TheSamba.com :: View topic - CB Performance narrowed adjustible beam, How to adjust?

Thu Jul 08, 2010 4:55 pm

I bought a brand new narrowed adjustible beam for my '74 standard bug and have installed it , but we cannot get the puma adjusters to go all the way up to the top. They will go all the way down but not up. I called CB Performance about this problem but they were of no help they said just turn the screws in and out to lower and raise the car. I have searched th internet and cannot find anything out on how to adjust the puma adjusters. I guess I am just dumb. Help please.

Thu Jul 08, 2010 5:29 pm

Turning the screws in and out doesn't make much sense. Are the shocks limiting the travel? Are you trying to raise or lower the car?

Thu Jul 08, 2010 6:23 pm

I know. I have the shocks out right now and it still won't move. I am trying to lower the car but it is too low and the adjusters won't move up. I'll try and post some pics of it tomorrow. Thanks for the reply.

Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:24 am

put your jack under the front beam... take the jam nuts off both adjusters, then loosen the nut on the grub enough that the adjuster plate will move out of the grip grooves completely.... jack the car up and the grubs and adjusters should move upward get them to a higher point, tighten the nut. let jack down and bounce on the car or roll it around to settle the suspension... if it is good, install the jam nuts and tighten, if not high enough, repeat the procedure...

Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:19 am

Thanks I'll definately try it.

Sun Jul 11, 2010 12:06 am

Are these the type of adjusters on your beam?

If so, you could remove the nuts that tighten the adjuster down and remove the top ribbed part of the adjuster. Lower and raise the front and see of the hex bolt is binding in the slot. The slot should allow the beam to move thru the full range of travel.

There is one other area that could be binding... the ball joints.
Consider that the ball joints can only move thru a certain angle connected to the spindle. When you reach that limit, the front end can't move up/down any further even if there is more adjustment available in the adjuster.

Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:45 am

Yes that is my beam, I am going to try this tomorrow. I'll let you guys know what happens. Thanks.

Sun Jul 11, 2010 10:46 am

Whe3n you slam a bug you need special ball joints.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4192

and

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4193

They have a wider slot so they don't bind.

You also need caster shims.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4190

and a matching pair of longer bolts.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4028

I guess you fixed the tie rod length already?

Sun Jul 11, 2010 10:51 am

Fred_m wrote: Whe3n you slam a bug you need special ball joints.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4192

and

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4193

They have a wider slot so they don't bind.

You also need caster shims.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4190

and a matching pair of longer bolts.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4028

I guess you fixed the tie rod length already?

Caster shims only if you have a rake. Not necessary if the beam angle isn't changed too much.

Mon Jul 12, 2010 11:19 am

Allready bought all that stuff from CB Performance when I ordered the beam.

Wed Jul 14, 2010 2:37 pm

Got it raised just enough to clear the tires, thanks guys.

Wed Jul 14, 2010 7:51 pm

Fred_m wrote: Whe3n you slam a bug you need special ball joints.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4192

and

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4193

They have a wider slot so they don't bind.

You also need caster shims.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4190

and a matching pair of longer bolts.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4028

I guess you fixed the tie rod length already?

My car is slammed. I can go as low as 1/2 off the ground and have had no problems what so ever with balljoints binding and dont use caster shims at all.

Wed Jul 14, 2010 9:11 pm

spudin wrote: Got it raised just enough to clear the tires, thanks guys.
So, where was the problem?

It's good to post what you did to fix it (or just what you found) so the next person can use this thread as a solution. :)

Wed Jul 14, 2010 9:50 pm

spudin wrote: Got it raised just enough to clear the tires, thanks guys.

Do you have any suspension travel?

I've had issues in the past adjusting these front ends out and retaining any travel in the suspension.

Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:07 pm

It was binding in the ball joints. It still has 2 notches left to be fully raised, but I don't want it any higher. I think the ball joints are stock length and I need lowered ball joints. Longer length. I may have to change them later but I am going to drive it for a while to see what they do.

Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:46 pm

If you have the new springs - it is going to settle a little - mine dropped almost another inch after a month. I have the link pin version and love it.