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Fri Apr 19, 2024 8:06 pm

Hello all!
We are stranded in Hood river in our 86 Westy. The left rear control arm imploded on itself beyond repair. Please let me know if you have one available at your earliest convenience. Thanks
Ethan
7072871735

Fri Apr 19, 2024 8:11 pm

Hi Ethan
Sorry to hear about your troubles.
Download the VanAlert app, it could help you find local help.

http://vanalert.com/

Good luck out there!

Fri Apr 19, 2024 8:18 pm

Dave at Gorge Automotive, 541-386-5030.

We lost a water pump nearly a decade ago, he jumped right on it, was cool, and reasonable, and totally dug V-Dubs.

Recommended, and he’s open at 10 am Saturday. Not sure he has parts, but you’re halfway there.

GOOD LUCK!

Fri Apr 19, 2024 11:14 pm

New ones are available, try VanCafe or T3

Link https://vancafe.com/trailing-arm-driver-side/

Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:00 am

Just curious--What causes a rear control arm to implode?

Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:07 am

Love My Westy wrote: Just curious--What causes a rear control arm to implode?

My money's on rust...

Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:12 am

Not sure exactly what happened but the hoop where the bushing is pressed had separated causing the spring to shift and break off the seat causing the suspension and wheel to collapse on itself. Tire was rubbing on the frame and spring real bad. Here’s my current limp set up. :/

Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:18 am

VicVan wrote:
My money's on rust...

Bingo.

Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:22 am

Did you get a lead or find that part locally yet? Have you called any of the Portland VW parts stores yet? If so which ones?

Sat Apr 20, 2024 8:44 am

Probably should do both sides. The rear will need alignment once repaired. Other than the spring perch which is available as a repair part, I'm pretty sure the arms are interchangable side to side if you deal with the spring perch. I mention this only because you are on the road and if you can get the opposite side near by, it could be adapted to get you moving.

My diagnosis is between the heavy duty shock, spring and those trick rear brakes, that point was seeing some load. :wink:

Edit: you are in luck. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2664201

Sat Apr 20, 2024 9:38 am

I have a set, but I am 250 Miles away, NE of Seattle.

I was just about to clean my spare set up for new bushings.

There is a left one for sale in the classifieds in Eugene

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2664201

Sat Apr 20, 2024 10:16 am

Note to self; pack a coupla ratchet straps for roadside repairs.

OP, AWESOME use of straps!!!

Sat Apr 20, 2024 10:22 am

Ethan,
Dang! Bob Gordon with PDX Van-Alert shared your plight with me this hour.
Your best resource is Miles @ No Name Garage in Eugene. He is legit and that (L) trailing arm is perfect. The shop is closed on weekends, but hopefully, it gives you time to tear down the broken arm assembly. Bushings can be obtained from Miles as well. I have a tub of bushing snot if you wish to use it. Feel free to contact me if you need a ride there and back. You pay for fuel : )
While in Hood River take time to get on your bike and check out the Mosier Twin Tunnels at Hatfield State Park for stress relief. There are places to see and enjoy. BTW-Jorge (Hood River Auto) in Parkdale does have some VW parts, but I do not recall any Vanagon hulks.
Jeffery

Sat Apr 20, 2024 12:02 pm

Thank for all the help folks.
I did source a part in Portland via Halsey referral. Someone working there had one in his personal stash. 300$ ouch 🤕 but it’s the part I need and should get the van goin by tonight or tmw morning.

I’ll definitely look at the other side once I get home.

Sat Apr 20, 2024 1:05 pm

scoutwesty wrote: one in his personal stash. 300$ ouch 🤕 but it’s the part I need and should get the van goin by tonight or tmw morning.

guess what? that is what they go for. they have never been cheap and only harder to find as rust claimed many of them. They are 400+ new then add shipping. You were lucky to find one essentially same day for a almost 40 year old vehicle

Sat Apr 20, 2024 1:12 pm

$300, that wouldn’t even make a dent in what you have invested in rear shocks, suspension, and brakes. I’d have been happy at $600 when on the road. Glad you will be moving again soon.

Sat Apr 20, 2024 6:11 pm

Honestly just grateful a fellow enthusiast was willing to help in a pinch. Avery’s air cooled had one available too. Thank god for the northwest. Very grateful the rest of the system wasn’t damaged beyond repair.

Now to wrestle the bolts out of place.

The upper spring seat has also decided it’s tired as well.

I’m sure someone sells a replacement? Weld in im assuming?

Sun Apr 21, 2024 4:43 am

I don’t recall seeing a replacement. A local welder could fabricate something pretty easily using the rubber spring pad for dimensions out of some spare metal. If all it did was spread the load across the good metal that would likely be enough without welding it in. It would be nice to have the bump stop support welded to it. Should be fixable local to you.

Sun Apr 21, 2024 5:13 am

No personal experience with the repops but heritage parts is 330 for a trailing arm, but that would take a while plus expedited shipping.

When your trips done you might want to check what's going on under that bed liner on the lower body line. Give it a good wash underneath and look around the rest of the underbody.