Front beam refurb.

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Rob-type3
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Joined: 22nd April 2018 - 11:40am

Front beam refurb.

Post by Rob-type3 » 28th April 2018 - 8:15pm

Just bought a fastback project it’s all stripped down already so want to start cleaning and refurbing parts.

Are there all new parts available for the front beam and if so what do I need. I’m new to type 3s so any help/pointers will help hugely!!
1964 Notchback
1970 Fastback

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Editor
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Joined: 10th October 2004 - 8:52pm
Location: Pensford, Bristol
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Re: Front beam refurb.

Post by Editor » 29th April 2018 - 1:25am

Front beam: check the suspension ball joint rubber boots for damage. If torn the joint has probably got road grit in it and need replacing. It's not very easy to check for wear when disassembled. OTOH it's easier to replace them when apart.
Unless care was taken to compress the torsion arms together to relieve the tension when removing them from the knuckle, the special HT bolts will have damaged threads. These are 10.8 bolts and have longer than standard shoulders. You may have to buy over-length and cut some thread off.
Upper needle roller bearings in the tubes are hard to find. Lower are same as (some?) Beetles. Hopefully yours are OK.
Torsion arms can wear on their inner end. New arms are rare.
Steering dampers are available.
Track-rod ends are available (narrow taper up to '67, thicker after) except the short angled track-rod end at the steering arm, which is rare.
Check the clamping mount isn't worn away from road contact if it had been lowered.
Check the anti-roll bar end with the dimple for the clamping screw. The dimples can get elongated and the adjustment won't stay correct.
Dave.

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Rob-type3
Posts: 24
Joined: 22nd April 2018 - 11:40am

Re: Front beam refurb.

Post by Rob-type3 » 29th April 2018 - 11:17am

Editor wrote:
29th April 2018 - 1:25am
Front beam: check the suspension ball joint rubber boots for damage. If torn the joint has probably got road grit in it and need replacing. It's not very easy to check for wear when disassembled. OTOH it's easier to replace them when apart.
Unless care was taken to compress the torsion arms together to relieve the tension when removing them from the knuckle, the special HT bolts will have damaged threads. These are 10.8 bolts and have longer than standard shoulders. You may have to buy over-length and cut some thread off.
Upper needle roller bearings in the tubes are hard to find. Lower are same as (some?) Beetles. Hopefully yours are OK.
Torsion arms can wear on their inner end. New arms are rare.
Steering dampers are available.
Track-rod ends are available (narrow taper up to '67, thicker after) except the short angled track-rod end at the steering arm, which is rare.
Check the clamping mount isn't worn away from road contact if it had been lowered.
Check the anti-roll bar end with the dimple for the clamping screw. The dimples can get elongated and the adjustment won't stay correct.

Thanks for the reply! I’d say I’d need to replace most of it as want to do a propper job! Where’s best to purchase the parts from?
1964 Notchback
1970 Fastback

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Editor
Posts: 5515
Joined: 10th October 2004 - 8:52pm
Location: Pensford, Bristol
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Re: Front beam refurb.

Post by Editor » 15th May 2018 - 11:43pm

GSF may have them, or Machine 7, Heritage, eBay, or here on the forum.
Dave.

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