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jeb1978
Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2004
Posts: 198
Location: Cornfields of Illinois
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 Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:10 pm Post subject: Parts Questions About Front Beam Replacement |
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I'm in the process of replacing the front beam on my 1969 Bus. I've got it off of the bus and taken apart (or at least most of it).
I have a few questions, however.
1. How "tight" should new ball joints feel? I purchased a set of rebuilt torsion arms with new ball joints, and I can hardly move the threaded end of the ball joint by hand. The old ball joints could be moved easily.
2. How do you remove the eccentric bushing from the old upper ball joints? Are they threaded on or just pressed on?
3. Does anyone know where to get parts 17 & 18 in the below diagram (Bentley calls them "special washer" and "brake hose clamp," respectively). I accidentally cut through both pieces on the passenger side when I had to cut the lock nut off to free the ball joint (stripped out the lock nut during removal).
The job so far hasn't been too bad. The only special tool I've used so far is a small tie rod end puller; everything else is just the standard stuff most people would have in their garage. |
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DurocShark
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004
Posts: 6635
Location: Crappy town in a crappy state. But the beach is nearby, so I have that going for me.
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| Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:38 pm Post subject: |
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You got the ball joints out with a tie rod end puller?!?!?!?!
Anyway, the new joints should be REALLY tough to move. This is a good thing. A couple thousand pounds of bus will take care of moving it for you.
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No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow. |
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bugster1226
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2003
Posts: 239
Location: So. Ca.
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| Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2005 6:43 am Post subject: |
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New ball joints are very snug
You can use heat to get the eccentric off, get it hot and use a small puller
They are a taper fit. so don't damage the tapered surface.
Those parts are probably only available at a salvage yard.
Good luck---Stay warm
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It ain't rocket science |
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bhuser
Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2010
Posts: 224
Location: KC
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| Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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This is an old post, but I'm having a hell of a time getting number 19 separated from the upper ball joint on both sides. I purchased a refurb set of torsion arms with ball joints pressed in from WI. I just can't get these seemingly non threaded spacers off the old ones.
What's the trick?
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'76 Westy
"Choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil"
-Ralph Nader sticker in the bus when I bought it |
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atmellovw
Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2006
Posts: 1652
Location: Minnesota
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| Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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Shouldn't be that hard...I used this type of puller and it did not take too much to pop it off.
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1972 Westy ("Bubbles") - Pastel White - 1700(1974 MT) - Dual Solex |
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RomStrom
Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2019
Posts: 7
Location: Austin, Texas
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| Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 8:01 am Post subject: Re: Parts Questions About Front Beam Replacement |
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I know I'm resurrecting an old post here but may I ask where you found this diagram? I'm rebuilding my front beam and trying to procure all the hardware ahead of taking it out, however both the Bentley and Haynes manuals offer limited insight and detail of the washers and seals involved. (also, the Haynes manual refers to the upper ball joint eccentric as a "spring washer"  . The only piece of literature I can think of is VW's workshop manual 2nd edition, but that of course is hard to come by.
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1992 VW Mexican Combi Bus
1978 VW Transporter |
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