Bent, dented radius rod

[jacob.]

Hey Vanagon owners,

I've finished tearing apart my front end. Had several bolts snap and shear and refuse to come out. Ended up having to burn them out with a torch and redrill the holes. Tried drilling, beating, heating, nothing worked. Everything is now cleaned and painted and ready for reassembly. One problem: one of my radius rods is slightly bent and there is a large dent in the threads. See pictures below.

Question is: Can I reuse this? The dent seems like it's in a place where it wouldn't be in the way of making adjustments (I found it underneath the metal sleeve, nowhere near either of the nuts.) I talked to Chris at T3 and he said it was probably best to get another one, but I can't find one anywhere. Anybody know where I can get one of these, or anybody have an extra one lying around? Part # 251068.

You can see a slight bend here.

You can see the dent here.

This is the complete part.

Thanks for any help,
Jacob.
_________________

[Terry Kay]

I would replace it.

What do you think about that?
_________________
T.K.

[Gauche1968]

I can't imagine that nut getting past the damaged threads...
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1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy

[jacob.]

[djkeev]

I'm going to booed at and hissed at and ridiculed but.......

When restoring antiques that have NLA parts in them, you do what must be done to get them safely on the road.

The best would be new...... But that ain't happening.
Second best is quality used..... But apparently that ain't happening.
Third best is to remanufacture, repair and reuse.

Weld up the missing chunk, file it smooth and run the proper die over the repair cutting new and restoring the threads.

Using heat and whatever means you have, remove the bend from the rod as well.

You'll invest hours fixing this but once done properly it will be a 100% serviceable part.

We live in a "just buy a new one" society and Vanagon history clearly teaches us that new is NOT always better than OG.

Trouble is that the level of skill in America to make repairs like this is dwindling away quickly as the competent elders retire and die.

Just my opinion, but that's what I would do..... Oh wait! I'm one of the "competent" elders! 😳

Let the naysayers begin! 😂

Dave
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[jacob.]

[Christopher Schimke]

I agree, it could be repaired without too much fanfare. However, before going that route I would place a wanted ad in the classifieds here and contact a seller by the name of sleepyjoe. He always has vans he is parting out.
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[Terry Kay]

Dave,
You slipped a Terrence in there and got away with it.

If I suggested welding it up and running the appropriate die down the end of that rod, it always has been poo-poo'ed.

JB weld it, the usual blah, blah, blah.
And somehow the OP is a welder.
You better go to Vegas & get on the craps table.

That area is no big deal to lay a couple of beads on to repair the threads, unless there's something you ain't telling us.

A hidden, unknown issue.

You could have this knocked out in 45 minutes-- tops.
_________________
T.K.

[fxr]

I'd leave it alone - there's enough meat left. Just find a new sleeve to go over it, and don't leave it so long until next check.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[Terry Kay]

I know it isn't critical--how bout this:

Lets forget the cob jobbing and repair it right.

It's easy for you to say--slap it together--
Sure--why not?
It ain't your van or your ass.

Great---
_________________
T.K.

[djkeev]

[Sodo]

[pablum]

I agree with Mr. Sodo. I am neither a welder nor a metallurgist, but an interest in tool steel properties especially with respect to changes in temperature lead me to think the benefits of welding are strictly cosmetic, and the occult changes to the qualities of the steel from putting a fat bead in the divot will have a greater negative impact than restoring its outer appearance.

Craigslist is your friend. look for someone with a yard full of vanagons. They are out there. Maybe not in your city but nearby, or within the postman's reach.
_________________
The wise man learns from history, the fool from experience.
-
I see [a cat] in the street and i aim for the pest with my car. -- bluebus86

[syncrodoka]

That isn't a high demand replacement part so you are unlikely to find one listed for sale in the classifieds.
Have you replied to any of the ads in the classifieds found with a search term of parting?
Jason26, sleepyjoe and vwcultmember always seem to be parting out vans...
Have you called interstate used parts?

[fxr]

That part doesn't need to be threaded (as long as the inner nut is already on). It wore through because the sleeve around it wore through - because the outer bush wore through - all grinding against the big hole in the frame.

As long as new bushes and a new sleeve are fitted, it'll be fine. I'd use it as is if it were mine. The big hole in the frame might need some attention though, there are no pics of that so who knows.

Welding will change the strength in ways unknown to me - but I bet it'd weaken the tensile strength of that part.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[kalispell365]

[jacob.]

[jacob.]

[Sodo]

Neither here nor there, just more nerdy info.

That radius rod is a forging - it's a very strong unit, with longitudinal grain. It's strong like a tool. Those threads were rolled (not cut) for higher strength and resistance to fatigue cracking of this critical control component. Threads are very fine, for reasons of alignment adjustment, and fine threads have more resistance to turning (changing the adjustment settings). Highly unlikely there is a thread cutter die available anywhere, the tool would probably have to be custom-made.
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
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[Terry Kay]

Sodo,
What is the size & pitch on them threads on the end of that rod?
_________________
T.K.