Just get the spring plate kit from GoWesty and weld it in. 

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23662&category_id=&category_parent_id=

Problem solved. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Neil N
Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2015 2:11 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Rear Trailing Arm Replacement Fun!

Hi all.

Ya. It's rusty.  (1981 Westy, well over 400K KM's on body)

pics: https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/1981TrailingArmReplacement

It's been patch welded twice now.

i imagine the spring wasn't in immediate danger of slipping out but the post on top of the trailing arm was only holding to arm by ~ 20% of it's material.

Neil.

--
Neil n

Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>

1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>

1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>

Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>