Death of the westy, long lived the westy

shadetreetim · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 10:50 am Post subject:

Well that just sucks, Levi. Sorry to read this. I can understand waiting to check the rear swing arm adjustment to preserve hope, but, just think how good it will feel when you realize its just an alignment to fix the dog-tracking problem.

Git 'er dun! Very Happy

Then you can move on to worrying fulltime about the Merc drivers insurance. Evil or Very Mad

Since your already parting it out, I'll take all 4 wheels. Laughing

_________________
Tim Potts

Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!

'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5

Parabellum · Samba Member Joined: November 05, 2011 Posts: 1

Hello Levi

Sorry to hear and see the bad news. I am glad you are were not hurt. Perhaps the van can be fixed ?
Well good luck. Looks like it might have happened not that far from me.

Sorry,

WestyBob · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 11:22 am Post subject:

My 2 cents -- by any means necessary get it repaired 'cause they're getting scarce.

Jeffrey using bad taste ? That's why we luv'em in Pdx ... he can't move, nobody else can have 'em Wink

Seriously sorry about the accident ... and just for being parked no less. There's a nice flash silver vanagon hardtop in my hood that got hit the same way while parked on the street. I try to keep all mine on the tarmac driveway when possible ....

edgood1 · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 4:21 pm Post subject:

I would think that the rear trailing arm or its mounting brackets were bent, but certainly not the frame.

It takes a hell of an impact to bend the frame, like a direct impact with a lot of inertia. I don't tihnk a sideswipe could do it.

Get that rear suspension off, check it out. Repair as necessary and do a 4 wheel alignment. You'll be good as new. I would hope the "marcedes" owner's insurance will pay for the repair and your new paint job.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia

levi · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 4:43 pm Post subject:

Well, good news! Hallelujah and all that other stuff Laughing

Pulled off the left 2 wheels, and I can definitely see where the rear bolt for the toe has been skewed over, on the rear arm I can see separation lines in the caked on crap, which to me suggests it's bent underneath.
Front tie rod is in a major twist, barely able to rotate enough to allow the wheel to turn.

Not going to mess with any of it till the ins. co's have had their day in the sun, just giving it a cursory exam, but it's all good to know.

Alignment of the rear end is something I've never done myself, leaving it to the domain of Loogy and anyone else with the equipment for it, so I had never even examined how the rear components come together before. Now I can see why everyone knew it wasn't going to be a bent frame.

very cool Cool

time to get prepared for waiting on the next chapters.

Thanks to everyone who pitched in their thoughts on this!
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

70coupyel · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 4:57 pm Post subject:

levi good to hear. Do you think that your after market bumper helped save you from more damage?
_________________

mtwrench540 · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 5:19 pm Post subject: TOTALED

amazing how tough these vans are,and yes your bumpers helped you big time!!!! and no frame,you are unibody!!!
_________________
87 wolfsberg,74 181w/1915 and lots of patina! learned to fix vw's from hot vw mag in 1964,VWOA instructor,DSM,69 to73,service mgr at different porsche-audi dealers etc,etc,now retired!!! first vw new 64,transplanted 356 eng in 65,400characters are not enough space!!

levi · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject:

levi · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: TOTALED

dixoncj · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 6:17 pm Post subject:

Damn Levi - that sux. Are those Van-Cafe bumpers?
I think I see a set in the future for my '91 Westy. I used to have Van Cafe's on a Syncro and they seemed tough as nails. It appears that they truly are. Seems because they sit "away" from the body of your van more than the GoWesty's, they can protect the body better in an impact. I'd welcome your unfortunate real world opinion.
CD

juanb · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 7:06 pm Post subject:

As someone who parks in the street a few times each week, I've followed this thread with horror.

I'm glad the damage doesn't seem as bad as it did at the beginning, and, given that you are ok, I'm glad you were there to witness the accident and call the cops. I always imagine the nightmare of walking into a hit-and-run-wrecked Westy.

Now, here's hoping that the insurance company pays up as it should, and you end up with an as good or better van than you had before.
_________________
1989 Westy AT, 2.2 GoWesty.
We drove it to Argentina: http://www.vanenvan.com

DAIZEE · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 9:17 pm Post subject:

Yes, please don't give up on it. I can't see that the frame could be harmed by the directional hit and scraping up the side. I'd say the Vanagon stood up well to the Benz. We are a hearty bunch.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

levi · Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 1:59 pm Post subject:

levi · Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 2:04 pm Post subject:

climberjohn · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 12:17 am Post subject:

Levi,

I am glad things are looking favorable for you.

(and don't mind Carterzest too much, we keep him on a short leash here in Portland.)

Good vibes your way,
CJ
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

DAIZEE · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 2:59 pm Post subject:

Yeh Carterzest isn't as much fun anymore, it's either/or the short leash or he doesn't do 2WD anymore Laughing

sigh >>> syncro lust Cool

_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

Bman · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 4:30 pm Post subject:

Don't give up on her yet Levi....
_________________
~Bryan
1990 Burgandy Tintop (Wife's Daily Driver)
1989 Tiico Westfalia "Taj"

2WD Doka build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=503578&highlight=
FaceHook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/VW-T3-DokaSinka/129026087217120?ref=hl

DAIZEE · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 4:43 pm Post subject:

X 2 underlined and exclamation mark. Just goes to show you not all vehicles created equally. Have fingers crossed for insurance!!!!
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

carterzest · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:13 pm Post subject:


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