Is my strut shot or not?

[Nuvo]

It's clear from the pics below that the gas shock is leaking oil on the strut and needs replacing.

What do you guys think about the corrosion on the strut? Is it still in serviceable condition or will it disintegrate when I try to remove/replace the strut top cap?
I appreciate that the pics only show so much.

I have my own opinion of on this of course, but I like to hear others, particularly those that may have encountered the same problem.

Thanks

[Mikes2]

I'd take it off the car and attack it with a wire brush to remove the surface corrosion.

[Fat Audi 80]

Doesn't look good does it. I agree with Mike

[Error404]

You'll probably find it's not as bad as it looks once you've cleaned it up. Whether you'll get the cap off is another question
I've often had to split them to get them off. Worth checking you can still get new ones before getting the grinder out!!

[bertman]

Mine were quite bad,but I bought a thread file and used that on cleaning up the thread on the strut.Managed to create quite a clean thread and the strut cap was alot easier to put back on
You might be able to salvage that strut once cleaned up

[Gazmitchell]

Yep did my rears , had to put a groove in with grinder to cold chisel it round on threads , then weld up groove when done .

[andy10v]

I would use a knotted wire wheel in an angle grinder and see what is underneath. Unless you need it to be a straight swap I would not rush out and buy another strut yet.

Removing the cap, usual fun; slitting disc and chisel, pipe wrench, heat (carefully) etc

[Nuvo]

Thank to everyone for the great advice and tips. I'll try clean it up first and make my decision based on what I see.

Is it usual for the drivers side struts to be more heavily corroded? The passenger side one looks to be in far better condition.

[Mikes2]

It's usually more dependent on the state of the dust protector / bump stop. Don't see one in your pics.

is it missing or disintegrated or much higher up ?

[Nuvo]

That's a really good question, the pics I have where taken with the wheel still on the car. The protective sleeve can be seen below. Is the sleeve sitting to high? I'm guessing that it is so the bump stop could well be toast.

[Mikes2]

Looks about right.

I always think the OEM ones are too short. The Sachs ones are better as they're longer and cover the entire length of the exposed shock piston