Problems with front axle?

Ghia 1966 · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 9:46 am Post subject: Problems with front axle?

Have a problem with my 1966 KG, the car is very low due to wear and tear of front beam axel (not sure if it is the correct word in English!)! The car is low and it hits the inside of rt & lt fenders from inside when I turn sharply to right or left! My mechanic is suggesting taking 4 of the 9 rods out, and change their angle position in order to elevate the car
Could that work bearing in mind that the car is in Egypt (9000
Miles away from ny ) so I can not get a refurbished one and ship it!
?!!!!
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Bug 1970 Convertible
Karmann Ghia 1966 Convertible
Standard Bus 1966

Little Harry · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 10:07 am Post subject:

There are a lot of suppliers that sell new beams. There are even some here on the samba.

As far as removing the torsion leaves...I have not done it but everytime I read a post from someone that has they almost always say don't do it. I know you are talking about moving them around but I have also been told not to do that as well.

Maybe someone with some actual experience will chime in.
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1973 VW Karmann Ghia - 1679cc, Kadrons, MoFoCo 041's, Tri-Mil Euro, Interstate Battery, and a little rust.

Ghia 1966 · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 10:23 am Post subject:

I agree with u Harry but I just don't know what to do?! I can not continue driving like this cos it s dangerous and I just can not do any sharp turns! So I just want to fix that problem urgently even by temporary solutions ! Any idea how much is the front beam (new ones)?!
_________________
Bug 1970 Convertible
Karmann Ghia 1966 Convertible
Standard Bus 1966

scotty timmerman · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 1:22 pm Post subject:

i dont think that you can reposition the torsion leaves or the arms. you might want to check if they are all there because some people take them out to actually lower the car.
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71 ghia coupe
71 type 3 fastback auto
71 type 3 fastback manual
73 super beetle

djway3474 · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 2:11 pm Post subject:

if it is very low either torsion bars have already been removed or there is an adjuster system.
remove the torsion bar packs to asses what the situation is

Ian Godfrey · Samba Member Joined: September 25, 2006 Posts: 500

djway is correct, if it is low either leaves have been removed (softer and lower) or there are adjusters fitted, or the beam has been cut and turned.
look for adjusters in the middle of the beam or signs of welding a couple of inches either side of the middle of the beam.

Ghia 1966 · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 3:50 pm Post subject:

This is the regular beam (in Europe and Middle East) not like in America where it is adjustable! U can not lower it or raise it cos there is no adjusting mechanism !
_________________
Bug 1970 Convertible
Karmann Ghia 1966 Convertible
Standard Bus 1966

djway3474 · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 5:37 pm Post subject:

Ghia 1966 · Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2013 1:11 am Post subject:

The problem is here in Egypt the mechanics here r not as experienced as in the US! I believe the beam has not been cut and wielded but rather the rods r worn out!
_________________
Bug 1970 Convertible
Karmann Ghia 1966 Convertible
Standard Bus 1966

Ian Godfrey · Samba Member Joined: September 25, 2006 Posts: 500

I have never seen the torsion leaves 'wear' out but some of the leaves may be broken. Being a '66 it 'should' have a ball joint beam (not king & link pin) so a set of leafs from any beetle 66 and later will fit to replace broken leafs, or you can replace both sets for piece of mind.
In some markets 66 cars had a king and link beam so check your car

Ghia 1966 · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 7:23 am Post subject:

Indeed the mechanic took 4 rods out of the nine and he changed the position of the arm (I guess) and the car was elevated but it is rough on driving than b4!
_________________
Bug 1970 Convertible
Karmann Ghia 1966 Convertible
Standard Bus 1966

EPETREA · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:03 pm Post subject:

Rather that replacing the entire beam, why not replace all the torsion bars if they seem to have lost their spring so to speak.. easier than ordering an entire beam. Shipping would be a lot easier as well.

Ghia 1966 · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:09 pm Post subject:

Thought about that as well! Seems that the beam itself is worn out! I don't really know but my mechanic said that even if I change the rods he is not sure it will elevate the car so best option is to have a new beam or do what he did?!
_________________
Bug 1970 Convertible
Karmann Ghia 1966 Convertible
Standard Bus 1966

Ian Godfrey · Samba Member Joined: September 25, 2006 Posts: 500

I agree with epetrea, a beam does not 'wear out', it is 2 steel tubes with a bearing and a bush at each end. The bearings are replaceable. Worn bearings will not change the height of the car, nor make the ride rough. worn bearings make everything 'sloppy'.

djway3474 · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:24 pm Post subject:

Ghia 1966 · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 11:41 pm Post subject:

How much r the torsion bars?! How many r they?! Where can I find them ?! I can always change them and see the results!
_________________
Bug 1970 Convertible
Karmann Ghia 1966 Convertible
Standard Bus 1966

Ian Godfrey · Samba Member Joined: September 25, 2006 Posts: 500

I would look for a car wrecker. Get the top and bottom set of leaves (they are the same) from any ball joint beetle (66 - 79) they are all the same and fit a ghia.
There are 10 leaves in each set, 4 wide and 6 narrow.

If you find a suitable car to get them from, and the price is right (cheap) i would buy the whole beam assembly then you will have spare trailing arms (sometimes bent) and spare spindles etc.

Ghia 1966 · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 7:17 pm Post subject:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Bug 1970 Convertible
Karmann Ghia 1966 Convertible
Standard Bus 1966

Ghia 1966 · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 7:19 pm Post subject:

here is what he did~! took 4 torsion bars out and changed the angle of something i dont know what! and the car was elevated but became a tough drive and rough since then!
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Bug 1970 Convertible
Karmann Ghia 1966 Convertible
Standard Bus 1966

Ghia 1966 · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 7:21 pm Post subject:

another photo of what the mechanic did to elevate the car! hope someone there will understand something, and manage to give advice!
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Bug 1970 Convertible
Karmann Ghia 1966 Convertible
Standard Bus 1966

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