Homemade Tool

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I have a 72 VW bug that is undergoing a front suspension modification, and the bloody thing isnt cooperating. I purchased a bare beam that I shortened by 4 inches, and installed adjusters on as well. My plan is to modify and re-use the original spring packs and control arms from the original beam, The upper control arms slid right out, as well as the spring pack, and the lower passenger control arm came out with no issues. The problem is the drivers side control arm, and the spring pack are somehow bound up and wont budge. I came up with the idea of a slide hammer attachment which seemed logical, but in the end still wasnt able to do the job. Anyway, here are pics of the tool I made.Here is the Bug as it sits rightnow, a pain in the a$$ on jack stands. Here is the problematic control arm.Here is a closeup of the lip on the control arm that the slide hammer attaches to.Here is the toolHere it is on the armA closeup of how it attaches behind the lip.After about an hour of slide hammering, spraying PB Blaster, torch heat, and more hammering, I finally gave up. I am going to end up torching this thing apart, and ordering a new spring pack.QMiller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2
Reply:So, it actualy rotates but wont come off?Can you post a picture from other side of control arm (close)?
Reply:It moves up and down just fine. I believe the spring pack inside is binding it up. If you are familiar with VW bugs, the front spring is actually made up of a bunch of straight leafs, and usually sit in place as a single unit. Well when I pulled the control arm off the other side, they spread out. That shouldnt happen. I think maybe one might have broken, and threw the others off. Anyway, Ill try and get some more pics later.Miller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2
Reply:You gave it s good try and even a better idea. The springs must have something serious going on inside the tube. I never had any trouble getting them apart before and I have puller well over hundreds apart over the years. If you have any wiring issuse Q, Let me know. I have the colored wiring diagrams for most older VW's like that, plus several manuals.Have funMiller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:There is something wrong in this picture anyway. You control arm goes into the beam, which from the pictures looks like unsuported console projecting downwards - the projection...I suggest you try this: when you are using your tool, apply and press firmly some heavy pice of steel against the hole above lower control arm. Like heavy hammer, dumbell, old brake rotor etc. There is a possibility that energy of your impacts wasted in bending the projection, rather on knocking out the arm...Last edited by Nomand; 07-21-2008 at 08:11 AM.
Reply:Maybe you just need a heavier weight on the tool cause it looks great. Anyway you should try taking them out and having them as a reserve, I´ve seen cars in which 1 or 2 leafs are broken and it sucks trying to buy them seperately. Shortened the axle 4 inches? it seems that you ain´t joining the baja club :PMy Babies: HF Drill pressHF Pipe Bender3   4.5" Black and Decker angle grindersLincoln Electric PROMIG 175that´s it!
Reply:The beam is bolted solid to the car, my impacts are pretty well focused on the control arm. The reality is I should not have to go to these lengths to remove it, there is a serious issue with the spring pack inside. I have made up my mind, and am going to break out the sawsall and cut through the entire beam and spring assembly to release the bound up pressure so I can at least salvage the control arm. I can pick up a spring pack for around 30 bucks. What sucks is I have to cut 2 inches off both ends of the spring packs to make them fit the narrowed beam.No offroading for this bug, just low and slow.Miller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2
Reply:Nice job on the tool....Did you plasma or flame cut it out? The close up pic of it on the control arm shows a really clean cut edge....nice. - Paulhttp://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Thanks Paul. I cut the pieces on the Plasma Cam, bent them in the mini press brake, and slapped a couple mig welds on it to hold it together. The Pcam gets all the credit for the nice cuts though.QMiller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2
Reply:Plasma Cam huh, You suck. Only kidding, Is it working out good?Oh good try on the puller, should have worked, sometimes things just don't.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Nice job on the homemade tool, I am restoring a 1970 Bug and am having trouble making a straight seat fit in the front took out the buckets.  I am a lot bigger now since I was 16 years old hahaa.
Reply:Not to sound stupid, but did you loosen the center bolts on the cross tubes that hold the springs?jim
Reply:Yes. Thats all I have to say to that question, since it would imply that I am an idiot. Miller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2
Reply:Originally Posted by QuciferYes. Thats all I have to say to that question, since it would imply that I am an idiot.
Reply:Originally Posted by tnjindPlasma Cam huh, You suck. Only kidding,