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binci Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2007 Posts: 65 Location: Debrecen - Hungary - Europe
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:56 am Post subject: How to change the front axle beam? |
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Hi everyone!
I'm not too good in mechanics, but I would like to learn to repair my beetle. Now I will have to change the original front axle beam to a narrowed one.
Has anyone a pictorial - tutorial how to do this at home?
Thank you very much! _________________ 1966 1200A European Standard |
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drscope Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007 Posts: 15273 Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:17 am Post subject: |
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Undo the steering coupler, undo the brake lines and take out the 4 bolts that hold it to the frame head.
Get a book! You need a book! _________________ Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch! |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76884 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:19 am Post subject: |
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drscope wrote: |
Undo the steering coupler, undo the brake lines and take out the 4 bolts that hold it to the frame head.
Get a book! You need a book! |
Don't forget the two top bolts under the gas tank. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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binci Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2007 Posts: 65 Location: Debrecen - Hungary - Europe
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:44 am Post subject: |
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drscope wrote: |
Undo the steering coupler, undo the brake lines and take out the 4 bolts that hold it to the frame head.
Get a book! You need a book! |
Yes, that's what I would like to see in pictures!
I have many books, but it's only about engine repairing, not that type. _________________ 1966 1200A European Standard |
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slamadub Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2009 Posts: 178 Location: Springfield,mo
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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drscope wrote: |
Undo the steering coupler, undo the brake lines and take out the 4 bolts that hold it to the frame head.
Get a book! You need a book! |
Or pull arms out of the beam so you dont have to mess with the brakes/spindles. If your going narrowed all you would have to do is install your new beam, insert the stock leaves, knock out your trailing arm torsion covers with a long screwdriver and install the trailing arms letting the stock lengh torsions pass through the arms. Now you can mark the torsions to the correct length to cut, and mark your new dimples through the stock trailing arm dimple hole. Make sure your have all bushings in place as if you were final assembling your new beam so you get accurate cut/dimple marks. This way has worked for me. I have never taken off my brake lines to uninstall/install a beam. _________________ My little build thread
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=527955 |
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the-jerm Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2007 Posts: 1169 Location: Sarasota, Fl
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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Slamadubs method will work but I found that pulling the whole thing out is good for us first timers. This way allows you to get it up on a bench where you can get a better understanding of what you are doing without laying under the car. Its really an easy job. As stated before, disconnect brake lines, remove gas tank to gain access to the steering coupling, disconnect steering coupling, remove the two bolts directly above the beam (Located inside where your brake fluid res is.), support the beam, and remove the four large bolts on the front of the beam. Those four bolts can be a pain in the ass if its never been removed before. Invest in some penetrating lubricant!
Hope that helps. |
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schunacher Samba Member
Joined: January 13, 2010 Posts: 212 Location: Silicon Valley
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Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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I have been messing around with my front end (haven't removed it though) and it is surprisingly simple. If you don't have access to books I think you could get away with just undoing the bolts you think are in the way!
Be careful with brake lines and use the correct bolts and fasteners though. You can't go wrong in the garage but you certainly could go wrong if it falls apart driving down the road. |
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63brew Samba Member
Joined: March 23, 2007 Posts: 76 Location: 562
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binci Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2007 Posts: 65 Location: Debrecen - Hungary - Europe
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 5:30 am Post subject: |
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Thank's everybody!
That was I looking for! _________________ 1966 1200A European Standard |
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drscope Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007 Posts: 15273 Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 10:01 am Post subject: |
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Here's a tip that might help you guys who have your beams out.
The beam can be EASILY adapted to most engine stands. So if you have one of those cheap roll around stands like harbor freight or some auto parts stores sell, bolt it up on the stand.
It makes it a lot easier to deal with. _________________ Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch! |
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the-jerm Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2007 Posts: 1169 Location: Sarasota, Fl
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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Thats a damn good idea! I never thought about that. |
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SKIN Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2009 Posts: 60 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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That helped me too. I got all of the bolts undone, but didn't know how I was going to get them back in. I guess I should have removed the gas tank. I will be doing that tomorrow. |
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Helfen Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009 Posts: 3449 Location: Vulcania
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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Hey 63brew, Nice picture of the wedge you've got there. Been there and done that many a time! I guess location 562 is Newport. At first I thought it was my old distributor lic. plate #.
Don |
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BUGTHUG Samba's Rented Mule
Joined: April 22, 2007 Posts: 833 Location: KANSAS toto's fire hydrant
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:22 pm Post subject: |
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drscope wrote: |
Here's a tip that might help you guys who have your beams out.
The beam can be EASILY adapted to most engine stands. So if you have one of those cheap roll around stands like harbor freight or some auto parts stores sell, bolt it up on the stand.
It makes it a lot easier to deal with. |
Plus you can put a trash can under the beam when in the verticle position to spay cleaners or solvents to get all that nasty grease out. Worked for me. _________________ I know you would understand what I'm saying if you could just see my HANDS
Even the middle of the week says W T F
1963 15 window bus
1966 VW bug
1966 21 window micro bus
1969 Dune Buggy
1965 VW bug
1974 VW bug
1972 Kelmark, VW drive line
1948 Chevrolet Hearse |
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