Date:         Mon, 3 Jun 2002 14:53:57 -0700
Reply-To:     Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Subject:      Tiico Concern regarding bending frame rail
Comments: To: dkcomet@yahoo.com, Gary Stearns <gstearns@optonline.net>,
          Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>,
          Ryan Alfonso <cyranoleo@yahoo.com>, Sean B <vgonman@earthlink.net>,
          selten2@attbi.com, steve_hoge@who.net, Willolyn99@aol.com,
          wet westys <wetwesties@onelist.com>
Comments: cc: vwcafe@volkscafe.com, syncro@yahoogroups.com
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Hi there,
a few of us have noticed that the left engine cradle is causing the
vanagon frame rail to bend. This is seen at the rear of the cradle where
it is bolted to the bus.  This situation has been documented recently by
two other listees.

This is a potentially dangers sitation espicially if this carrier breaks!

What is happening is the mass of the engine (and any force from bumps in
the road, etc) is being transferred to the joint at the rear of the
engine cradle, resulting in torque on the frame rail and subsequently
bending the frame rail. I encourage you to look at this for yourself.

There exists a few solutions. One is to replace the complete left side
engine cradle with a solid-jointed variety (vw part #251 199 203 E,
about 200$) or to weld your TiiCo supplied joint solid. Having a solid
connection instead of the pivotable joint will transfer the load from a
torque to a sheer, like the Right Hand Engine cradle is setup.

Peter B. in the TiiCo customer service department has be contacted and is
on top of this situation.

In the mean time, i am asking that everybody with a TiiCo engine please
look at their left (driver's side) rear (back of the bus) engine cradle
where it attaches to the bus and see if it is bent. Upon installation,
which i have pictures to prove, that engine cradle bracket was verticle,
which it is obviously not now.  If possible, snap a photo and email it to
me so i bundle them and send them to the customer service dept. of TiiCo.

Note that welding or replacing your engine carrier may (will?) void the 12
month warranty.

I will get back to everybody once i hear about a solution to this problem
from TiiCo.

Thanks
matthew
86 syncro westy tiico

ps, please excuse the cross postings

Matthew Pollard          "Racing with the wind and flirting with death
Dept. Of Chemistry        So have a cup of coffee and catch your breath"
University of Idaho
www.uidaho.edu/~poll7356