I have a sparkafer from 1969 with new restored 1984 body(unfortunately,I was forced to change the original body because of a seriouse crash accident)...and I want to make it lower in the front
I intend to buy a adjustable front axle beam but I have no experience in replace it...
I don´t know if the new adjustable front beam has included on it the torsion bars or other components,and I want to know also if can I use the old components of the stock axle beam...
thank you for youre answers
You can buy them complete (for a bunch more money) but typically adjustable beams are sold "bare". They have the needle bearings and bushings in place, but you need to transfer your dust seals, zerk fittings, torsion leaves, and control arms into them.
ok,thanks!!!
I will buy from CSP the axle beam as it is and I will put on it the parts from the other beam...
I have one more question...after the crash the front beam has fissured(specialy the rod from down)and I'd like to know if the torsion rod from inside has beeen bented(do I have to buy a new torsion rod?)
The spring leaves will usually remain usable if the beam isn't severely bent. It's the control arms on the bent side you need to worry about. When you take them out, inspect the surfaces where the needle bearings and bushings ride; if they look OK (a light polishing may be in order) then the next test is to install the control arms in a straight beam - or perhaps the other end of the bent one - with no springs. If they don't slide right in and pivot freely, you won't want to use them.
VW had a special fixture that could be used to check control arms for straightness (once upon a time every dealer had one) but in my experience when the outer part is bent enough to be a problem the inner part will be bent enough that the above test will reveal it.
