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toddcochran Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Loma Linda, CA
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 8:38 pm Post subject: Front Suspension for my Sandrail |
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I am putting together a sandrail. I got a frame off CraigsList and it's set up for IRS rear and link pin front. There is a 40" bare front beam on it that was set up for extended trailing arms so there are no grub screws for spring leaves.
I also bought a VW pan that had a 40" beam which does have adjusters and leaves, but I don't think it is set up right. There is a space where the leaves show on the end of the beam. Also, I think they welded the rack mount at the completely wrong angle.
If I get it set up correctly would the torsion front beam be an acceptable front end? Or should I sell it as a complete front end and save up for all the pieces needed for the coilover front end.
Any and all advice appreciated.
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Aerindel Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2015 Posts: 459 Location: Western Montana
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 11:07 pm Post subject: Re: Front Suspension for my Sandrail |
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Well, the great thing about building your own vehicle is that you can make it just the way you want it.
But many many people are completely happy with torsion bar front ends. _________________ Homemade woods/street, bug out rail. IRS, Balljoint front end. 1967 1600cc DP, Weber 32/36 progressive, tri-mil quiet pack. Rear only cutting brakes.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=630046 |
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B Ramsey Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2006 Posts: 477 Location: Ramona ca.
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 7:53 am Post subject: Re: Front Suspension for my Sandrail |
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looks like you are missing some leaves. easy fix.
completely acceptable front end, why would you think its not? probably 80% or more vw rails have beam front ends. moore parts will have everything you need.
for the rack mount, I always angle it to fit the car, so the tie rods, steering shaft and frame all work together harmoniously. _________________ Go outside and do something. |
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Multi69s Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 5360 Location: Lefty, CA
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toddcochran Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Loma Linda, CA
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: Front Suspension for my Sandrail |
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I'm not really opposed to the beam style of front end. However this particular one is really heavy. Almost all my previous rails had no front brakes. So rather than trying to strip this one down, I think I'll sell it and look for a complete beam with just the spindles.
Time for CraigsList! |
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dustymojave Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007 Posts: 5802 Location: Lake LA, Mojave Desert, SoCal
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 8:19 pm Post subject: Re: Front Suspension for my Sandrail |
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toddcochran wrote: |
I am putting together a sandrail. I got a frame off CraigsList and it's set up for IRS rear and link pin front. There is a 40" bare front beam on it that was set up for extended trailing arms so there are no grub screws for spring leaves.
I also bought a VW pan that had a 40" beam which does have adjusters and leaves, but I don't think it is set up right. There is a space where the leaves show on the end of the beam. Also, I think they welded the rack mount at the completely wrong angle.
If I get it set up correctly would the torsion front beam be an acceptable front end? Or should I sell it as a complete front end and save up for all the pieces needed for the coilover front end.
Any and all advice appreciated. |
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...that was set up for extended trailing arms so there are no grub screws for spring leaves. |
That beam was set up for coilover shocks like Fox or King. Through rods would be used to hold the arms in place. The towers need to also be designed to fit coilovers or it won't work.
This beam
Yep...leaves are missing out of the upper tube. Dangerous thing to do! Almost certainly done because the aftermarket leaves they put in it were too stiff for their liking. Replacing them with stock leaves, at least in one of the tubes, would probably be better. But you won't know for sure how stiff is too stiff until the car is all together and you can test drive it. Keep in mind that a beam front suspension feels stiff at low speed then gets working better as you go faster.
I agree that the rack mount is probably not right. Easy to cut off and install a new bracket.
Here's Skidmark's rack mount for an idea of where it should mount at.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1...;start=320
Page 17 is the part about installing the rack mount.
Note that Steve tacked a couple of pieces of angle iron to the bottom of the rack brackets. Then the angle iron is hose clamped in place to allow the rack to be moved around until the bump steer is at a minimum. _________________ Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet. |
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