Aircooled VW South Africa

I have a 1968 Bettle.

My mechanic found a cracked rear axle joint (not sure if I'm identifying it correctly). You'll see it in the attached photo, where I highlighted it with a red circle. He says that he can't find the part, and it's dangerous, that if the other side cracks too, the back of the car will fall out? Is this even true?

He said it could be welded by someone with special equipment, they'll need to heat up the whole part because it is cast iron.

I wanted to get your opinion on what can be done about this.

These parts normally do not take too much strain, unless you live on a potholed sand road, or speed over speed bumps.

I would take the car to a industrial welding shop, let them weld it and fit a strengthening web in just to be sure.

As it had taken a hard knock, I would, when welded, check the wheel alignment.

Good luck

Herman

Do you know of a industrial welding shop in Pretoria-Joburg?

Also, will the whole back of the car fall off if the other side breaks?

Do not know a welder in your area, but should you Google it, you should find plenty.

This I have never heard of, and I am sure should it be a common thing it would be in the history books by now.

And should it be a new thing, the forums would be humming by now, so I am sure you should be safe, but weld it anyway, just to make sure the car stays in a strait line.

And it will calm your nerves........

But you may want to go to one of the many beetle scrap yards in Pretoria, and get a good 2nd hand section.
Not too much work to replace.

Herman