Rear axle beam rust

[Big Papi]

Hey all, could use some advise on my 78. I found some rust on my rear axle beam. From what I've been reading this is the type of stuff that kills a bus. Hopefully, I've caught it early enough so that it can be fixed. I read a post from Bus Daddy that detailed fixing what looked like a much more extensive issue than this, but I wanted to get some opinions on the feasibility of this repair. This is not something I will be tackling myself. I do have some limited welding experience but not at this level.

I'm mainly interested in: is this fixable or is this bus toast? The rest of the bus is in pretty good shape. I just did a massive engine refresh and the camper interior is original and functional. I would rather not part it out or try to swap my engine into a different bus.

And, will the repair be safe? I throw my kids in this thing from time to time.

Additionally, It looks like the beam was repaired at some time in the past. You can see welds around the beam where it connects to the spring plate. The welds go all around. Both sides look like this. Was this some hack repair in the past? I've had it for 10yrs and didn't notice... ho!

Here are some photos:

Left side. worst of the rust. poked through the frame.

Left side. See the weld all around the beam

Right Side. the metal under the flange was solid.

Inside flange right side

Right side. no poke through. see the welds that go all around the beam.

The rest of the beam that isn't in the photos doesn't appear to be rusted out.

Thanks for the help.
Matt




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1978 ASI Riviera
TypeIV FI

[busdaddy]

Looks pretty tame compared to some, those welds were put there by VW, the one closest to the end holds the forged end fixture into the tube and the inner one holds the stiffener to the tube.
I'd kill the rust, patch the holes and not worry too much about it.
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[SGKent]

or see what BusDaddy might charge to fix it right. It depends on where in Oregon you are. The only issue you might have in my humble opinion is listening to him gloat about the Canadians beating us again in hockey.
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George Carlin:
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Skills@EuroCarsPlus:
"never time to do it right but always time to do it twice"

[Big Papi]

Thanks for the replies. That makes my day. I was fearing the worst after reading about structural rust issues.

Do you think it would be wise to have a body shop get in there on those weak spots and grind it out and have them weld some patches in. Then weld a patch for the flanges?

Unfortunately, I'm in the rainy but non-salty side of oregon.

hard to beat the canucks at their own game.
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1978 ASI Riviera
TypeIV FI