Rear end repairs are more
straightforward because of the way
the panels are made and how they
are fitted to the vehicle. On this bus
we have had to repair major accident
damage from a rear end collision and
the D pillars have had to be remade
and aligned before any rear panel
fitment can start. Building from the
rear forward has the advantage of
being able to measure the openers
as you go. At the rear you have to
start with the rear hatch aperture
diagonally measuring it and moving
it into square as needed, sometimes
more brutally than you want to, using
a portable hydraulic ram. The hatch
needs to be mounted and adjusted on
the hinges with an even gap along the
top and then moved on the hinges to
- Rear is now
square with fitted
corner panels - Lining up
corners, tailgate and
engine lid mount
panel
get it level with the quarter panels,
engine lid mount panel, valance and
engine lid follow on. When all the
aforementioned panels are screwed
in place and line up with good gaps
you can remove the self-tappers and
start the welding. The rear corners
have reinforced triangle panels that
are used to both connect and space
them on the rear chassis legs before
the engine trays and battery trays
are fitted.
All in all, a very busy and
productive month and even fitted in
a visit to the Volksworld show where
we had our young apprentices
squareback on show.- Factory
measurements
guide, courtesy VW
Germany, essential
in getting things
fitted exactly right
1113THIS MONTH IN THE Wwww.volkswagencamper.co.ukORKSHOP 75
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