cracks in my thing....

mstatedog · Post by **mstatedog** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:08 pm

I got around to removing the emergency brake handle to repaint and noticed that there were lots of washers stacked up to take up the slack in each cable. Upon further investigation, I noticed the handle bracket had been rewelded to the tunnel....a hair further back....the reason for the washers. I then noticed a crack in each corner of the hole that bracket sits above...and also that there were cracks in the same place on the repad or reinforcement ring inside the tunnel around this opening. Also, I noticed that someone had cut part of the top reinforcement and bent it down....apparently to be able to replace the cables easier.....has anyone noticed cracks like this in their thing....has anyone ever repaired cracks like this.....should I just grind and chase them down, weld up and reweld the bent down upper support? Any suggestions?

see photo links:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_ ... c_id=71318

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_ ... c_id=71319

thanks,

the dog

Al Capulco · Post by **Al Capulco** » Sat May 01, 2004 7:22 pm

Dog, I think that type of cracking is quite common, mine looks the same way. When I get time, I plan on replacing the entire bracket with a donor from a late model bug that I found in the junk yard. I have stress cracks all over the body. I think you have the right idea about opening the crack, I saw that done in one of the VW mags. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

74 Thing · Post by **74 Thing** » Sun May 02, 2004 9:18 pm

That looks better then mine. The inside panel that is welded underneath the tunnel and has the tang on it to engage the E-brake has broken loose on one side and no longer engages and the parts underneath the heater controls has also cracked and broken away. Any suggestion on getting a replacement piece for this or how to get it out of a donor car and install it in the tunnel of my car? I wish the previos owners weren't so hard on the ebrake!!!

radioman · Post by **radioman** » Sat May 08, 2004 5:36 pm

My E brake is the same way. I replaced the cables thinking , wrongly, that they were stretched. E brake handle still rises beyon normal but e brake seems to work fine. Tang and associated stops at the handle and tunnel are badly worn (cracked) but in position. I have jury-rigged this area (tang) to get the ebrake to work but surely there is a fix somehere for this situation.

lastsafari · Post by **lastsafari** » Fri May 14, 2004 10:50 am

Deep cracks on each corner of the e brake oppening are very common in Things and Safaris from 1973 to 1980 depending only in how rough you drive and how many miles you have put in your car. Very seldom you find a car with no cracks showing only good care or low milage, or the car being a pre 73 Safari or 181. Starting in 73 Things and Safaris were assambled with "left over" sheet metal from Bug´s or Bus´production lines. Since Things have an extra stress due to being a convertible then the sides under the doors started loosing stifness and living all the rigidity to the floor tunnel.
Just sand the cracks and re weld, and take it easy when offroading.