Adj Fr. Beam - no bearings?

[Rusties]

I have a Bugpack adjustable front beam but it does not have any bearings in it, instead it has metal inserts with spiral grooves in them. I imagine this is so the grease can travel through them.

Funny thing is, the control arms are so tight in the beam that they bind stopping the suspension from even moving. I know on my original beam, the control arms are snug, but rotate freely on the bearings.
My question is, is there a fix for this? Am I supposed to remove the metal inserts and install bearings? Or what?

Thanks.

[Rusties]

Update.

Turns out after speaking with the tech guys at CIP and sending them a few pictures that I have an adjustable beam that came with the micarta bushings, inside and out. I know the stockers come with needle bearings on the outer, and micarta bushings for the inner. I would certainly prefer this. My og beam still has og needle bearings in them and are mint. Next time I will not make the mistake of buying a beam with full micarta bushings. I'm sticking with needle bearings for sure.

So my problem seems to be that the micarta bushings have expanded from sitting for a couple of years so the suspension will not move. The control arms were seized, stopping my front-end from returning to it's set position.

Since I am only planning on driving her for the rest of this season before she lives in the garage for the salty winter here in BC, I thought I would hone out the micarta bushings just enough to allow my control arms to move. I removed the control arms which was a dog and cleaned them up with some emery cloth, there was a little discoloring. Honing the inner bushing were a DOG too. After hours of light sanding, polishing and testing for a good fit, my control arms can now be taken in and out (without tools) but are not loose at all and turn smoothly.
Cleaned and lubed my torsion springs, put my spindles etc. back together, tested for play in the front end, there is none to talk about.
Lowered her back down on all four wheels, tested it, and she no longer sits lower on one side, nor does it seem to be binding. Suspension seems to be working correctly...sweet. I still have to take her for a test drive today, but I am guessing all will be fine.

[bill may]

normal clearence on micarta is .040"
_________________
Admin note: Bill Passed away - July, 2017

1965 panel bus-Kermit
"Camping is cheaper than therapy"
www.sv2s.com
www.steeringboxscrapers.net
SBS #100
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=453617

[Rusties]

Thanks Bill for the measurment.

The front end still seemed a little tight ...
so I removed the micarta bushings from the beam, inner and outer. The bushings clearance are all .040". When I placed them on the control arm, out of the beam... they are free moving and can spin around the arm.
Once installed back into the beam however, they bind.

So, I opted to try the inner and outer eurethane replacement bushings instead of the needle bearings simply to save time for this year. So far they seem fine. No problems, no binding... No press needed.

I'm driving. ;]

Thanks again for the info Bill.

[bill may]

no problem. glad to hear i give correct info once in a blue moon
_________________
Admin note: Bill Passed away - July, 2017

1965 panel bus-Kermit
"Camping is cheaper than therapy"
www.sv2s.com
www.steeringboxscrapers.net
SBS #100
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=453617

[heartdoc]

I would say more oft than not...your info has bailed me out of several jams!

thanks,

jeff c.
nc