1981 VW Caddy. Fixable, or Doomed?

Roguetek

So I aquired a 1981 VW caddy that someone else put a lot of work into. they put a 1.9L turbo motor in it, possibly from a gen set, or some other application. It's not a TDI, it's a plain diesel with turbo. That's not the problem

The problem is the shock towers. While there is only surface rust, the tops are slightly bulged, enough to make spiderweb cracks in the paint.

but on the foreward side of both shock mounts, the body sealer is cracked. scraping away the sealer reveals that the metal underneath is cracked as well. on the drivers side, there's a 1-1.5mm gap where the metal underneath is broken.

now, from the looks of this, I could wire wheel off the sealer, break out the TIG welder, and stitch everything back up.

But I don't know if it would be safe to drive. I -think- so, but I'd like to be sure. can anyone else chime in here?[/img]

Old n' slow · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:56 pm Post subject:

Neighbors of mine had a Chevy Metro , they were known for rusting out on top of the shock towers . They had a local shop do a terrific job that lasted for years until the rest of the car broke down . It looked like they formed a metal plate covering over the tower and welded it on . I personally wouldn't trust a simple TIG welding of the existing cracks . At the least try forming metal patches over the cracks . Hammering them over as you weld them flush to the original contour .
_________________
Currently own : 1969 Beetle w/ 1600cc, Single Port, Solex 30 PICT 2, Dist. 113 905 205 T, stock exhaust.
All my daily drivers gone but not forgotten;

1964(sunroof)1967 & (2)1968 Beetles , 1968 Squareback , 1963 (23 window )Deluxe Sunroof Bus , 1969 Westphalia camper, 1974 Dasher , 1985 Vanagon , (2) 1981 Rabbit Diesels & a 1991 Jetta Diesel .

Roguetek · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 11:12 am Post subject:

that was kinda my thought. make a 'sandwich' over the cracked areas. I'd still weld the original break, but I'd plate it top and bottom as well.

Are Caddys known for this sort of failure, or did someone do something stupid to this one?

Old n' slow · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 7:17 am Post subject:

I've owned four of them from 1981 to 1991 , none were rusted , but I have seen others rusted from salted roads .
_________________
Currently own : 1969 Beetle w/ 1600cc, Single Port, Solex 30 PICT 2, Dist. 113 905 205 T, stock exhaust.
All my daily drivers gone but not forgotten;

1964(sunroof)1967 & (2)1968 Beetles , 1968 Squareback , 1963 (23 window )Deluxe Sunroof Bus , 1969 Westphalia camper, 1974 Dasher , 1985 Vanagon , (2) 1981 Rabbit Diesels & a 1991 Jetta Diesel .

Old n' slow · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 7:19 am Post subject:

I just noticed where you live .

I GUESS SALTED WINTER ROADS WERE NOT THE PROBLEM .
_________________
Currently own : 1969 Beetle w/ 1600cc, Single Port, Solex 30 PICT 2, Dist. 113 905 205 T, stock exhaust.
All my daily drivers gone but not forgotten;

1964(sunroof)1967 & (2)1968 Beetles , 1968 Squareback , 1963 (23 window )Deluxe Sunroof Bus , 1969 Westphalia camper, 1974 Dasher , 1985 Vanagon , (2) 1981 Rabbit Diesels & a 1991 Jetta Diesel .

winchin73blazinbaja · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 7:36 am Post subject:

get some steel plate and weld it on. can you post a pic so we can better asses the issue?

Roguetek · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:57 pm Post subject:

I've been trying to post a pic, this site's system for handling pix is a little... convoluted. I'll keep trying.

EverettB · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 11:02 pm Post subject:

How to post pics link in my signature
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Roguetek · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 5:56 am Post subject:

veedubman72 · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:43 am Post subject:

That is no bueno. I would check up under the wheel well. I'll bet dollars there's issues going on up under the undercoating

Roguetek · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 6:54 pm Post subject:

It is indeed 'no bueno' the question is 'is it fixable?'

veedubman72 · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:03 pm Post subject:

Anything metalwork wise is fixable, but without stripping away the paint and crap (especially underneath) you won't know the extent. Likely you won't have to completely replace the shock tower, but me personally I wouldn't drive around on that. Mk1s are notorious for rotten shock towers beyond what you see on the surface.

winchin73blazinbaja · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:06 pm Post subject:

nothing a few pieces of steel plate and a welder cannot fix. but Definitely strip back the coating and see the whole extent. coating is a blessing and a curse. great for stopping the start of rust but makes it worse once it is started.

Roguetek · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 7:48 am Post subject:

Well, I live in South Texas, so rust really isn't much of a thing down here, you know?


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Water-cooled VW	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1