Trailing arm corrosion

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 12 Jul 2007, 22:25

OK, people - tell me how it is. My off side trailing arm looks like this with a rusty hole just appeared. It's not about to break up catastrophically is it?
[IMG:400:533]http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k260/ ... ffside.jpg[/img]
I'm assuming I need to replace it - cos trying to patch weld to rusty/weak stuff is pointless?
Is this a straight "unbolt everything, transfer the bits and bolt the replacement back on." Any tricky bits? Other than rusted on everything and the big nut with big torque...

Post by **manxman** » 12 Jul 2007, 22:46

the nut on the end of the bolt you can just see in the pic will probably come off ok with a windy gun but getting the bolt out may be a problem, I just stripped a syncro and ended up cutting the bracket off both sides as the bolt was seized solid in the bushes.

Post by **Fritz** » 12 Jul 2007, 22:48

That is correct a swap job is required when thay get to that stage, I'd be buying spare mounting bolts as the origional ones can become totally siezed.
I had to used an air saw to cut the ones off of our old air cooled van,,,,,,, New ones are still available from VW and work out at about 3 quid a piece with washers/nuts etc.

While you have it all in bits it would be rude not to repack the CV on that side,,,,,,other than that set aside a good clear day to do the job just incase you run into difficulties.....

Regards,

Fritz,,,,,,,,,,
PS, I mean cut the bolt NOT the bracket as suggested above.

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 12 Jul 2007, 22:57

Thanks for that guys - points all taken re rusty stuff as I thought.
But my existing one is not about to break is it? There's still lots of hopefully good steel there I'm thinking and I haven't got the time to source a replacement and change it over before our hols...

Post by **Fritz** » 12 Jul 2007, 23:07

No it isn't going to fall off in any sort of dramatic way it just looks worse than it is.........

Regards

Fritz,,,,,,

Post by **manxman** » 12 Jul 2007, 23:07

doubt anyone will promise you that it wont brake, you could weld a patch on as a temp fix, if you wrap it up the sides the metal should still be thick there for welding and go well forward and back from the corroded bit,

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 13 Jul 2007, 07:53

Thanks again for that - I'll start to seek out a replacement, so the last question is: are all models and years the same or were there any changes? Syncro different?

Post by **jason k** » 13 Jul 2007, 15:42

i believe all the same bar syncros

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 13 Jul 2007, 17:22

(14") syncros the same I thought? Good idea to replace, it certainly wont pass an MOT even welded.

Post by **famous phil** » 13 Jul 2007, 22:39

just thought someone should add that your no longer aloud to weld suspension parts ,,,,

Post by **Ye Olde Syncrospares** » 14 Jul 2007, 07:55

got lots of rear arms here,ta cj.

Post by **billy739** » 16 Jul 2007, 07:51

if your no longer to weld suspension arms hows that going to effect specially made syncro arms(that peeps on here are making) or arms modified to take larger wheels?

suspension arms(rears) are welded at the factory so shouldnt apply to these.

Post by **Ye Olde Syncrospares** » 16 Jul 2007, 08:33

maybe you shouldnt be welding them either

.