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61 Bug
Jun 29, 2015 8:42:00 GMT -8
Post by Wongai on Jun 29, 2015 8:42:00 GMT -8
Hey guys, I've been intending to get this project posted for quite a while. Being that I'm a little spastic, I need to focus all my VW time on the car, not the computer. Here are some photos to kick things off. I have leaned a lot from this project. It's been a great journey. This car needed a fair bit of welding, but it is now rust free and sealed up. All four corners needed a lot of work, but the passenger rear corner was a total mess. With the help of my awesome neighbor, I got it all cut out, patched and painted. I color matched all three layers of paint just as it was done in the factory. The bad news is that the front beam on this thing is a problem. Camber problems (spindle related I think) and also the shock towers are in the way due to the drop. I'm currently trying to decide if I should cut the towers off or just buy a new beam without towers. I was hoping to have this thing ready for volksfest, but after working on it all winter, I don't feel the need to start rushing at this point. Sorry for the few/lame pictures. I have not used this forum enough to know how to post more and larger pics. More to come! Keep in mind that I'm not a pro, so please excuse any amateur mistakes you see here. I'm open to feedback if anyone sees anything that I fouled up. Thanks again to all of you for all your help with my projects. PEACE! B
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61 Bug
Jun 29, 2015 8:54:38 GMT -8
Post by Wongai on Jun 29, 2015 8:54:38 GMT -8
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61 Bug
Jun 29, 2015 8:56:24 GMT -8
Post by Wongai on Jun 29, 2015 8:56:24 GMT -8
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61 Bug
Jun 29, 2015 9:32:19 GMT -8
Post by mitchy965 on Jun 29, 2015 9:32:19 GMT -8
got any pictures of the beam assembled with the offending spindle or ?
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61 Bug
Jul 1, 2015 8:42:48 GMT -8
Post by Wongai on Jul 1, 2015 8:42:48 GMT -8
I know you cant really judge camber from the side of the tire, but it's enough out of whack that one can see it plainly even without the square in place. The offsets at the end of the trailing arm are right in the middle of the chart and the shims are appropriate. This tells me that the problem is with the spindles or carriers. I did buy new spindles, but I wont be able to return them if I try them so it's an expensive experiment. The space between the shock towers is about 1 inch too narrow. Any thoughts would be much welcome. If anyone has a narrowed beam with no towers for sale, I'm very interested! Thanks all!!
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61 Bug
Jul 1, 2015 9:31:50 GMT -8
Post by stude on Jul 1, 2015 9:31:50 GMT -8
I have a stock spindle and carrier used and together still plus I have a set of new drop spindles not installed on carriers no disk brake type that is what you have right if you do the running around to get them machined to fit I will pay for machine work you can try them for fit and if you want I'll sell them to you at cost. Also can you just cut the towers off our friend in Vic says that they ride better with no shocks I haven't tried it but I do believe it. You know we have had this discussion before about your beam sounds like your still not sure if it is the beam the carrier or the spindle or those stupid arms whatever there called where have you been lately you have been quiet car is look great. Terry
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61 Bug
Jul 1, 2015 10:30:53 GMT -8
Post by Wongai on Jul 1, 2015 10:30:53 GMT -8
Thanks Stude! As usual, your generosity is much appreciated. Johnny Main also offered me a stock beam all assembled in trade for my set up, but I'm going with the dropped and narrowed groove. I was thinking about cutting the towers off and likely will just do that. Was not planning on using them anyways. I've rolled in Johnny's oval with no front shocks. Seems to ride just fine. The camber issue got slapped to the back burner as I was preoccupied by the body work and my crazy day job. Now I'm ready to tackle it again.
I have a set of new spindles that I think I should just have to man up and try. I really think it has to be the spindles.
Thanks again for being so willing to help a guy out. I'm at the point on this project where a couple of quick wins will really get this ball rolling.
PEACE!
