Thing front end rebuild

Bucky · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 62 Location: Spokane, WA

I've been rebuilding my front end for a few weeks
(unforseen parts hunting make it a slow process).
Thought I would cover the ups and downs here for
anyone intrested.

I was going to just replace the trailing arm bushings
and all the ball joints, but someone suggested I pull
the whole beam to check it out because it looked so rusty.

I got it out and decided it wasn't that bad but I like the
idea of doing it right and complete. so I wire brushed it,
I don't have access to media blasting(soon). I was going
to Por-15 it but couldnt find any easily in spokane(if any one
knows where to get it here let me know), so I coated it
with rust inhibitor and then coated it a few times with truck bed liner.

I took the t-arms to a guy I know in post falls to have him replace the ball joints. I got the new ball joints from a friend in NY, http://www.thingsunlimited.net/, He gives me great prices.

I got the t-arms back and went to install them and realized a few problems. Someone had already fiddle with this front end and replaced the ball joints with bug ball joints, which means it has different eccentric bushings. Also my post falls guy pressed the bottom ball joints into the top arms and visa versa. So I took them back to him to get it right, no problem with him. I have the eccentric bushings coming form NY. I did get the beam back in

With a home made bearing puller, a 50mm washer with two sides cut flat and a small slide hammer, I replaced the torsion bar/trailing arm bearings.
Once I get the e-bushings and retrive the t-arms I'll finish the beam end of the deal. I was thinking I may pull the brakes and truck bed line the backing plates and knuckles. I've already rebuilt the whole brake system last summer. I have new shocks, Kybs, front and back and a new steering dampner. I'll post the finishing touches later.

ONEBADBUG · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 440 Location: Spokane

You can get por 15 at pro finishes.
I found a guy in Podunk Falls that does media blasting, he does a great job.
Lake City Blasting 208-755-0064
Steve

Bucky · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 62 Location: Spokane, WA

What do you think about the Truck bed liner? I put at least three coats on. I'm going to pick up the T-arms tomorrow.

ONEBADBUG · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 440 Location: Spokane

I thought doing bedliner would be really cool for my beetle, I had the running boards done and they are still perfect, but when I tried to use the spray-on stuff from Napa, it didn't work worth a damn.

Bucky · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 62 Location: Spokane, WA

Did you go to the meeting?
I wanted to, my daughter had dance class at 7:00 and I had to take her.
Any new people?

I stopped at that shop on 53 the other day and realized it was Erics. I can get lots of parts for my busses from Him.

lets do a cruse or something.