Hi, I saw a 2003 S80 in the local U-Pull-it, it was a pretty solid-looking car actually, the kind you hate to see in the salvage yard. I opened the hood to see what I could see, and noticed that someone had welded a piece of plate on top of the strut towers. It was very heavy, maybe 1/4 inch, and square, but the corners were bent over to sort of comform to the curved top of the tower and it was welded to the tower at each corner. There was a hole in the center, as one would have to have to access the top of the strut, but it was rather roughly torched, and there were no other holes or bolts in the plate. The car was not rusty at all and was not beat up, although the interior had a lot of wear and sun damage.
I could not imagine why this was done; has anyone seen this or do you have any idea?

 

I have no idea. Maybe the spring seat was busted and they chose to hack it rather than replace it?

 

A version (not a good one), of a solid strut mount. I see the point in it all... but wouldn't have gone to that measure. I have solid strut mounts in another vehicle of mine for a reason.

Did it have the struts still in the vehicle?

 

Yes, the front suspension was all there.
Do you refer to a reinforcement of the top of the tower, as some sort of performance/handling enhancement?

 

Indeed...