Suffice to say the tasks did not go as planned.
The idea was to remove James' front beam, bolt on his new narrowed Slamwerks version, bolt everything back together including dropped spindles, Porsche pattern disc brakes and a pair of Flat 4 Fuchs.
On the rear we had planned to lower it one spline either side, put on some adapters and pop the other 2 Fuchs on.
Well that was the plan anyway.
James had already done a great job of removing the front brakes, tank, trailing arms and he'd taken the dropped spindles to get pressed onto the carriers. He had also got the wheels ready with new tyres. His stumbling point was the front beam. The 2 bolts on the nearside that hold the beam to frame head were totally seized.
So on Saturday I popped over to lend a hand. A few hours later we had used a shed load of penetrant spray, had burnt eyebrows from the over use of a blow tourch, and our ears were ringing from the striking sounds of hammer on metal. We even tried the old scaffold bar over the already quite lengthy wrench. The bolts weren't having any of it and were showing signs of rounding off. In the end we found ourselves picking out metal embers from our skin after resorting to use an angle grinder to take the bolt heads off. So we did actually get the beam off - but now we have to drill and tap the remaining bolts out.
At this point we decided to investigate the rear suspension. After taking 2 hours to remove one spring plate cover, we discovered more seized metal!
James was fit to give up, as was I to be honest. He was either going to burn the car or start crying (possibly both). He even said something about selling it!
Luckily though, just as we were packing up for the day, he decided to mock fit his freshly detailed Fuchs under an arch. Instant inspiration!
So now he is NOT selling it (and hopefully not burning it) and we are going to persevere!
Watch this space for an update and see if we finally get the Peene Machine into the weeds!
Related content
Detailed polished Fuchs
Eberspacher
heater
New
engine video
Vege engine install
New
engine
New Ragtop Cover
New carpet for the Bug
Beetle narrowed beam
Disc
brakes from machine 7
Hotwired
Ragtop Day
'62 Ragtop Bug
Have your say!
Latest comments
Owen Young
July 20 10:51
i found the best way is to take a deep breath count to ten & go to the pub, then try again the next day.
Giles Marchant
July 14 19:59
Sounds like a right polova!Still, its all part of the fun! I spent a weekend lowering my bug, only to find it down on one side when i let it off the jack. After rebuilding the suspension several times over the next few weekends and each time having the same problem same problem, i too was ready to burn my car! How i laughed when i discovered the flat back tyre!!! Hope it goes ok. it'll be worth it!