I had to eventually repair both sides on the front on my PV. But it was clear that rust was to blame. One side tore out after about a year of... 'spirited' driving. The other one lasted about 8 years. I think I have some pics of it somewhere...




Rust *just might* have been a very slight factor in that failure...

Please excuse my *horrible* welding. I'm not a good welder, and that was upside down in a cramped space, tacking to rotten grungy sheetmetal. I cut off most of the worthless metal, wire-wheeled what was left until shiny. But still, migging upside down, and sticking a thick solid chunk of steel to thin(ner than normal) sheetmetal isn't easy for me.

My first patch has held a long time, the second one has too.

When I put my rear IPD sway in, the left side tore out with in a week. I reinforced that with a diagonal welded in strut (under the rear seat), then the second one tore out a week later, so I did the same patch on it. Those have held for 10 years since.
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'63 PV544 rat rod, '93 Classic #1141 245 (now w/16V turbo)