| Author |
Message |
Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10497
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
 Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 11:34 pm Post subject: REALLY Worn Radius Arm Bushings! FIXED/PICS |
 |
|
Hi all.
Pulled apart more on the front end. I'm rebuilding most of it, and am replacing calipers, wheel bearings, etc. Found this shite-o-la:
Bushings so worn, this happened: (sleeve wore through to arm):
which caused this hole in frame to oval due to arm rubbing (and due to corrosion too):
Likely mostly the PO's fault  but, well, time to practice my MIG technique!
Point is, the bushings were cracking when I got it ~2.5 years ago/25K km's ago. If yours are cracked, consider replacing them. Just make sure you don't snap off nuts that hold radius arm on! (don't ask..... and this is in regards to the old style front end)
If I had attended to them then, I *might* not have had to fix the hole. (though back then, if the hole was f'd up, I would have had to pay someone to do it). Still, I'm happy that I stand a chance to fix this hole. I sure am learning a lot running this rig! 
Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)
1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN
Last edited by Vanagon Nut on Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:57 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
GrindGarage
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2008
Posts: 710
Location: Ocean City, NJ
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
Oh no! Guess time for me to order them as well. Kinda funny I was under the van checking them out the other day. My drivers side is all cracked and dry rotted and the passanger just looked old. Did a noise or change of alignment while braking cause you to replace them?
_________________
-cliff
91 Vanagon AUTO
97 Single Port EJ22 all smallcar.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10497
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| GrindGarage wrote: |
| Oh no! Guess time for me to order them as well. Kinda funny I was under the van checking them out the other day. My drivers side is all cracked and dry rotted and the passanger just looked old. Did a noise or change of alignment while braking cause you to replace them? |
Well, there was a mysterious intermittent "clunk" when turning the steering. Like when paralell parking. I thought it was coming from the transfer gear box (steering) but possibly it was coming from this part. My braking was ok, but during a panic stop, the rear would swing out. Possibly this was due to a fetid looking caliper on the passenger side (see my other recent post)
btw, wasn't trying to alarm anyone. Just a reminder.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)
1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10497
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Here's a page I threw up with some pics/notes of the repair I did. UNtested at this point, but should hold up.
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/radiusarmholerepair
Hope that helps someone else. I anticipate that the "back fill" weld will hold.
Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)
1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