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61 Bug
Jul 1, 2015 18:08:25 GMT -8
Post by stude on Jul 1, 2015 18:08:25 GMT -8
Hey Johnny that is the guy you know you should just pull the beam and detail it anyway and check that it is straight you I can tell you if it is not straight you could grind the welds out and straighten it with out pulling it apart I have done it.The stock spindle would at least tell you if it is the beam is straight or not if Johnny has the ream he could beam us all up. T
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61 Bug
Aug 18, 2015 14:47:12 GMT -8
Post by Wongai on Aug 18, 2015 14:47:12 GMT -8
I just heard from another shop in the USA. I'll leave their name out of it. The guy insisted that I (like them) should shim to fix my camber. I told him that I felt he was incorrect and pointed out that even when we used all the shims on one side and none on the other, it was still not enough to bring it vertical. But he insisted on referring me to the offset chart over and over again. He wouldn't listen so I thanks him for his time and moved on. Frustrating. I wonder how many dropped bugs are not shimmed right. I see many with camber problems.
Anywho, camping to do, no time for bugs!
B
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61 Bug
Aug 18, 2015 14:49:03 GMT -8
Post by Wongai on Aug 18, 2015 14:49:03 GMT -8
Hey Johnny that is the guy you know you should just pull the beam and detail it anyway and check that it is straight you I can tell you if it is not straight you could grind the welds out and straighten it with out pulling it apart I have done it.The stock spindle would at least tell you if it is the beam is straight or not if Johnny has the ream he could beam us all up. T Hey Stude, Can you please expand on what you mean by "grind the welds out and straighten it with out pulling it apart "? I'm sorry for the slow reply. I apparently suck at keeping up with forums. Thanks my friend! Byron
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61 Bug
Aug 19, 2015 6:30:08 GMT -8
Post by stude on Aug 19, 2015 6:30:08 GMT -8
Byron I had the adjusters in already so I didn't have to pull it apart to get them in I took a zip disk and ground around and threw the welds all the way around an readjusted them and welded them back up I did it so I could get a lower ride I had to do all 4 welds you may get away with doing just 2 to get it straight a straightedge or angle iron on it and be able to straighten it and weld it back the grease in there was not a problem. You would have to pull it off the car and put a straightedge on it before you start and see if it is actually crooked those 2 beams should be straight. I will post a picture later today. Terry
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61 Bug
Aug 20, 2015 8:46:51 GMT -8
Post by stude on Aug 20, 2015 8:46:51 GMT -8
Byron let's figure this you you have a narrowed beam with drop drum spindle with camber issue it looks like you have had it out a few times and how narrow is it? Where was it narrowed in the middle or on the ends? Was it in the car before?Is this the setup you want to end up with?Is the camber issue on both sides?Have you put a straightedge on it the picture at top shows where you could put one the tape on the rule shows area that could be ground out to clear adjusters.The cut re-drilled spring leafs could be seated off or drilled off. Wanting to here it is fun when someone else is doing the work. Terry
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61 Bug
Aug 20, 2015 10:15:50 GMT -8
Post by mitchy965 on Aug 20, 2015 10:15:50 GMT -8
indeed terry,great fun! i would also measure from center out to each tube end,insulator and trailing arm grub screw on all 4 tubes. maybe switch the upper leaves with the lower to see what,if anything changes. its easy to blame the wrong component (spindle) if some other item is wacko.
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61 Bug
Aug 26, 2015 9:09:44 GMT -8
Post by stude on Aug 26, 2015 9:09:44 GMT -8
We are not getting much done in this department are we mitchy965 looks like the beam was cut at the ends not sure if that is an old beam cut or a new fabrication but the re-drilled spring leafs you would set exactly where the trailing arms sit regardless how long or short the tubes are but measuring them would let you know if it is off square or not and that is a good idea to switch the leafs from top to bottom you could do that by pulling one side apart and unbolting the grub screws I think you could pull the spindle and drum intact and just have to remove the brake line wheel and speedo cable depending on what side you work from plus the shock you don't have to pull all the leafs just the top ones are we are making this easy enough for you Wongai. Fun with Wongai T
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61 Bug
Aug 27, 2015 6:09:00 GMT -8
Post by Wongai on Aug 27, 2015 6:09:00 GMT -8
Thanks for the clarification Stude. I really appreciate that you would take the time to help me out. Again, Sorry for the slow reply. I think some of the thread update notifications are not getting through my spam filter.
Here are my answers to your questions...
how narrow is it? - 4 inches narrowed Where was it narrowed in the middle or on the ends? - It's a new CIP beam manufactured narrowed. Was it in the car before? - No, brand new. Is this the setup you want to end up with? - Yes, other than the Is the camber issue, I like the stance of the car. Have you put a straightedge on it the picture ... - No, I have not done this straight edge test. I'll be sure to check that out.
Thanks again for the clarification.
B
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