filled.  In fire and rescue we are trained to not approach vehicles burning from front or back that had those older bumper shock absorbers when those heat up going off and shoot the bumper off can take your legs off with the force.  Seen barns or shops burn and the bumpers flew into a wall putting a hole in it or smashed another vehicle and if someone had been there they would have been seriously hurt.  Same on struts they could shoot upward or outward if get hot enough.  Hydrogen lights up you probably won't ever see the flames from it and it's more dangerous if you do extinguish flames then it can reignite for a explosion just keep it cool or let it burn off.