The VW bug’s rear strut-link alignment continues. I now have the paneling clamped in place to hold the link straight side to side and front to back. I will need to insure that the wheels and tires are perfectly vertical before final alignment.
Alignment of the VW bug rear strut cross-link is proving to be trickier than first thought. After spending so much time lining up the front strut link, I will use it’s alignment to help with the rear. I have purchased a cheap piece of paneling from the hardware store and will use the square factory edges to line up the rear strut link with the front. It is almost exactly 8 ft. from the front to the rear.
Both of the VW bug’s rear strutlink-to-frame connectors are now finished. I drilled five holes in them to increase the weld bold. I will now refit and align them before tacking them on.
Now that I have my angle iron strut-to-frame connectors cleaned up, I can test fit them to see how everything is going to line up. I will be drilling holes through the weld surfaces to increase the weld penetration and increase the bond. first I need to really get it all lined up perfectly.
I used my foam board templates to trace the profiles of both the 2″ and the 3″ sides to my steel angles. These angles will connect the upper VW bug strut link member to the lower plate frames on both sides. Once aligned I will weld them on to get my rolling chassis.
With the VW bug rear strut link height determined, I need to create framing members to connect the link to the main frame plates. I am using the foam board again to create these members. I am using a 3″ and a 2″ strip of the foam board and cutting them to fit. I will be making the frame connector out of a piece of 3″x2″x3/16″ steel angle. Both members should be exactly the same only mirror images of each other.
After compressing the rear end to ride height, I measured the distance from the plate frame to the strut link cross-member. This distance gives me my rear ride height. I will continue to adjust the cross member before attaching it to the frame.
With the VW bug’s main front suspension members in place, it is now time to refocus on the rear. I have to develop a means to bolt down and remove the MR2 rear struts. I drilled out a large hex head socket to be able to insert a screw driver to keep the strut from turning while tightening the nut. Once I finish mounting the rear strut cross-link to the frame I can get a rolling chassis.
The VW bug’s front suspension members have now been tack welded into place and everything is aligned perfectly. I will need to finish welding everything before I can put the springs back on. Once the rear suspension has been located I can work towards a rolling chassis.
After determining how I was going to suppot the VW bug’s front suspension framing, I constructed a foam mock-up of my 1×1 inch steel tubing. I then traced my markings onto the steel tubing and cut them out. I again cut them a bit long and slowly ground them down to fit. They fit nicely and I will soon tack them in place. I first need to weld all the joints that will be behind these new members.