Replacing Top Hat Sections and other supports

paulandabbe · Feb 12, 2009

Please can I just check with someone that knows what they are doing with VW's that This is the correct way to replace the top hat and support sectons under the ribbed floor, do you drill out all the spot welds from above and replace supports which you can weld in through the drill holes afterwards, just thought i'd ask before I continue with the job tommorrow, thanks

67 BAY · Feb 13, 2009

If you're replacing full width, you'll need to remove long gear selector and its guide tube and put it back in when pieces are in place.

Steve

ricknpenny · Feb 13, 2009

I'm hoping this is the right thing to do, I've just drilled well over 300 spot welds out as the floor itself is solid and yet the top hat section just next to the front wheel arch needs replacing. It is mind numbingly boring drilling them out, but I just kept thinking how solid the bus will be once its all done and dusted. So in answer to your question, no I'm not sure if it's correct but at least you can know you're not alone..cheers

BJ1 · Feb 13, 2009

That's exactly how to do it chaps! Just make sure you turn the welder up enough to get good penetration in the plug welds when you stick the new cross sections and top hats on.

paulandabbe · Feb 14, 2009

ricknpenny said:
I'm hoping this is the right thing to do, I've just drilled well over 300 spot welds out as the floor itself is solid and yet the top hat section just next to the front wheel arch needs replacing. It is mind numbingly boring drilling them out, but I just kept thinking how solid the bus will be once its all done and dusted. So in answer to your question, no I'm not sure if it's correct but at least you can know you're not alone..cheers

I hope you never broke as many drill bits as me :wink: but you are right I keep thinking to its got to be solid afterwards, good luck with your project

paulandabbe · Feb 14, 2009

BJ1 said:
That's exactly how to do it chaps! Just make sure you turn the welder up enough to get good penetration in the plug welds when you stick the new cross sections and top hats on.

Excellent, thanks for this, I keep wondering 'hell is there a quicker easier way' but its all hopefully worth it in the long run, hope we get some more dry weather, i do want to enjoy the bus this summer and not be working on it till winter :wink:
Better get on with it :wink: