foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

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Just_Kitt
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foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by Just_Kitt »

Just re-doing my underseal round the wheel aches and came across some foam / sponge filling to bottom of the front pillars (both sides) of the van that I have never noticed before - its soaking wet on one side and I worry leaving it there will lead to some nasty rust! - anyone know why this is there (it looks original) and if there is any replacement advice to stop it gathering water and leading to rust?
GokVan: 1990 LHD, Pop-Top, Golf GTI 2.0L engine running duel Petrol and LPG.
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ZsZ
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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by ZsZ »

those sponges are part of the wind noise reduction kit
https://t3-infos.de/t3-infos_d.html#wgpaket" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can replece them with something more water resistant like closed-cell foam
Zoltan
1986 Multivan ex-Caravelle. Van since 2006, running mTDi 1Z since 2008 with Fiat Croma 1.9 TDid pump 2008-2019, custom pump since 2019
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itchyfeet
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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by itchyfeet »

Do you have a picture of where this is?
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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by mshaw1980 »

Get rid if I where you and just use a thick underseal as a noise reducer...as long as the spot where they are is solid metal and not crumbling rust.
1987 VW T25: Subaru EJ20 using RJES parts (If it was meant to go fast it wouldn't be brick shaped!)

Just_Kitt
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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by Just_Kitt »

As always you guys have answered a question that there is no trace of on the rest of the internet! - Noise reduction makes a lot of sense originally - however my dude sounds like a beast whiles driving any way with its engine conversion - not sure 2 little bits of foam are really gonna make any noticeable difference!!!

So long as they are not important for any other reson, thats cool. I'll rip them out and underseal the hell out of the area - luck for us the A pilla only has a bit of surface rust around the wet foam and is still nice and solid
GokVan: 1990 LHD, Pop-Top, Golf GTI 2.0L engine running duel Petrol and LPG.
Instagram: @Gok_Van

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itchyfeet
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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by itchyfeet »

Just_Kitt wrote:As always you guys have answered a question that there is no trace of on the rest of the internet!

Strickly speaking this is on the internet :lol:

https://t3-infos.de/t3-infos_d.html#wgpaket" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
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itchyfeet
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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by itchyfeet »

just had a look at both my vans and can't see this, perhaps it was a caravelle thing?

I assume you would see it here?

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1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
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slowcoach
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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by slowcoach »

There's a good thread or two on the samba about the a post foam. It's s good road noise deadener. Some closed cell foam used in packing, cut to size with a knife and jammed up does a good job. If you take out the indicator housings, you get top and bottom access :-)
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RogerT
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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by RogerT »

From that site...

Image


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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by RogerT »

Tried it myself and it made no difference... but then I have a JX...
Have you ever seen an unhappy fool?

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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by Just_Kitt »

RogerT wrote:Tried it myself and it made no difference... but then I have a JX...


Thanks for the advice and pic - I think I might go for a bit of a road trip first and see If I can live with the noise before I add any new foam in there! - Mine defiantly had the full noise proofing package installed looking at the T3-infos site, but I can't say I would have ever called it a 'low road noise' bus!
GokVan: 1990 LHD, Pop-Top, Golf GTI 2.0L engine running duel Petrol and LPG.
Instagram: @Gok_Van

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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by RogerT »

:rofl
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Titus A Duxass
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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by Titus A Duxass »

I have a new body on my bus and I don't think these are fitted.
I do have a new tin of building foam though.........

Seriously though, has anybody retro-fitted the rubber seals that go between the door and the A column?
I have a pair in the barn but the body is different, it does not have the two raised areas for two of the feet.
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ZsZ
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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by ZsZ »

Titus A Duxass wrote:I have a new body on my bus and I don't think these are fitted.
I do have a new tin of building foam though.........

Seriously though, has anybody retro-fitted the rubber seals that go between the door and the A column?
I have a pair in the barn but the body is different, it does not have the two raised areas for two of the feet.
Yes I did it.
you can bend those feet a bit and use a long screwdriver to screw the self tapers in.
Zoltan
1986 Multivan ex-Caravelle. Van since 2006, running mTDi 1Z since 2008 with Fiat Croma 1.9 TDid pump 2008-2019, custom pump since 2019
5spd custom box 4.57 diff + 0.74 5th

Just_Kitt
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Re: foam / sponge in bottom of front A pillar ?

Post by Just_Kitt »

Hello All,

Bit of an update - after a trip to Scotland and back, not having the foam was definitely noticeable, especially at speeds over 60! I have now filled the gaps with plastic packing foam - fingers crossed this wont hold water like the old stuff!

Image
Image
GokVan: 1990 LHD, Pop-Top, Golf GTI 2.0L engine running duel Petrol and LPG.
Instagram: @Gok_Van

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