Georgia Dubs
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

+5
fluxcap
buggin70
Grifspop
rpm750
86vwgti8v
9 posters

Page 1 of 2 1, 2  Next

Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by 86vwgti8v Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:18 am

I been searching and I turned up some very useful info. I am just wondering if anyone has something they woulnd't mind sharing. I will also bee installing adjusters while I am in there.

Do I need some sort of new bearings to go along with this?

Errybody like pics
Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam 2011-06-02_17-05-40_959

DONK!! (gotta fix that)
86vwgti8v
86vwgti8v
Dub Nut

Number of posts : 317
Location : Greenville sc
Registration date : 2011-03-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by rpm750 Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:58 am

Yeah VW trends, now no longer published, had an article a few years ago......
http://www.vwtrendsweb.com/tech/0407vwt_beam_narrowing/index.html

If you have a Ball Joint Beam narrow it from the middle.
rpm750
rpm750
Dub God

Number of posts : 2258
Age : 59
Location : Out in the shop.
Registration date : 2008-11-11

http://forum.georgiadubs.com/

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by 86vwgti8v Sun Jun 05, 2011 12:06 pm

Thank you for that.
86vwgti8v
86vwgti8v
Dub Nut

Number of posts : 317
Location : Greenville sc
Registration date : 2011-03-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by Grifspop Sun Jun 05, 2011 5:19 pm

Here's another build thread for a narrowed beam, these guys narrow the beam without welding in 4 places, they slot the beam and weld it in 2 places:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=394692&highlight=narrowed+beam+cut
Grifspop
Grifspop
Dub God

Number of posts : 2323
Location : Someplace you wouldn't think to look
Registration date : 2009-04-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by 86vwgti8v Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:44 am

I think I'm going to go for the 2nd option. there is some missing information from it but I think I can figure it out...
86vwgti8v
86vwgti8v
Dub Nut

Number of posts : 317
Location : Greenville sc
Registration date : 2011-03-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by 86vwgti8v Mon Jun 06, 2011 8:01 pm

Got a few questions, If anyone could answer them I would greatly appreciate it.

1)The locators for the steering box. SHould I grind them smooth and just tighten down the box after its in the car where it will seat? also will it not interfere witht he grease fitting?
Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam 2011-06-06_18-08-22_651

2)The steering dampner mount thingy, If I narrow the beam 6 inches should Imove that 3? I beleive it will be close to the side if I do that.
EDIT: after re reading the write up it states to do this.....
Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam 2011-06-06_18-08-15_840

3) strut tower thingies. cut em off and weld it back solid and sturdy?

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam 2011-06-06_18-08-40_133

4) is the sway bar a wash? just cut it off?

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam 2011-06-06_18-08-48_462
86vwgti8v
86vwgti8v
Dub Nut

Number of posts : 317
Location : Greenville sc
Registration date : 2011-03-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by buggin70 Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:38 pm

Save it when you narrow the tie rods the sway bar fits in the tie rods perfect
buggin70
buggin70
Out of Control Dubber

Number of posts : 1956
Age : 32
Location : canton
Registration date : 2009-09-26

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by 86vwgti8v Tue Jun 07, 2011 4:05 am

Ok what about the steering box locators?
86vwgti8v
86vwgti8v
Dub Nut

Number of posts : 317
Location : Greenville sc
Registration date : 2011-03-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by fluxcap Tue Jun 07, 2011 4:43 am

I ground mine off and tacked some new ones in place.
fluxcap
fluxcap
Dub Lieutenant General

Number of posts : 3857
Location : Newnan, GA
Registration date : 2008-07-20

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by 86vwgti8v Tue Jun 07, 2011 5:54 am

Cool, thanks errbody! Wish me luck!
86vwgti8v
86vwgti8v
Dub Nut

Number of posts : 317
Location : Greenville sc
Registration date : 2011-03-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by bakertim2 Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:36 am

The steering box locators will come right off with a little persuasion with an air chisel. Then just move them over and weld them back on.
bakertim2
bakertim2
Dub God

Number of posts : 3230
Age : 58
Location : Dallas, Ga.
Registration date : 2008-10-16

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by 86vwgti8v Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:39 am

Air chisel, the one tool I don't have acess to. Going old school, hammer and chisel.
86vwgti8v
86vwgti8v
Dub Nut

Number of posts : 317
Location : Greenville sc
Registration date : 2011-03-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by 86vwgti8v Tue Jun 07, 2011 9:12 am

What about the bump stops? Move them, remove them, let em be?
86vwgti8v
86vwgti8v
Dub Nut

