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Indikaper Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2018 Posts: 15
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 4:29 am Post subject: Front chassis cracks |
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Hi folks,
I am having vw bug since few years..few years ago I gave it to a body shop to do some tinkering..that stupid bugger did it bad and fogot to fix bolts on front mounts as well..I didn't see it unfortunately.due to that my front chassis got cracks as below...I have to tinker again..but I can't do it now due to financial issues..I have to run few months with this issue..so I need your support..what will be the cheapest way of fixing these cracks..is it repairable??
thanks,
indi
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67rustavenger Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015 Posts: 9772 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 9:37 am Post subject: Re: Front chassis cracks |
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Indi,
Where are these cracks located. The pics look somewhat like they are located on the inner fender wells.
Perhaps you can post a couple more. With the camera a little further away from the cracked area.
If the cracks are on the tunnel, near the frame head. This could be a real issue that needs addressing right away.
If it's in the fender wells. You can monitor the cracks until funds come available for a proper repair. But be aware that the body strength can be compromised. _________________ I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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mukluk Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2012 Posts: 7028 Location: Clyde, TX
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 10:14 am Post subject: Re: Front chassis cracks |
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I really do hope that's not where I think it is. Those pictures appear to be the inside of the tunnel behind the emergency brake -- the two nutplates located on the pinched-in area are for the front seatbelts. That would mean not only is there a very sizeable hole in the tunnel's bottom plate, but also that the tunnel is practically cracked in half in the middle of the car. _________________ 1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga" |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9967 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 10:42 am Post subject: Re: Front chassis cracks |
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WOW! Never seen a crack like that on the tunnel! I hope I am seeing this wrong.
Can you take 2 giant steps back and give some perspective of the area? _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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Indikaper Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2018 Posts: 15
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 9:39 pm Post subject: Re: Front chassis cracks |
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Thanks guys.. for all the replies...
@67rustavenger
Your second guess is right. Those cracks are on the tunnel near frame head. Bottom plate is not available due to rust. That’s why i can get a picture..i took it underneath. How can i repair it? is it repairable?
@mukluk
This is not the area of hand brake brother. This is right below the firewall..
@VW_Jimbo
There is nothing WOW feeling for me.. ...looks huge trouble brother..i wonder nobody post such thing earlier in this forum..i have driven the car around 40mph without two front mount bolts. Likely i am alive i can't still believe how i survived with such crack. Miracle.. isn’t it?
Thanks,
indi |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9967 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 10:21 pm Post subject: Re: Front chassis cracks |
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Spelled it wrong. My brain is great numerically, but linguistically is a challenge. I meant WHOA!!!!
So, with that....
WHOA!!!!!
The Frame head, comes as a complete assembly. As long as you jig it correctly, you can cut the old one off and weld a new one in.
It’s not an easy job, but it is doable, if you have the brain and the tools! _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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scrivyscriv Samba Electrician
Joined: October 04, 2011 Posts: 2922 Location: Memphis
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 11:07 pm Post subject: Re: Front chassis cracks |
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There was a thread here a few months back with similar cracks but I can't recall the details. Stop drill the ends, grind the cracks out the thickness of a cutoff wheel, and weld it in several passes with cooling time in between.
The structure there is big and complex enough that you shouldn't see too much metal movement but welding will induce stress and will move the metal around some - it is just sheet metal after all. A stress relieving technique is to weld some, then tap the area with a body hammer to slightly relax the metal back down, and blow it off with air to cool it. _________________ Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help. |
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Indikaper Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2018 Posts: 15
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 11:33 pm Post subject: Re: Front chassis cracks |
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VW_Jimbo wrote: |
Spelled it wrong. My brain is great numerically, but linguistically is a challenge. I meant WHOA!!!!
So, with that....
WHOA!!!!!
The Frame head, comes as a complete assembly. As long as you jig it correctly, you can cut the old one off and weld a new one in.
It’s not an easy job, but it is doable, if you have the brain and the tools! |
Thanks VW__Jimbo for your advice...
Just kidding i got your feeling.. lol
Actually this is not frame head..it is on tunnel..we are not having that comfort .In US or eurpe i know there are plenty of places for new items as well as doner chassis..i am in the country called Sri Lanka..and less parts we have.. |
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Indikaper Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2018 Posts: 15
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2021 12:15 am Post subject: Re: Front chassis cracks |
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scrivyscriv wrote: |
There was a thread here a few months back with similar cracks but I can't recall the details. Stop drill the ends, grind the cracks out the thickness of a cutoff wheel, and weld it in several passes with cooling time in between.
The structure there is big and complex enough that you shouldn't see too much metal movement but welding will induce stress and will move the metal around some - it is just sheet metal after all. A stress relieving technique is to weld some, then tap the area with a body hammer to slightly relax the metal back down, and blow it off with air to cool it. |
Thanks scrivyscriv for the instruction,
Unfortunatley i am not having either welding plants or welding capability to do so.anyhow i think i should have MIG welder to do that..therefore i have to get support from an expert..what about attaching round piece of metal along the crack area and weld it to tunnel both sides..? thanks |
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Busstom Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014 Posts: 3853 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2021 12:24 am Post subject: Re: Front chassis cracks |
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scrivyscriv wrote: |
There was a thread here a few months back with similar cracks but I can't recall the details. |
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9584785&highlight=#9584785
Indi, I was going to say that, in your case, it's probably better to scrap it and get a donor pan, but it sounds like you've already considered your options. From the pics, it looks like there are some significant rust issues, and if so, that may be part of the problem if it's getting weaker in some areas. Best of luck no matter how you decide to handle it. |
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Indikaper Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2018 Posts: 15
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2021 10:26 pm Post subject: Re: Front chassis cracks |
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Busstom wrote: |
scrivyscriv wrote: |
There was a thread here a few months back with similar cracks but I can't recall the details. |
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9584785&highlight=#9584785
Indi, I was going to say that, in your case, it's probably better to scrap it and get a donor pan, but it sounds like you've already considered your options. From the pics, it looks like there are some significant rust issues, and if so, that may be part of the problem if it's getting weaker in some areas. Best of luck no matter how you decide to handle it. |
Thanks buddy..due to the lack of resources available in my country..i gonna go for a weld repair..anyway i hope i have to seperate pan and body first..will see..do you know what is the thickness of metal in the chassis. Specially tunnel,head,side panel..etc...? Thx |
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ashman40 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007 Posts: 15987 Location: North Florida, USA
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Posted: Tue May 04, 2021 6:29 am Post subject: Re: Front chassis cracks |
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Any chance that is some type of undercoating that has flaked/cracked? Can you actually see light coming thru the other side? _________________ AshMan40
---------------------------
'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!} |
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Indikaper Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2018 Posts: 15
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2021 1:32 am Post subject: Re: Front chassis cracks |
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here is what welder did as temporarily solution..any idea? is this workable? since it is 17$ work.. |
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