Folding chair broken

[flying banana]

Here's all 4 of the parts all failed and failing in the same spot

 

[Elly Swanson]

Mine broke in the same spot. Warranty swapped it. I believe you could get the part made out of aluminum to affect a permanent repair. Sure I saw this on the forum somewhere. Any small engineering company could make those parts on a lathe. We all want to keep the cali original that's why we get ripped off. If I was out of warranty I would look to getting some bits made to keep the original chairs. What about 3d printing?

Contact #BigTed on this forum or find him on facebook under Bigtedprintz. He's great at finding 3d print solutions for Cali problems. If you're a VIP member he'll give you discount as well.

 

[Mike & Ute]

Mine broke in the same spot. Warranty swapped it. I believe you could get the part made out of aluminum to affect a permanent repair. Sure I saw this on the forum somewhere. Any small engineering company could make those parts on a lathe. We all want to keep the cali original that's why we get ripped off. If I was out of warranty I would look to getting some bits made to keep the original chairs. What about 3d printing?

 

[Elly Swanson]

For 3d printing PM @Bigted. He’ll be happy to discuss your needs.

 

[Califorian]

Like others I can fully recommend the parts supplied by Domi. These are perfectly engineered and come complete with all the instructions, fastenings/bolts etc. We happened to be in Germany when ours failed and near Stuttgart where Domi lives, he’s a really nice genuine guy. The originals will go eventually and are a design/material fault.

 

[TripleBee]

Like others I can fully recommend the parts supplied by Domi. These are perfectly engineered and come complete with all the instructions, fastenings/bolts etc. We happened to be in Germany when ours failed and near Stuttgart where Domi lives, he’s a really nice genuine guy. The originals will go eventually and are a design/material fault.

Mine are still ok after 11 years. Where is the design fault?

 

[Califorian]

I think the pictures that flying banana posted show clearly the design / material fault. Mine were very similar. One joint failed completely and when I did the repair and also modified the other chair the remaining 3 joints were all well on their way to failure. Try taking yours apart and have a look!!!

 

[matt-k918]

I noticed the other day that one of my chairs has broken in the same place where the plastic insert goes into the front leg. I have a couple of questions
1. Can anyone comment on the longevity of their 3D printed replacements? I have the choice of printing or machining out of Aluminium. Printing is going to be cheaper and easier, but I don't want to go through all that only for it to break again at the same place.
2. Has anyone had the same parts in the rear legs break? I was thinking I'd replace all of the inserts in both chairs (8-parts), but if the rear ones never fail it may be wasted cost and effort.

Cheers
Matt

 

[kurienp]

I noticed the other day that one of my chairs has broken in the same place where the plastic insert goes into the front leg. I have a couple of questions
1. Can anyone comment on the longevity of their 3D printed replacements? I have the choice of printing or machining out of Aluminium. Printing is going to be cheaper and easier, but I don't want to go through all that only for it to break again at the same place.
2. Has anyone had the same parts in the rear legs break? I was thinking I'd replace all of the inserts in both chairs (8-parts), but if the rear ones never fail it may be wasted cost and effort.

Cheers
Matt

Hi Matt,

1. 3D print or Aluminium - I went aluminium, but the longevity of the part will also depend on the material that you use for 3d printing. The original part is just cheap plastic and that is why it breaks. If you use ABS plastic to 3D print, it should last longer due to the inherent flex in ABS. If I had a 3d print option, I would print a few and keep handy.

2. Yes, prone to breaking, but much less than the front ones. Try with the ABS ones for both, but machines Alu ones, though more costly will outlast the chair.

Cheers,

 

[flying banana]

22mm copper pipe has been my fix now since all mine broke. Chop it off, drill a hole. Slot it in. Bolt it up. Job done

 

[flying banana]

By the way. My copper pipe repair is still holding strong 2 years and lots of use later.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

By the way. My copper pipe repair is still holding strong 2 years and lots of use later.

Photo?

 

[flying banana]

Photo?

