IM Front Beam bushing removal?

That doesn't make sense; you'd deform the cage. They're not easy to get out (most people devise their own puller) but they can be removed.

Of course...

but have you done it on an IM?

Unless you get the 911 suspension, I think all IMs use standard VW.

Regular beam. No 911

It's crazy why any bearing with load on it would be welded in place ie unserviceable.

heard from someone that the bearing are 'spot welded' in. That's different

Here's a possible "read":

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/for...ght=urethane+bushing

I read that thread last nite. very interesting. He's probably got a bolt off beam. Damn IM beams are WELDED to the frame.

If it was a bolt on I would've had it off and replaced like RIGHT OFF THE BAT. Ridiculous that they would make them almost unserviceable..just stupid. How are you suppose to shim it? Dumb. Sorry Henry but cmon'...

Unusual cut-away of front beam assembly...may help w/ visualization...

http://www.vwdcqinc.org.au/vwd...nsideafrontaxle.html

That belongs in the "knowledge" section of this site....  A very good find Scott....

Moose:

I've done a lot of Vw front ends and those inner bearings are NOT welded in.  Think about it.....how are you going to get a welding rod in there and accurately tack them?   In the 1960's??  

Once they are positioned at the factory the torsion tube is peened in a couple of spots to hold them in place- that's it.  If you have a slide hammer bearing puller they'll come right out.  If not, get a suitably-sized piece of pipe and drive them farther in a few inches (2-3" is all it takes) and forgetaboutdem.

They're plastic/bakelight.  How do you weld plastic to steel?

Some beams have needle bearings.

Ok, you’ve got trialing arms off both sides of the beam. Put a rod through the beam from one side to the other and catch the lip of the bearing on the opposite side and drive it out with a mallet.

This isn’t rocket science, it’s that simple!

____

One of you stated the beam is welded to the frame…, and real 356’s are too.

- Anyway, does the beam have any caster that’s notably visible?

- Is the bottom of the beam at the same level / height as the bottom of the car?

I’ve crawled under a few IM’s…, their pretty well thought out.

David   /   dd-ardvark

My IM is an 86 model and the front beam was bolted on and not welded on.  I welded in adjusters once and in doing so ruined the bakelite bushes.  So I chipped the remainder of them out with a hammer and long screwdriver and then pried out the needle bearings.  I then used the red plastic bearings, the long ones that don't have inner and outer bearings.  I went through two sets of these but they never fit right, there was always some play no matter what I did and the car would wander and could not be aligned.  I then gave up and bought a new beam with needle bearings and the inner bakelite bearings, bolted that one on and got rid of the old beam.  I'm kind of surprised your IM has the beam welded in place as the usual frame they make does not.