front beam torsion bushings

[monomanx]

All,

What have you used for replacement front beam inner and outer trailing arm bushings for KING PIN front beams?


Seems that my inner bushings on my beam may be bad.

I bought some SAW bushings years ago. I had to still ream them for the arms.

Thanks
Chris

[rugblaster]

If I recall correctly the inner bushings for the king pin front end are a phenolic material and they had to be reamed anyway. They didn't have a bushing that didn't need to be fitted. There was a whole tool kit for the operation, snap bore gauges, adjustable reamers, slide hammers with special pullers etc etc.... I don't know where in the Hell you would find original bushings??? Much less the tool kit. Maybe just time for another beam.
_________________
'69 Karmy, '69 Camper, Meyers clone, '65 drag bug, 10.78 @ 128 (sold it) '51 Dodge farm truck,
'09 MB E350 '18 MB E400, '65 Plymouth Valiant convertible and a '19 Ford F250 King Ranch (nicer, but dirty, farm truck)

VWoA factory trained line tech 75 till 90 or so
ASE Master Certification
VWoA Assoc. of Quality Technicians inductee (One of 25 in the five state southwest region)
La Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin (San Angelo Chapter)
TCU ......GO FROGS!!!!!!

[Mutterranch]

Go here.
https://www.jbugs.com/product/16-5144.html

[rugblaster]

Those look like something that goes into an aftermarket beam. They may work??? I don't know.
_________________
'69 Karmy, '69 Camper, Meyers clone, '65 drag bug, 10.78 @ 128 (sold it) '51 Dodge farm truck,
'09 MB E350 '18 MB E400, '65 Plymouth Valiant convertible and a '19 Ford F250 King Ranch (nicer, but dirty, farm truck)

VWoA factory trained line tech 75 till 90 or so
ASE Master Certification
VWoA Assoc. of Quality Technicians inductee (One of 25 in the five state southwest region)
La Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin (San Angelo Chapter)
TCU ......GO FROGS!!!!!!

[Mutterranch]

They replace the old bearing and phenolic bushing. I have them in my ‘56 link pin beam. They’re far better than stock!

[cbeck]

The bushings in the link are for aftermarket beams. 2.0 x .120 wall. SQUEAK, SQUEAK, SQUEAK.

_________________
My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[Mutterranch]

I don’t think so but maybe the link is for aftermarket beams. Mine has stock beams with red neoprene bushings and work GREAT, no squeaks if you grease them well. Red neoprene in the rear too. I did have to ream the rears out a bit, with a Dremel, before installation to get the right fit. They work much better than stock and can be fit fairly easily if they’re a bit snug.

[cbeck]

Multiple od bushings are available. Germans did not use 2.0 x .120.
_________________
My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[Q-Dog]

I like the stock bearings and bushings for street and mild offroad. The stock phenolic bushings have always needed to be reamed after they are pressed in, and are available from WW. http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111401315
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[monomanx]

I ended up ordering some Delrin full length bushings from Kartek.

Regarding reaming the bushings, how does one maintain a straight bore without a jig?

[jsturtlebuggy]

Make sure to use a very sharp reamer, a dull one will not cut through Delrin.
I have ream many Delrin bushing on off road racing beam cars. Never used a jig, just made sure reamer was straight.
I do use a large tap handle (19-20in long) to turn the ream. I also use a an adjuster reamer. Take your time and start out smaller then diameter of arm and work you way up for first bushing.
_________________
Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960