Date:         Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:50:48 -0800
Reply-To:     Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Split Weld Seam
Comments: To: wet Westies <wetwesties@yahoogroups.com>, Syncro@yahoogroups.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Volks-

With more work still needing to be done on Blackbeard over the course of the
next couple of weeks, I've started . . . well, nit-picking.

I've already consulted the lists regarding the sound of air rushing into the
cab (and I'm about 99% sure that I've located the spot - and it's coming in
from the rubber seal around the windshield).
If that's all it is, easy enough - but I digress . . .

Now I've noticed that the weld seam directly below the driver's side
headlight seems to be split.
Honestly, I have no idea if it was this way prior to the accident because I
never had the bra off long enough (nor did I have any reason) to look that
closely.

I have a pic if anyone would be willing to take a look and offer any advice.

My questions-
1: Is this a simple Bondo / paint / forget about it sort of situation? Is
there anything else that can be done?
2: How common is this? (I'm guessing FAIRLY common, but want to confirm)
3: If YOU were a body shop that was taking in a Vanagon for repair work from
a front-end collision, wouldn't you automatically look at the weld seams in
the impacted area for exactly this reason?

I ask because I'm already taking it back in for some more work, including
additional paint, and if this is something that SHOULD have been caught and
remedied I want to address it ASAP.

There will be more questions in the days and weeks to come . . .  Oh yes,
there will be more!


Thanks for all of your help and support, again!

-Drew, Vegas
'90 GL "Blackbeard"


*P.S. *Put new tires on today!  Decided to go with Firestone FR380

http://www.bridgestonetire.com/tireselector/GlamourIndex_BS_EN.aspx?productID=1050