Kingpin help?

[RDAY]

Ok guys I'm still new to the whole vw and king pin front ends I put mine in my powdercoat oven today to drain all the grease but noticed there are sever circular things inside the beam that are like some sort of bearing what are these and what are they for I can't find them online to buy does anyone have a link?
Thank you

[bugguy076]

I don't thnk anyone makes the bearings anymore. Maybe you can find NOS on line. Or you can replace them with Urathane bushings.
Check the bearings in your beam by slidding the drop arms in and look for movement. If they are still snug, you can reuse them.

[RDAY]

No they're is alot of movement and alot of them have chipped or are broke

[glutamodo]

you mean these?

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D111%2D401%2D315

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D111%2D401%2D301

[pantone149]

Isn't it a bad idea to powdercoat a beam, or am I dreaming this up?

[RDAY]

So are the urethane bushings just as good to replace it with even tho they don't go all the way down right?
Thanks guys

[RDAY]

And what's wrong with powdercoating as long as its completely dissembled and ur replacing all the wear parts

[pantone149]

If you have a Wolfsburg West parts catalog, read about it in the Steering/Front Axle section. That's all I know.

[RDAY]

Nope I dont have that article can someone chim in please im getting ready to place my order
thanks

[mibinder]

RDAY

There were different combinations of bearings and bushings over time. My beam, early 60's (steering damper mount) had micarta inner bushings and outter needle bearings so that is what I will discuss. Glutomodo has the correct items.

I narrowed my beam 3-1/2", installed adjusters, added Old Speed shock towers, and powdercoated my beam. The "word" is that powder coat oven temps will destroy micarta bushings but mine needed replacement anyway.

I feel for anyone that has to do this job without a lathe or the proper VW reamers (I do not). I destroyed a set of the micarta bushings and experimented with a delrin bushing from Stoddard BEFORE I managed to get a set in . Any of the above replacement bushings will require that that OD is reduced and that the ID is opened up. I recommend that your "fit" each bushing to your arms and then adjust the od such that you can manually drive them into position. Fit the OD carefully as these bushings will crack. For peace of mind I added an 8-32 set screw to lock each one in place. Needle bearings must be removed to replace inner bushings.

I know that the above process is anything but OEM. If considering using urethane or delrin replacement bushings of any length be sure that the bushing(s is designed for a factory beam and not just a plain 2" x .120 wall tube.

If you can find a VW repair facility locally to do this job I would not hesitate to take that route. My beam project took significantly longer and cost more than I anticipated because of the inner bushings. Additionally, three of four bushings "felt" acceptable but were ovaled. My beam had plenty grease in it and the 50 year old bushings still needed replacement. YMMV

See my post at http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=502796&highlight=

Feel free to PM me for additional details on my beam build.

Good Luck

[RDAY]

thanks for the reply my bushings held up to the heat when i say that i mean they didnt completly melt but they did soften up and some of them slide right out of the tube once the grease was gone. I think I am going to take the urethane route it seems like alot of work the route u went and I have not done anything like that or understand the process lol and I do not have any shops locally.
Thanks

[drscope]

Urethane is ABSOLUTELY the worst material for this application - or most automotive applications for that matter!

It breaks down quickly if exposed to grease or oil. You gonna grease your beam?

It looks pretty in the catalog, but it will NOT last long.
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