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Dodgy
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 517
Location: Leicester, UK
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scottyrocks
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2016
Posts: 2661
Location: Long Island, NY
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 Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 6:45 am Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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| What a mess you started with. I applaud the level of skill, and the work you have put into it. |
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Otan
Samba Member
Joined: April 23, 2011
Posts: 51
Location: Albany NY
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| Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:22 am Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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you are very good at this, i cant believe it is your first VW 
keep up the good work! |
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jerrybromley
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2016
Posts: 124
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:51 am Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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Thanks Guys , I REALY appreciate the encouragement. 
I have rebuilt a VERY rusty 69 Mach1 and also a VERY rusty Maverick Grabber so the experience helps immensely
As for the 2 bolt or 3 bolt ball joints ..........This the first time I've given it any thought at all . Being the suspension is my next big order for the car I should decide. What are the pro's and con's ? I have no idea. My first thought is to change as little as I have to. My goal is to have the car done by summer
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garyt
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2015
Posts: 763
Location: Burgundy
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| Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 10:34 am Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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| Ah, ok, thanks, worth knowing. |
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Dodgy
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 517
Location: Leicester, UK
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| Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 9:33 am Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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| jerrybromley wrote: |
| As for the 2 bolt or 3 bolt ball joints ..........This the first time I've given it any thought at all . Being the suspension is my next big order for the car I should decide. What are the pro's and con's ? I have no idea. My first thought is to change as little as I have to. My goal is to have the car done by summer |
It's not something to lose sleep over.
•If you were planning to convert to factory rack & pinion you would have to fit the 2-bolt suspension (and remove the reinforcement under the spare wheel well and fill the steering box / idler holes in the body and install the R&P mount captive nuts in the body and reshape the floorpan frame head for the additional clearance...)
•Either can be used with with steering box, it's possible that the tie rod arms are slightly different lengths, I'm not 100% sure
•2-bolt setup has a negative steering radius, which is an improvement, but you need the correct ET41 wheels fitted to get the geometry correct
•Some say the 3-bolt is stronger, but I don't know what evidence is offered for this
•There is no real difference in maintenance requirements or parts availability for either setup. 2-bolt balljoints have to be pressed in and out, but it's no big deal.
In practice, I doubt it will make a significant difference to the driving experience whichever setup you choose (except R&P of course)
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'75 1303 (current project) owned since 1989!
'72 Squareback - full resto completed 2008 - now sold
356 Speedster kit, completed 2005 - now sold |
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Dodgy
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 517
Location: Leicester, UK
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Q-Dog
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010
Posts: 8699
Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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| Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 2:55 am Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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Nice work. Most people would have scrapped that one.
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Brian
'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle |
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jerrybromley
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2016
Posts: 124
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 10:16 am Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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Thanks for the input on the front suspension .
In light of all the other extra work I've got going on this car I will probably just put some sport springs on the front to lower it a little and stay with the 3 bolt that were on it . I'm not working for a performance car here just a nice little driver thats reliable.
The info on the gas struts is new to me. I am trying to lower it a little so I don't want to undo what the spring should do for me.
Probably tomorrow I'm going to give Topline a call and get there recomedations
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jerrybromley
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2016
Posts: 124
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2017 8:33 am Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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Quick update.... Topline agreed that the gas struts would raise the car some so oil struts it is (thanks Dodgy I didn't know that) Putting in a larger front sway bar and installing a sway bar in the rear , sport front springs , all urethane bushings front and rear. All new ball joints and tie rods and disc brake conversion. Oh and I will stay with the 3 bolt ball joints. All his should make this little Super handle ALOT better.
I found a supposedly good used steering box and idler arm assembly on Ebay (they were sacraficed for the rack and pinion mistake)
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vamram 
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2012
Posts: 7300
Location: NOVA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2017 9:29 am Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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| jerrybromley wrote: |
Quick update.... Topline agreed that the gas struts would raise the car some so oil struts it is (thanks Dodgy I didn't know that) Putting in a larger front sway bar and installing a sway bar in the rear , sport front springs , all urethane bushings front and rear. All new ball joints and tie rods and disc brake conversion. Oh and I will stay with the 3 bolt ball joints. All his should make this little Super handle ALOT better.
I found a supposedly good used steering box and idler arm assembly on Ebay (they were sacraficed for the rack and pinion mistake) |
Man, that Super is going to really take those corners nicely!
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Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!
'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!! |
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jerrybromley
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Joined: August 06, 2016
Posts: 124
Location: Michigan
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jerrybromley
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2016
Posts: 124
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 7:03 am Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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So all my suspension parts are here and I planned on putting in a brass idler arm bushing only to discover the one I ordered was too small by ALOT. Contacted Topline and they got the right one in the mail that day. One obstacle overcome , but as many before me have discovered pulling the arm off the shaft can be a B**CH.
I could not get a puller to grab the arm tight enough to apply enough pressure to actually pull the arm off.
My solution was to grind an area on each side of the bottom of the arm to allow my pullers jaws something to grab
Even with the jaws holding I had to use my Oxy acetylene torch (propane was not enough) to heat it enough to get it to come free
But where there's a will there's a way
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jerrybromley
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2016
Posts: 124
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 7:05 am Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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I saw all my painted front end parts hanging there and I thought about Christmas stockings hanging on the mantle
Except in a gear head sorta way 
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jerrybromley
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2016
Posts: 124
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 7:30 am Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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Quick update... the convertible specific re-enforcing metal in the front and side were destroyed in the process of replacing the front end so here are the replacements installed. These are without a doubt the WORST fitting replacement panels I have ever used. The price on them was stupid high. A lot of cutting and bending
first coat of por -15 and sealer on the rear interior
struts ready to go
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32593
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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jerrybromley
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2016
Posts: 124
Location: Michigan
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jerrybromley
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2016
Posts: 124
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 2:11 pm Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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I thought I would add some photos to update my progress. I have managed to get the body and chassis back together again. With a little luck I will have a roller this weekend with brakes
I know it sorta looks like a clown car right now. The original color was the orange and then someone painted it blue( not a great job either ) the black on the car is POR-15 rust preventative and the red is the new front end I welded on.
When completed the car will be marina blue with a white top. The interior will be a 2 tone black and white. Not factory I know ...but then not much else is either
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Chad1376
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2005
Posts: 1435
Location: Henderson, Nevada
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| Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 3:04 pm Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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| I am in awe! Very impressive. |
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jerrybromley
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2016
Posts: 124
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 9:55 am Post subject: Re: It's always worse than you think My 73 convertible rebuild |
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It's been a little bit since I updated. I think she is slowly becoming a car again. Just ordered the interior for her . It should be here in 4 to 6 weeks ( I was hoping sooner...Oh well)
I'm taking it back to factory paint and then using Metalock epoxy primer surfacer to block it out
My goal is a local 4th of July car show............Wish me luck
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