Number of posts : 317
Location : Greenville sc
Registration date : 2011-03-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by callahan Tue Jun 07, 2011 10:25 am

86vwgti8v wrote:What about the bump stops? Move them, remove them, let em be?

bump stops are for suckas!
callahan
callahan
Out of Control Dubber

Number of posts : 1271
Age : 33
Location : Acworth, GA
Registration date : 2010-02-06

https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1030359664

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by 86vwgti8v Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:10 am

Lol!
86vwgti8v
86vwgti8v
Dub Nut

Number of posts : 317
Location : Greenville sc
Registration date : 2011-03-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by rpm750 Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:57 am

Looked at the thread, looks like ya cut those off flush with what was the shock tower those will be cut off also.
rpm750
rpm750
Dub God

Number of posts : 2258
Age : 59
Location : Out in the shop.
Registration date : 2008-11-11

http://forum.georgiadubs.com/

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by 86vwgti8v Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:35 pm

About to notch and saw it.
I need, to get some pics...made a ghetto jig that should make life easier.
86vwgti8v
86vwgti8v
Dub Nut

Number of posts : 317
Location : Greenville sc
Registration date : 2011-03-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by drewBAKER Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:05 pm

yea i agree with callahan on this one that bump stops are for losers. you need to notch your spring plates.
drewBAKER
drewBAKER
Dub Crazy

Number of posts : 707
Age : 31
Location : Dallas
Registration date : 2009-02-27

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by 86vwgti8v Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:03 pm

here ya go..

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam 2011-06-07_12-47-48_408
Ghetto jig.

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam 2011-06-07_12-48-00_376
Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam 2011-06-07_13-02-27_744
Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam 2011-06-07_13-10-14_253
Laid out the slout and the cuts using the mill off the original center.


Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam 2011-06-07_14-39-57_688
Bolted it up to the jig

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam 2011-06-07_15-53-34_918
tah dah!!

gonna finish grinding and paint it tomorrow. will also do the tie rods tomorrow.
86vwgti8v
86vwgti8v
Dub Nut

Number of posts : 317
Location : Greenville sc
Registration date : 2011-03-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by Grifspop Tue Jun 07, 2011 7:49 pm

Remember, don't shorten the torsion leaves from one side, shorten both sides by 1/2 the amount

Some people have tried to get away with shortening one side, and their car sits higher on one side

Grifspop
Grifspop
Dub God

Number of posts : 2323
Location : Someplace you wouldn't think to look
Registration date : 2009-04-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by 86vwgti8v Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:23 am

I did shorten both sides but why would that make the car sit higher? As long as you put a dimple back in the middle...correct?
86vwgti8v
86vwgti8v
Dub Nut

Number of posts : 317
Location : Greenville sc
Registration date : 2011-03-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by rpm750 Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:37 am

86vwgti8v wrote:I did shorten both sides but why would that make the car sit higher? As long as you put a dimple back in the middle...correct?

I'm asking that same question. Dimple in the middle leaves same tension/spring on both sides, even if you left one side in its og position and made a new dimple in the middle and cut off all excess from one side.
rpm750
rpm750
Dub God

Number of posts : 2258
Age : 59
Location : Out in the shop.
Registration date : 2008-11-11

http://forum.georgiadubs.com/

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by fluxcap Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:14 pm

I think it has to do with the fact that on a stock beam, the center is of the leafpack is held stationary by the grub screw. The center of the pack never flexes and stays stiff. The further from the center you move, the more the leaf pack twists and weakens over time. Therefore if you cut the same amount off of each end, the flex/wear on each end will be the same. If you only cut one side, the uncut side would probably be weaker and sit a little lower. The side you cut will be closer to the original center of the leaves and probably be a little bit stronger.
fluxcap
fluxcap
Dub Lieutenant General

Number of posts : 3857
Location : Newnan, GA
Registration date : 2008-07-20

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by 86vwgti8v Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:23 pm

Makes sense...
86vwgti8v
86vwgti8v
Dub Nut

Number of posts : 317
Location : Greenville sc
Registration date : 2011-03-14

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by fluxcap Wed Jun 08, 2011 3:26 pm

86vwgti8v wrote:Makes sense...
well that's just my guess on it. No idea if it's correct or not Laughing

Nice job on your beam!
fluxcap
fluxcap
Dub Lieutenant General

Number of posts : 3857
Location : Newnan, GA
Registration date : 2008-07-20

Back to top Go down

Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam Empty Re: Traditional question, anyone have a decent DIY for narrowing a beam

Post by Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Page 1 of 2 1, 2  Next

Back to top


 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum