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Mon May 12, 2025 11:36 am

I bought new Micarta beam bushings from CIP1. They measure 1.785/.790 od. Thats .015 to .020 over my beam ID of 1.770/.771. Seems like an awful lot of press..

Seems to me .005 would be more in line. Thoughts? Input?

Thanks,
Bill

Mon May 12, 2025 10:58 pm

They are not rigid. The material has a lot to give. They will press in with no issues. You definitely want them tight! Highly recommend just pressing them in, as is.

FWIW. I completed this exact task a year ago or so. You would need to read the date on the page 79.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...start=1560

Not to bad of a job!

Tue May 13, 2025 4:35 am

VW jimbo,
That is exactly the information I was looking for. I have access to a lathe and if I knew the crush ratio, I'd bore the bushing to the correct size (oversize) before installation. I've read 65% of the OD press is what the ID will move but thats a crap shoot. You didn't take any before and after measurements on the ID's and OD's did you? Fingers crossed.

The read on page 79 was great!

Thanks
Bill

Tue May 13, 2025 8:34 am

trilogymac wrote: VW jimbo,
That is exactly the information I was looking for. I have access to a lathe and if I knew the crush ratio, I'd bore the bushing to the correct size (oversize) before installation. I've read 65% of the OD press is what the ID will move but thats a crap shoot. You didn't take any before and after measurements on the ID's and OD's did you? Fingers crossed.

The read on page 79 was great!

Thanks
Bill

I did. But not knowing how much crush would happen, I was willing to go for it. It worked out great! If I had to do it again, I would press them in straight away, just like I did and team them slowly, no more than a 3/64th at a time. The reamer chatters pretty badly if you try too big of a cut. The material is like a fiberious plastic. Those fibers grab and the plastic just balls up. So slow and steady with lots of grease!

I am so glad I went through and created that index. Makes
My life way easier referring back to stuff. Glad Everett could get that posted into the first page for everyone!

Wed May 14, 2025 4:09 am

An update VW Jimbo!
Bushings from CIP1
I only needed to replace the outer bushings.

Beam ID's. 1.770/.771
Micarta bushings OD 1.785 .005 out of round. Consistent size and egg
Micarta bushing ID 1.741 (would need opening up).
trailing arm OD 1.455/457

So, there was .015 press fit into the beam. I built an installation tool from allthread and hardware. I didn't want to buy a reamer but I had access to a lathe. Bored the 1st bushing.010 over my trailing arm diameter to compensate for the ID shrinkage, I didnt want to overbore. I took your advice and pressed the bushings in with the full .015 press. Almost a perfect SWAG. Installed the first bushing and it was spot on, same size as the trailing arm. I honed .003 out with a 3 stone hone and brake cleaner. Fit perfect. Bored the final 3 bushings out to 1.470, a couple of swipes with the hone and all 4 trailing arms will stand/hold in position and move with light pressure using 2 fingers. I'm thrilled with the outcome.

Thanks for the help and I hope this helps someone else.

Wed May 14, 2025 9:29 pm

Glad that you got it! Glad my journey was of value and helped you out. That is a huge compliment! So, from me to you, THANK YOU!

Nice job man!