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Loren 
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2004
Posts: 1835
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 Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 8:36 pm Post subject: 55 front beam, what to save? |
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| I just picked up a front beam from a 55 bug (the number stamped on the beam is 0892563). There is some rust through on the uprights, so the beam itself is no good, but what parts should I save? Are the torsion arms worth saving? What about the drums? (assuming they are not too worn out on the inside) It still has ball joints with grease fittings, are these worth saving? The beam also had a period looking steering dampener set up. Did 55s come with a steering dampener or is this an old aftermarked adapter? |
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drscope
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 15273
Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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By "ball joints" with grease fittings are you referring to the tie rod ends?
A 55 would NOT of had ball joints.
It also would NOT have had a factory steering damper.
What to save? Depends on how much room you have. Unless it is really bad, the uprights can be repaired and the beam can be saved.
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Loren
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2004
Posts: 1835
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| Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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| yes, sorry, I mean tie rod ends have grease fittings. Was there an after market kit for a steering dampener? The one on the beam looks like a really nice set up with brackets that don't look home made. |
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66brm
Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2010
Posts: 3676
Location: Perth Western Australia
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| Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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Never heard of a dampener being fitted to an early beam, how does it tie into the steering linkage? Got a pic you can show us?
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slow36hp
scott wimberley
Joined: August 09, 2004
Posts: 3113
Location: mukilteo washington
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Volumex
Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2007
Posts: 532
Location: Sarnia, ON
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| Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 6:45 am Post subject: |
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Keep it x 3
Steering dampers were SP items in the 54 parts manual - so it may have been a dealer fitted accessory when the car was new. |
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Loren
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2004
Posts: 1835
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| Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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Here are some pics of the steering dampener kit I found on the 55 beetle front beam. The parts look rustier than they really are thanks to the morning light.
This end is attached to the tie rod
This is the clamp that attaches to the beam
It looks like a nice set up, perhaps too nice for a home job. My guess would be factory accessorie or after market kit. |
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billmetric
Samba Member
Joined: March 16, 2006
Posts: 1062
Location: Columbus City USA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 9:07 am Post subject: |
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I just picked up a '54 Beetle and theres some rust thru on the rockers so the car itself is no good, what parts should I save? ...
I'm guessing you aren't from the North East? I've never seen a beam that was beyond saving, I've got a stack of em with holes, if I can't put my fist thru it I keep them, I bet its worth less than $2 scrap
cool damper by the way, I think the factory accessory type had a new style casting for the steering arm where the damper attatched, I've never felt the need for one on my older cars, maybe if you drove on a lot of rutted dirt roads they helped more
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