Hi all.

*sigh*

Ready to go to Catherine Creek for Wet Westies Reunion:

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/ReadyToGO.jpg/ReadyToGO-full;init:.jpg

But the issue in the pic below was on my mind. Pulled over just before
the border to check it:

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/TrailingArmHole1.jpg/TrailingArmHole1-full;init:.jpg

While checking, I poked below. It now has little brothers:

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/TrailingArmHoles.jpg/TrailingArmHoles-full;init:.jpg

I did a LOT of work getting Jaco ready to travel, but couldn't see
driving it 2000 miles + this way. I know. It might have held, but it
was accelerating in it's growth.

Jake D had kindly warned me about the rust, which I dutifully kept an
eye on, but as I say, the hole opened up quickly over the last little
while. That's the part that scared me offa driving it very far/too
long.

F***.

Yah I'm whining but it just seems like a never ending "battle". It's
like I can't keep up. I know the job of R&R'ing the arms is not easy.
I swear. What's next? I feel like giving up. Anyhow....

So here's the thing:

Check out your rear trailing arms.

I AIN'T no expert and DON'T know how long a trailing arm in this
condition would be ok. But, I couldn't help but see in my minds eye,
all that weight and torque opening that hole up progressively faster
til it failed.

Not trying to scare anyone, but I can't imagine what it would be like
having that thing fail at the forward mount <shudder>.

End complaining. Kirk out.

Neil.

--
Neil Nicholson '81 JettaWesty "Jaco
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/