I'll add one when I get back to van from t pub. I'm away camping again

 

[kurienp]

I'll add one when I get back to van from t pub. I'm away camping again

... back from the pub and take a pic of a copper pipe? nah! not gonna happen

 

[Perfectos]

posting this to help @flying banana
(Probably not back from the Pub yet )

Post #90 onwards

neat Job

Folding chair broken

As the saying goes.....If the cap fits...... Or even if the seat does not fit....

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[flying banana]

You were all correct about me not taking this pic after the pub. Done it this morning packing uo. So here you go. I do keep meaning to get some proper ones made but this works fine

 

[matt-k918]

Looks like one of your chairs has broken (pop rivet) on the cross bar in that picture, which was actually the issue that triggered this thread originally!!

 

[flying banana]

Looks like one of your chairs has broken (pop rivet) on the cross bar in that picture, which was actually the issue that triggered this thread originally!!

Well spotted. I have since replaced that rivet too. The old one is still rattling about in the chair somewhere

 

[matt-k918]

Just finished repairing (upgrading!) my chairs. I decided to go with Alu and do all the inserts on both chairs (8 parts). The only time consuming bit was grinding the nuts and the head of the bolts (used to replace the cold rivet) down to fit inside the plastic armrest, since I didn't have anything suitably flat headed to hand!

All 8 of the removed parts were cracked. Given that the OEM part has a flat and is being pop riveted to a curved surface I'm not really surprised!

I think the inserts will now outlast the chair!!!

 

[kurienp]

Just finished repairing (upgrading!) my chairs. I decided to go with Alu and do all the inserts on both chairs (8 parts). The only time consuming bit was grinding the nuts and the head of the bolts (used to replace the cold rivet) down to fit inside the plastic armrest, since I didn't have anything suitably flat headed to hand!

All 8 of the removed parts were cracked. Given that the OEM part has a flat and is being pop riveted to a curved surface I'm not really surprised!

I think the inserts will now outlast the chair!!!

View attachment 97877

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Very nicely done. Don't we love a well machined piece ... a work of art!

 

[66tim99]

Just finished repairing (upgrading!) my chairs. I decided to go with Alu and do all the inserts on both chairs (8 parts). The only time consuming bit was grinding the nuts and the head of the bolts (used to replace the cold rivet) down to fit inside the plastic armrest, since I didn't have anything suitably flat headed to hand!

All 8 of the removed parts were cracked. Given that the OEM part has a flat and is being pop riveted to a curved surface I'm not really surprised!

I think the inserts will now outlast the chair!!!

View attachment 97877

View attachment 97878

View attachment 97879

View attachment 97880

Marvellous.
Can I order 8 please?

 

[matt-k918]

Marvellous.
Can I order 8 please?

Hmmm. Not economically viable for mass production I think. They didn't need the machining at the top to match the OEM ones, but it made them pretty! For the amount of time and material I actually think the other Alu' ones on here from the guy in Germany are pretty good value for c.£30

 

[66tim99]

Hmmm. Not economically viable for mass production I think. They didn't need the machining at the top to match the OEM ones, but it made them pretty! For the amount of time and material I actually think the other Alu' ones on here from the guy in Germany are pretty good value for c.£30

Yes, I expected that, understood.
Unfortunately @domiT6 hasn't been seen since May 19, 2020.
@Bigted how are your 3D printed versions faring?

 

[Blubus]

Once again the forum comes to the rescue. I emailed D.Baeurle@gmx.de and a few days later new beautifully crafted replacements arrived in the post from Germany with great fitting instructions. Really easy to fit.

Thank you Domi

 

[Bluebird]

I had the same problem whilst in Spain last month. Following a recommendation from @MarkG I popped into this place in the way home and bought this :

Repair kit armrest of the original VW camping chair - 1 piece

Repair kit armrest of the original VW camping chair - 1 piece Anodized aluminum adapter for the repair of the armrest of the original VW California folding seats. The original VW camping seats can be folded and easily stored in the vehicle. At the front of the...

www.volkswagenshop.be

I’ve just fitted it now, the trickiest bit was removing the plastic hinge in the armrest but once that was done the rest was a doddle.

Im happy with the part, it seems to be good quality and is much better than the original.