[T3] Front Axle Beam

[matthew Stanfield <vw70t3@earthlink.net>]

<x-flowed>Since i was not getting very far with my fuel pump today, and being  
mildly inspired by Keith's Tech Session at the Invasion, i decided to  
have a closer look at my front axle beam today. It is amazing how  
much clearer things are when you have some idea what you are looking  
at. I located all four grease fittings, though i did have some  
trouble finding the left lower one as it is on the back of the beam  
whereas the right lower one is on the front.

I had been considering taking the beam off this winter for a thorough  
going over, but i may need to reconsider that now. For one thing, i  
would like to solve the fuel pump problem and get the car running  
first. For another thing, the beam has what may be some serious  
problems. I am hoping to get some feed back here.

First of all, only the right lower rubber stop is present. This would  
explain why i have to jack it up so high to get the wheels off the  
ground.

Secondly the "mushrooms" that are meant to hold the rubber stops on  
are all missing (except probably the right lower since it is still on).

Both of these two problems, if i remember from the Invasion  
correctly, can be rectified.

Lastly, of what i looked at today, the bottom portion of the left ear  
that holds the rubber stops is almost completely rusted away. This  
does not seem like there would be much of a fix for this short of  
replacing the beam? I know Keith mentioned that welding on the beams  
can be problematic because of all the grease in there. I have a  
feeling that this much deterioration due to rust may be indicative of  
other rust problems associated with the front beam. Although i did  
not see anything else this bad, it is my understanding that under the  
clamps can susceptible to rust as well.

Although i will not get to it for a while, i thought i might bring it  
up now while it was all fresh on my mind.

matthewNstanfield
1970 VWfastBack
mansfield, OHio
home.earthlink.net/~vw70t3/




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