Thought I had a patch to weld, then when cleaning the beam up, I found these holes. Is this a dead beam? The drivers side is fine. Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
This is what I did over the last two days... I am no way the best welder in the world but hopefully it will be OK for the MOT and I will get it swapped out this winter. Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
Here are the burn marks on my arm after molten metal went through three layers of clothing. Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
Depending on MOT station a welded front beam is a fail ....unless you can't see it's been welded ...it's a major structural part and unless done properly is a bad idea IMHO
It was welded before and my local MOT place has passed it two years in a row. Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
Just out of curiosity, where would I get a decent beam from? My bus is slightly lowered, so it would need to be adjustable. VWH, coolairvw? (They look the same) Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
Smack the beam with a ball peen hammer around the obvious rust to show up all the paper-thin metal that will just blow out when you weld it. I believe VWH has/had a stock of original beams all nicely painted up, and FBIVW seem to have a pile of American beams. I bought one off somebody on eBay and it turned out to be exactly as rusty as the one on my bus.
^WHS - tis true was looking at them earlier this evening: https://www.vwheritage.com/211401061n-axle-beam-t2-used-painted-black-71
Welding went quite well for an amateur. The split in the top left, I stitched with weld as it was too narrow to plate, then I plated the two holes underneath. Quite a lot of rust fell out but I managed to grind back to some decent metal that did not blow holes when I welded it. The amount of internal rust worries me, so I may go for a replacement beam. Hopefully the current one will be fine for a month or so. Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
How much extra cost is involved in getting one of those beams actually on the bus? It says they needs extra parts, such as bearings, bump stops etc. what does etc actually mean in this case? Also, is it a DIY job? I am going to look into replacing my beam as it has been welded up once. It passed its MOT fine this year but I know it has been welded in one spot.
These are my thoughts too. I could get one of these and it has everything https://www.vwheritage.com/ac401026-front-beam-adjustable-std-width-ball-joint-t2-68-79 Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
Schofields have these, WITH the roller bearings fitted. http://alanhschofield.com/ourparts/...le-Used-7079-No-Servo-Bracket-211401061M.html
