[T3] My ambitous Notchback project... and an axle beam question.

[Tunaitis@aol.com]

    I bought my Notch less than two months ago and it quickly found its way 
into the garage (displacing the New Beetle) to undergo emergency surgery for 
loose flywheel syndrome.   But, what happens when you rescue a lovable old 3 
and find something wrong every time you look underneath the car?    
    Well,  what started out as a simple clutch repair is now a restoration in 
full swing.  I wanted to resto the car later...  but my Notch's begging for 
attention brought the project on earlier than expected!
     As of right now the interior, a nightmarish Honda seat and all-weather 
carpet "custom" combo from the 80's, has been removed and discarded.  The 
floor has been welded, the engine is out, and the front suspension is 
dismantled.  So far, so good!  Everything is looking great and has repaired 
easily...  the Notch is recovering from the cruelty of sadistic PO's!

    My current focus is the front suspension.  The left side was somewhat 
difficult to disassemble -- it seems that front suspension components that 
have been put together for thirty-odd years take exception to being 
separated.  I finished disassembling the right side last night.  When I 
removed the upper torsion arm,  I found the sealing surface of the aluminum 
bushing is busted  (BTW, is this bushing and the needle bearing an integrated 
piece?).   A piece of the lip (about 3/4") has broken away.   Can this be 
repaired?  If not, are these aluminum bushings available?
    I'm hoping somebody who is experienced in replacing/repairing these 
bushings (upper and lower) can give me some pointers on how to extract the 
old parts, and where I can find new parts and grease seals.  Should I even be 
concerned with the uppers?  Aren't the lowers most prone to wear?

        This project is a lot of work...  but it's a very worthy cause!
            Thanks for the help!
        -- Mike
    

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