Beam disassembly / reassembly

[vlad01]

Another question? can the needle bearings be removed without damaging them and be reused, or do I need to buy NOS set of them?

Both of my beams have perfect bearing but I just want to replace the inner bushings as they seem to wear 10 times the rate at which the bearings do.

one has 46k on it, the other has about 20-25k on it from memory but one bent control arm so I wont use that bearing nor the beam just in case, though it still looks feels and seem to work perfect with a new control arm.

[Max Welton]

I know they can be removed and reused.

But I don't know the process since I farmed that out to the local shop.

Max
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1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

[69sback]

I'm about to start this job myself. After pulling the upper torsion arms, the ends of the arms were beat up pretty bad with some definite play in the arm when installed. So the inner bushings are shot. The outer needle bearings are fine.

I bought the ISPwest bushing replacement kit and hope to install it this spring sometime. I'd like to replace just the inner bushings as the needle bearings are ok. However, to remove the inner bushings, or rather install, I definitely need to remove the needle bearings. I'd hate to just destroy them in the process, so I'm going to try something like this tool here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/blind-hole-bearing-puller-95987.html

It expands to fit the inner diameter of the bearing, the lip catches, and then the slide hammer will pull it out. I'm hoping this will save my needle bearings.

And for the reaming job required on the inner bushings once installed, harbor freight also sells a cheap reamer <$100.

if all goes well, i'll start refurb'ing type 3 beams for a living and quit my day time job

PS. does anyone know the inner diameter of the upper needle (outer) bearing? I'd like to make sure the blind hole puller will work before I buy it. I fear the bearing might be too big...

Thanks

[Mike Fisher]

I think it was Salty in Australia that was machining new bushings/pullers etc for his car & to sell/rent?
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[vlad01]

I seen these little beauties on fb the other week.

asked the guy if he was planing to make them for others. currently testing them for a year to see how they wear.

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[ataraxia]

Looks like a decent solution.

[stretch521]

Awesome info!! and great pics!!

[blues90]

[Salty]

[Max Welton]

So ... bad news. The inner-upper bushings that I installed in 2011 are toast. Lots of obvious movement in the top trailing links. Hopefully the links themselves are OK.

I'll know more when I get it all apart.
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1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

[Max Welton]

I finally got some barn-time and popped the outer bearings from the upper tube out. I also pulled the bearings out of another rusty beam I had from the pile.

The left trailing link looks nice, and well greased.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1447627

The right link for whatever reason wasn't getting lubed where the roller lives. Not good. It was that outer bearing that died. I actually think the inners are OK (for now). But I'm going to need a new upper trailing link for the right side, plus the bearing of course.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1447626

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1447618

Although I now have three upper roller bearings that look ok, there is some grit in each assembly and I don't see any way to clean them out. That's the problem with junk-yard parts.

But before I go out and source a new link, I'm going to take the good trailing link and one of the bearings to Whisler Bearing to see if there is a current bearing that is close. My idea is to find a bearing with a slightly smaller than stock ID and see if a machine-shop will turn the trailing link down to match the new bearing. Likewise, a bearing the is slightly oversized on the OD might be made to fit by opening up the beam to receive it.

Hey Vlad, do you have any more information on those bearings you posted pictures of?

Max
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1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

[Max Welton]

So I'm just back from Whisler Bearing. They could not match my bearing but did find one that had the right ID and length but the OD was a few mm smaller. The pictures Vlad posted look like they just might be a piece made to accept the slightly smaller OD of the bearing but press-fit into the beam. It amounts to a very thin sleeve.

Now, here is a 35x44x20 HK. That should be right on the money.

http://www.tradebearings.com/hk354420-automobile-bearings-35x44x20mm-product-51255.html

http://www.seekpart.com/product/HK-BK-Series-Non-standard-bearing-841566.html

I am looking for a way to get some without buying several thousand units.

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

[ataraxia]

[W1K1]

Go to your local bearing shop and ask for the HK354420 part number, many different high quality manufacturers make needle roller bearings, don't buy Chinese junk unless you want it to fail. I'm not at work otherwise I could check North American stock for that number with a few manufacturers
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1973 super
1965 squareback 1500E
1971 bay window westy- subi swap

[W1K1]

so the actual number for that bearing is HK3520 which is 35 x 42 x 20mm, should be around $10 ea for a good manufacturer like INA, NTN, SKF, etc

I can find other options, what is the actual size of the OEM bearing?
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1973 super
1965 squareback 1500E
1971 bay window westy- subi swap

[Max Welton]

The OD of the OEM VW bearing is 44mm, so it's a 35x44x20. That's the rub. It isn't a standard size. My local bearing shop "Whisler Bearing" could not match it.

I'm in communication with ZhongHeng Bearing CO at this time. They have HK354420s for ~ $3.69 USD per so I don't expect OEM quality. On the other hand I can buy bunch and just inspect them every year or so.

If you can find a better option, I'm all ears. Cuz I'm done scraping around for NOS originals. It's just not a good long-term solution.

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

[W1K1]

so OEM 311 401 305A is 35 x 44 x 20
INA HK3520 is 35 x 42 x 20
and an inch series SCH2212 is 34.925 x 44.45 x 19.05
or the longer version is SCH2216 at 25.40mm long.

it would be interesting to know why the Chinese manufacturer is making the OEM sized one. there isn't much to the construction process of the needle bearings, a spun steel housing, bearing cage, and some needle bearings.
If they can do them, that's one less obsolete item to look for
_________________
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/jim_martin_engine_build.php

1973 super
1965 squareback 1500E
1971 bay window westy- subi swap

[Max Welton]

Bearings ordered.

10 HK354420s from ZhongHeng Bearing Company in Linqing City.

$63.60 USD shipped.

Who can recommend a decent bore gauge that will reach 6" into the beam and measure a 30mm to 45mm bore? I don't mind spending reasonable money for good tools.

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

[Max Welton]

Can someone tell me the bore size of the beam where the inner top bushing sits?

Max
_________________
1967 Type-3 Fastback
Under the Knife https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=151582
Home Stretch https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=767836

[ataraxia]