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Broken Spot Welds
Yellow Booger - September 9th, 2002 at 08:52 AM

Hi,

I was trying to install an engine cage onto the yellow booger baja bug yesterday, and noticed that the left rear inner gaurd has separated from the firewall panel, it looks as though the spot welds have broken for about 40cm or so. Think it probably happened during a rear end crash when it had a rear end on it. does anyone have suggestions for the best way to fix it?

Stephen


decked dubby - September 9th, 2002 at 09:32 AM

Hi Stephen,

Mate, best way is to lever or seperate apart both panels, then run a drill through the top panel, drilling out spot weld, probably about a 6mm drill bit should do, but do not drill lower panel. Once this is done clamp both panels together and plug up the hole with a mig weld. This is how new panels are welded if no spot welder is available. Works a treat. If you cannot understand this, i will post a diagram if you like.

Damien.:thumb


Yellow Booger - September 9th, 2002 at 12:15 PM

Thanks Damien,

That makes heaps of sense, I was a bit unsure about how I would follow the welds around, but separating the panel will make it a bit easier. Hopefully I can weld it up without burning too many big holes in it.


decked dubby - September 9th, 2002 at 12:57 PM

Let me know if you need any more info.

Damien.:)


Baja Wes - September 9th, 2002 at 01:13 PM

Baja's seperate there from general abuse. I fixed mine by welding it from inside the car. Be sure to removed all the interior and sound deadening in the area, and same applies for deadening on the outside of the fire wall. It is all very flammable.

Then check where the engine wires are, they travel through the left rear wheel area. Once you are sure flammable stuff is out the way just weld it together.