Recently changed the front beam to a second hand descent nick one. And it seems there are no inner torsion arm bushes present. Cannot for the life of me get the ones out of my old beam. How do I resolve this? Thanks Here's a pic of the inside of the new beam with apparent missing bushes.
I don't think putting in new ones is anywhere as bad as taking out old ones (I haven't done it but I read about it and decided the old ones were fine), I think they're a hard plastic (micarta) that will breakup anyway so unlikely to be reusable. I sure someone with non virtual experience (what we used to have before tinternet) will be along shortly.
One method I've heard of - if I'm thinking of the same thing - is to get a long length of copper pipe, flatten and curve one end, then use it as a long drift by putting it in the opposite side and tapping them out.
It's the secondary bush, (not the needle bearing one) It has some sort of plastic type outer material with a metal inner collar. Seems like they aren't made anymore.
The guys new beam doesn't have any, so something is needed. I'd speak to manufacturers of new beams and see what they use, might be able to help supplying them too.
Found a replacement that will remove tbe need for needle bearings also. Just wish I hadn't already bought them.... http://www.coolairvw.co.uk/Item/Sho...4220/NCA_T2_68-79_Urethane_Beam_Bush_Kit.html
Legend has it that these are a bit poop compared to the orginals. Squeaky springs to mind. If you can fit your needle bearings I would.
It's not the needle bearings I'm after its the bearing on the inner, about 6inches in. Any help with that?
I'm going to machine some out of aluminium to remove the need for the baker lite outer and metal collar inner and make one complete ring i can pull in. I think aluminium is the best material? anyone's opinion on this, i was tempted with brass but think aluminium a better option.
I wouldn't use Aluminium Alloy for a bush like that, the steel will cause it to pick up and bind - you would be better going for Phosphor Bronze, that's more suited to bushes etc. Aircraft landing gear use Aluminium Alloy for the Actuator housing, Phosphor Bronze for the bushes and 300M or 15/5 PH Steel for the Actuator rod.
Probably not being that helpful, but the Bentley workshop manual says: Chapter 2, Page 18 -- Front Axle
Pop in the urethane inners and use the needle bearings on the outside. or just go all urethane I have urethane outers on the beetle, well greased they don't squeek but they do wear (2 sets in 15 years). As said above if I was machining my own it would probably be Nylon (just for ease of getting hold of the stock).
Thanks all, @rhona , @MarcT512 - sadly had a new second hand beam with broken bushes :-( @zed @MorkC68 I have found these? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Superflex...766?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35da00713e
