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Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:36 am

I have seen some good ones but this is downright dangerous.

Helping a guy with a transmission leak on his syncro westy I see this while under there.
Front lower control arm bolt.

From the deformation in the nut, thread engagement was AT MOST 50%..

Which instantly reminded me of this :wink:

If you are new to Vanagons or wrenching take it to someone with a good reputation,
shop or local knowleagble helpful owner/mechanic.

Wall of shame ! The shoddy work edition !

Wed Jun 09, 2021 8:50 am

Should I post just the link to my build thread or repost every single picture here? :oops: :lol:

Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:10 am

You must mean the "...not-cheapening-out" Syncro post..

If so I try (unsuccesfully) to stay away from that one..

Pictures are just TOO GOOD..I get lost in there and don't get any work done :lol: :lol: :lol:

Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:11 am

syncroserge wrote: Wall of shame !

These vans have been worked on for so many years.....decades.
Maybe the feller intended to deal with it later, then since it was "under the van" out of sight, out of mind....... then forgot about it.
Got old or something.
Maybe gave up due to other problems and just and sold the van.
To get ahold of a Syncro, there can be luck involved, and if that's all that was wrong...... :wink:
( i doubt that was all....)

These vans would not be here at all if every person had to take it to a pro.
And those who need to take vans to a pro, will sell theirs at some collision of cost.vs.value, unless they have significant disposable income.
An income that makes driving VW vans, kind of a conundrum or anachronism or social media thing.

And not everyone has access to a 'proper' professional nor the ability to evaluate the quality of the pro.

I'll bet it was a temporary fix, maybe just to get the van off the blocks, that was forgotten and then driven.
That's always the risk of 'temporary'.

Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:28 am

I should have mentioned that the present owner did not do this. He is the second owner.

And the local shop he went to once is NOT the kind of place that does s..t like that.

Definitely previous owner molestations.

Based on other shoddy repairs I have found on that van I don't think this was a "temporary" thing.

On the tranny output flanges, missing dished washer on one side, wrong improper fitting circlip on the other side.

Bolts on the upper ball joints COMPLETELY stripped...and many more of this type.

Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:57 pm

never trust a PO

check it over - all over when you buy

Fri Jun 11, 2021 3:58 pm

Sodo wrote:
I'll bet it was a temporary fix, maybe just to get the van off the blocks, that was forgotten and then driven.
That's always the risk of 'temporary'.

there's nothing more permanent than a temporary fix.... but don't diss this. maybe he was in Elko Nevada and had to get home. got home and by gosh it still works and well he sold it and the next person didn't see it.

these are antiques. ANYTHING is possible.

Sat Jun 12, 2021 5:28 am

Mybe the half of the threads holding have red lock tight?

Sat Jun 12, 2021 7:33 am

0cean wrote: Maybe the half of the threads holding have red lock tight?

Now that there brothers and sisters is funny ! luv it !

On a darker side, since the first post I have learned that a shop (yup a repair shop in BC, with a nice building
and a website ) did this.

Well now it has quality parts with the proper bolts, properly torqued.

I have personally Macgyvered repairs on the road and left them in place when I got home just to see..

But never something that can kill you !

Sat Jun 12, 2021 7:36 am

Merian wrote: never trust a PO

check it over - all over when you buy

Exactly!..the PO can be the nicest guy/girl and honest and just plain not know.