1974 914 - Tig welding and Metalshaping saved it! Back on the road! Options

[djway]

Redux reactions are so fun to repair.
Looking good.

[Root_Werks]

You've been busy! Nice progress and work. Fun thread to follow.

[Superhawk996]

Really nice work. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

Judging by pictures, I don't suspect your work space is heated. Impressed that you're still moving along during these winter months. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[Dion]

That’s looking really nice Antione. What a tremendous amount of work you’ve done. Impressive mate. Going to be one solid 914 chassis.
Keep it coming!

[TRS63]

Thanks a lot guys, support is really appreciated ans help getting things moving!!

@Superhawk996 : you're right, no possible heating, so it is currently 0°C in the shop (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) but motivation helps against the cold temperatures ! (And I bring home parts for example to paint).

Next update!

I welded the repair part on the engine mount, now it's ready to be put back on
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639129981.1.jpg)

Then I started the adjustment on the inner long. First I put a lot of thoughts on were to make the connection and here was the best place I think, so let's cut:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639129981.2.jpg)

And adjust:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639129982.3.jpg)

I made a lot of trial mounting, checking with all the elements,..Like here:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639129982.4.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639129982.5.jpg)

and now I am ready to weld it. I will weld it everywhere but to the wheel-well/outer long, to gain back some stability, then change the wheel well/outer long with the replacement part I already bought and I think it will be ok.
I ordered a new inner suspension console, but made the adjustment with the (rusted through) original one for the time being. One last check with the new one will take place before welding. I was happy to see everything going right back in with my jig and measurement being ok (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
I am searching for a replacement outer suspension console, hope to find one or I will have to repair mine, which might be hard..

Last pictures, preparation for future welding done with welding primer where it will be welded in the future and rust protection paint everywhere else :
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639129983.6.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639129983.7.jpg)

Bests

Antoine

[mate914]

Looks good. On the bright side the metal is less likely to warp due to 0C----32F when welding....
Matt

[TRS63]

Looks good. On the bright side the metal is less likely to warp due to 0C----32F when welding....
Matt

I love this positive way of thinking (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Antoine

[wonkipop]

i know who to fly out to australia to fix 914s.
nice work.

i forgot to ask you, do you know where your car was sold new. which state?

keep at it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[TRS63]

Thanks a lot for the nice words !! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I sadly do not know anything about its life in the US, the first documents I have are from its life in the UK.. and nothing in the VIN List before me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Antoine

[TRS63]

Again a couple hours of work on the 914 this week!
First I received a small order:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639646679.1.jpg)

This suspension console looks a bit better :
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639646680.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639646681.3.jpg)

Then it was time for one last adjustment, check..and to get the welder out! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)
Couple of welding points:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639646681.4.jpg)

One last check:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639646681.5.jpg)

And everything is welded: (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639646681.6.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639646682.7.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639646682.8.jpg)

I did not grind so much to make sure no material thickness is removed. I will be planishing the weld and metal finishing it a bit more when the outer wheel-well/long reinforcement will be out. And then that will go on:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639646682.9.jpg)

But before that I will weld back the engine mount next week, and also the inner suspension console. For that one I need your help/advice!
The new replacement part has a long bottom part that goes further than the lip between outer and inner long. That is the length:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639646683.10.jpg)

And the lip is approximatively where my finger is:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639646684.11.jpg)

Should I remove the lip there and the suspension console goes further on the outside connecting with the outer suspension console or it has to be cut to join the outer console suspension exactly where the lip is ? That is a really important information to me, please tell me if my question is not clear! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Thanks

Antoine

[Dion]

Hey Antione, looking great. I’m not quite sure what your asking, but here is my piece just prior to welding up. Not a new piece, was donated to me off a clean tub.

[Dion]

Back of piece.

[Superhawk996]

Antione

When I did a mock-up of my part the suspension console would not fit properly to the frame rail (longitudinal).

I had to trim a potion of it circled in yellow to allow the rest of the part to fit properly to the longitudial in the engine compartment.

