As always, very helpful info Dennis.
I'll be keeping the stock spring.

I'll see if I can save the plate. I bet it's ok. If it is,
with prep, paint, and tack welds at plate edge to arm,
it should hold fine.

On Saturday, January 24, 2015, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> That perch plate is only held down with a few spot welds. A pneumatic
> chisel will get it off in no time! Look under the main plate and see if
> things are in good shape. The GW fix is actually an upgrade as its plate is
> thick enough to actually provide some structure. Part of the decision
> depends on if you plan to replace the spring. The OEM spring has the small
> tails that rest inside those depressions which the lower damper (cushion)
> fits into. All aftermarket springs work best on a flat plate. If your
> replacing the springs than go all out and knock off those seats and replace
> them and make-get some flat dampers top and bottom.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> <javascript:;>] On Behalf Of Neil N
> Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2015 3:19 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <javascript:;>
> Subject: Re: Rear Trailing Arm Replacement Fun!
>
> Thanks again for that link Dennis.
>
> On the replacement arm, I'm seeing more rust than anticipated at perch
> plate.
> Image:  http://tinyurl.com/ozq3bqq
> top of perch plate looks ok. Image:
> http://tinyurl.com/n8xb7c9
>
> IF the rust hasn't progressed too far,
> would it be a waste of time to:
>
> remove perch plate, paint arm and plate bottom, tack weld plate back onto
> arm, paint as needed is this a waste of time?
>
> I'd tack weld the plate as that's what VW did, and, it would make future
> removal easier.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Neil.
>
> On 1/18/15, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com <javascript:;>> wrote:
>
> > http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23662&category_id=&categ
> > ory_parent_id=
> >
>
>
> --
> 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>
>

--
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>