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amaskedman Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2020 Posts: 56 Location: WA
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Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2020 1:57 pm Post subject: Re: How to Narrow your own Beam !!! |
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Wont this mess with the two notches for the steering assymbly? |
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HolyRoller Samba Member
Joined: May 07, 2015 Posts: 101 Location: Belleville, Ontario
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Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 6:55 pm Post subject: Re: How to Narrow your own Beam !!! |
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I remain curious with respect to the question of whether anyone knows which bit is best suited to drilling the narrowed torsion leaves?
I have read here or elsewhere that you should use a 90 degree bit rather than a more modern style.
Anyone have a link to Ebay or Amazon bit that would be great for re-creating the correct dimple for the grub screws?
Thanks! _________________ '62 Type 34 Ghia - Major project (sold!)
'71 Type 14 Ghia - Slightly less major project
'67 Type 14 Ghia - Drive-able project (sold!) |
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Frisky72 Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2016 Posts: 2 Location: Somerset
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2016 7:33 am Post subject: Re: How to Narrow your own Beam !!! |
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Hi, what about the steering lock stop (RHD) do you just cut it off ? |
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ashman40 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007 Posts: 15985 Location: North Florida, USA
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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 10:24 am Post subject: |
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From earlier in this thread...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1...;start=704
It seems to indicate you may be able to cut 4" and still have shock towers. Obviously, you will need some plate steel to weld into place to create the notched area. Another thing to add to your list.
Some aftermarket narrowed beams will have custom shock towers made from thick steel flats:
_________________ AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!} |
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db69 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2013 Posts: 419 Location: east TN
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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 9:05 am Post subject: |
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Now that's some valuable info! I will do some measuring and see if I can get by with 2.5" or maybe 3". Thanks! |
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ashman40 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007 Posts: 15985 Location: North Florida, USA
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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 9:00 am Post subject: |
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You know that the stock shock towers will probably hit the inner fender well if you cut 4" from the beams. 3" is the most I have heard where you can keep the towers. Even at 3", you may need to chop a notch from the inside of the towers or cut/bend the inner fender sheet metal to get the clearance to fit the beam. This is why you typically see a 2.5" narrowed beam. These fit well w/o any interference.
I think it is around 4" that many consider removing the shock tower all together. The shorter leaf springs make for a much stiffer ride which may be able to go without shocks. _________________ AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!} |
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db69 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2013 Posts: 419 Location: east TN
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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 8:25 am Post subject: |
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Thanks! I will probably add this to my winter to do list. I will post pics when it's complete. |
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ashman40 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007 Posts: 15985 Location: North Florida, USA
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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 8:20 am Post subject: |
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The grease seals are a good example of something you might be able to re-use, but probably a good idea to replace while you have the arms off. The same could apply to the tie rod ends and ball joints. If the boots for these are cracked or long gone, you should consider at least replacing the boots if not replacing the complete joints. But this is not part of the beam narrowing, just something you may want to replace/refresh while you have the front beam apart.
Do you also want to pick up some black paint to coat the beam? Some don't do anything to the welds and leave them raw. If it were me, I'd clean and paint the beam and torsion arms while I had them out.
Since you already have 2.5" dropped spindles (which do not need shorter shocks) you may only need to lower the front another inch or so. That probably doesn't require new shocks. If you were dropping it another 2" you might need shorter (Opel) shocks. Again, this will depend on your plans and at what point the tires start to rub the fenders.
When you are done post pics here so we can see. _________________ AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!} |
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db69 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2013 Posts: 419 Location: east TN
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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 7:32 am Post subject: |
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I have all necessary tools the beam is still on car. I understand worn parts will need to be replaced but let's just say everything I have is good (yeah right)what else must or should be purchased? I know I will need adjusters and grease seals. I have a 69 beetle with 2.5" drop spindle disc brakes and would like to have the tires tucked under fenders and a little lower. Will I need lowered shocks or stock height? Anything else ? You know there is always unforeseen costs that come with these simple cheap projects surely it isn't as cheap and simple as this thread says come on guys I know someone has a list of parts they had to buy after someone else said "all you need is adjusters" |
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ashman40 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007 Posts: 15985 Location: North Florida, USA
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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 7:00 am Post subject: |
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db69 wrote: |
Does anyone have a complete list of parts required for a 4" narrow and adjuster install? Ex: adjusters, bearings , bushings etc. |
What are you starting with?
If your existing beam is trash, then you will need a complete front beam? If you have a well equipped shop you may only need to buy the pair of adjusters (top & bottom). You will need the tools to cut the beam and move the mounts. You also need to buy the narrowed top/bottom leaf springs or mod the existing ones. Again, what are you starting with and what facilities do you have?
The bearings and bushings are already in the beam and unless they are worn out you shouldn't need new ones.
Have you looked at the pictorial walk-thru at the beginning of this thread (Page 1)? _________________ AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!} |
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db69 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2013 Posts: 419 Location: east TN
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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 2:13 am Post subject: |
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Does anyone have a complete list of parts required for a 4" narrow and adjuster install? Ex: adjusters, bearings , bushings etc. |
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Jerkhalter Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2015 Posts: 94 Location: Queen Creek, Arizona
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Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 8:22 pm Post subject: Adjuster Degree |
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What degree are you guys welding adjusters in. Looking for lowered bug look |
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Jayuyano Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2007 Posts: 14
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2015 8:03 am Post subject: |
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Quick question bout a beam I got from a friend that was cut 6 inches put it on my 69 bug but the steering is way off turns completely on the passenger side but on the drivers side it doesn't turn all the way it drags the tire and the steering is stiff. _________________ (o\!/o) |
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zodlaw Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2005 Posts: 507 Location: Battle Ground, Wa.
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Joey Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2005 Posts: 5366 Location: Nova Scotia - Canada
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Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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Am I missing something here... why did you remove the mounts and move them over? I don't see where the beam has been cut in the middle to narrow it... _________________ Joey
‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle |
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SBD Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2012 Posts: 3269 Location: SOUTH DAKOTA
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Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:19 am Post subject: |
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They might have been some kind of locating holes for jigging the parts during the manufacturing process. Just a guess. |
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zodlaw Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2005 Posts: 507 Location: Battle Ground, Wa.
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zodlaw Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2005 Posts: 507 Location: Battle Ground, Wa.
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ashman40 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007 Posts: 15985 Location: North Florida, USA
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Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 6:31 pm Post subject: Re: holes with small plastic plugs in beam |
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zodlaw wrote: |
So I got all the brackets cut off. There are 4 holes under the mounts with plugs in them I have looked and look with no answer.
Do I just fill those or leave them? |
Post some pics.
Could they be the zerk grease fitting holes? Those should be towards the outer ends as they are meant to fill grease into the space between the inner/outer bushing/bearing. They should not be anywhere near the brackets. _________________ AshMan40
---------------------------
'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!} |
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zodlaw Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2005 Posts: 507 Location: Battle Ground, Wa.
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