Dave,

You will need to replace the trailing arm.  Don't forget to look at the
other side as well.

The bigger concern for me would be - what made it fail in the first place?
If it's due to rust or corrosion (due to salt, if you are in the "snow"
belt) I would want to put the van on a rack and fully inspect the underside
for more issues, including the front suspension.

Don in Reidsville, NC
1987 Vanagon GL Syncro
----- Original Message -----
From: "Data Services" <dataservices@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Mon 27 September 2004 22:56
Subject: rear suspension help

Hi Volks'
    Duh, I pulled out the Bentley, and the broken part is the trailing arm.
Broken close to the outer bracket.
    My questions about how to fix/replace, and putting on a ramp truck still
stand though.
    I've never seen one of these break before other than on an off road or
dune buggy type vehicle.

Dave B.
83.5 Tiico Westy
83.5 WBX Westy