Club 80-90 Forums

So, after many years of sailing through MOTs the rust has finally come.

Here's the news.

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
  
• Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
  
• Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill by suspension swinging arm front outer mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))
  
• Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner wheel arch by suspension swinging arm outer mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))
  
• Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))
  
• Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))
  
• Nearside Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))
  
• Offside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))
  
• Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))
  
• Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))
  

I've bought replacement suspension arms and am looking for the springs.

Given that I'm going to have to go through some major works here I wanted to ask some advice. If I'm going to have to replace the springs, should I just do a full set and should I also do the shocks too? I've owned the van for 8 years and it's nearing 38 years old. No idea when any of the suspension parts were last replaced.
 

Ive got original front and rear Sachs shocks and front springs only for sale. All in excellent working order.
Changed for minus 30mm springs and a set of dampers came with them. So swapped out the lot. A pal bought the rear springs, though.
Cheap as chips at 50 quid.

viewtopic.php?t=178616

Cheers Stu,

I panic bought the parts after posting.

Struggling with getting a garage nearby. Anyone know of a mobile mechanic in the North London / Hertfordshire neck of the woods?

 

Okay and good luck.
As for a mobile mechanic; welding new rear mounts and fitting new rear suspensions arms is likely an 'in house' job instead of mobile. It can be done on a driveway. Depends what standard you require.

Yeah, got my head around the job via James' video.

https://vwt25.blog/2018/10/30/trailing- ... placement/

Just really need a hand by someone who can weld, has a bit of mobile kit.

The real worry is what else I uncover when stripping it down.

Spring and trailing arm replacement is a simple part swap, but cutting out and replacing the mount is a different matter entirely. The Mount ties into pretty serious chassis structures. I would see what needs repairing there before buying any parts. There is adjustment built into the mount holes, but they still need to be welded in fairly accurately. 

Thanks, yes that 's the real job at hand!

Any pictures of the welding areas ?