You should not have to trim more than 4-5 mm off this stamping flange to get it to fit properly. You can see the shinny metal in the circle that I trimmed to make it fit.



I hope to get around to welding my suspension console inner into the proper postion during the upcoming Christmas holiday period.

For what it is worth I am not planning on welding my console into postion until I can get the other 3 corners of my suspension installed so that I can verify wheelbase, track width, and appropriate range of toe, and camber before I do final welding of that inner suspension console.

[TRS63]

Thanks a lot guys for pour feedbacks! I tried to draw a bit the two versions I see :
1) trimming my part to fit on the inner long like that:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639786282.1.png)

2)trimming the lip between inner and outer long to fit like that and join the outer console, like that:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-24690-1639786283.2.png)

I think that number 1 is right but getting it confirmed would be good !

Thanks !

Antoine

[Superhawk996]

@TRS63

If you look at the other side, the OEM assembly left the downward standing flange of the inner longitudinal and the outer wheelhouse as shown in #1.



There are three "bow tie" type pieces (only two shown below) of heavier steel that serve to bridge over the downward facing flange and to tie the inner suspension console to the outer suspension console.



These heavy gauge "bow tie" pieces will provide far more structureal integrity to tie the inner suspension console to the outer suspension console than could be had by trimming the down standing flange and allowing the excess of the inner suspension console (maybe only about 1mm thick) to bridge the gap as would occur in #2.

Now the next question is where did I get these bow ties? @Mepstein donated them to me along with some other parts I ordered over a year ago. They are laser cut and about 3mm thick. They will need some OxyAcetylene heat to form them to fit. I don't know who made them. I know folks have been asking Restoration Design to make them but to date, no luck. I will be glad to do a paper tracing and send it to you via e-mail if you wish. Likewise, given your skill, you can create paper templates to the same effect off the car. That is what I was going to do before these pre-cut parts fell into my lap. PM me if need be.

[mepstein]

If you look at the other side, the OEM assembly left the downward standing flange of the inner longitudinal and the outer wheelhouse as shown in #1.



There are three "bow tie" type pieces (only two shown below) of heavier steel that serve to bridge over the downward facing flange and to tie the inner suspension console to the outer suspension console.



These heavy gauge "bow tie" pieces will provide far more structureal integrity to tie the inner suspension console to the outer suspension console than could be had by trimming the down standing flange and allowing the excess of the inner suspension console (maybe only about 1mm thick) to bridge the gap as would occur in #2.

Now the next question is where did I get these bow ties? @Mepstein donated them to me along with some other parts I ordered over a year ago. They are laser cut and about 3mm thick. I don't know who made them. I know folks have been asking Restoration Design to make them but to date, no luck. I will be glad to do a paper tracing and send it to you via e-mail if you wish. Likewise, given your skill, you can create paper templates to the same effect off the car. That is what I was going to do before these pre-cut parts fell into my lap. PM me if need be.

They came from 914rubber. Cary had drawn up the templates for them.

[Superhawk996]

They came from 914rubber. Cary had drawn up the templates for them.

What a terrible tragedy that Cary is no longer with the community. Apparently, his contribution lives on. That is awesome that 914Rubber makes them.

https://914rubber.com/trailing-arm-suspensi...t-set-by-cary-1

@Mepstein -- Thanks Mark - not only for the parts, but, for the information about where they came from that will help others.

[TRS63]

Awesome informations, Thiam forum really is fantastic, thanks to all of you for the help !
I will check if I can measure them on the other side or by measuring, otherwise I will come back to you ! thanks a lot!

Antoine

[Dion]

Antione, just for more info…here is what I was able to salvage when I did mine.
I removed and saved these “tie-ins” . Just to give you an idea of the shape. Phil explained pretty much spot on!
Carry on (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[TRS63]

Looks good, thanks for those extra pictures. As my outer console is also rusted through, I bought a used section including one that is supposed to be in good conditions and these tie ins should also be there..hopefully I can save them or use them as a template (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) let's see when it shows up!

Antoine