You may find you need a third arbor plate or something flat for occasional use on the topside to give a flat surface for the press to contact. Seems I usually have both of the supplied plates underneath for support. Sometimes horizontally, sometimes vertically, sometimes a little of both. =) Does take some creativity to support some odd shaped parts like control arms etc sometimes. I actually picked up an appropriately sized ~1/4 inch steel plate (couldn't find anything thicker the day I needed it) from a Lowe's that I use. I find it to be easier to work with on the top than the arbor's since it's lighter (it's also cheaper).
I wish I could direct you to a useful "press tool kit", but I have yet to find one that has large enough diameters for bearings/bushings on our cars I have found that an assortment of old wheel bearing shells, large sockets and even sections of pipe of various diameters work well. When you're doing a bushing or bearing for example and if simply spacing the two arbor plates underneath does not work well because of odd shaped arm/hub etc.... you'll need one socket/bearing shell or pipe section "just larger" than the bushing/bearing for support under the control arm/hub, and another about the same size as the bushing being replaced to press down from the top. Of course it needs to be "just smaller" so it can fall through the control arm/hub when your done. Basically I order the bearings/bushings and run around the garage with them (or sometimes hardware stores) looking for the right size to use during pressing before I pull the car apart. A "press tool kit" or similar would be ideal....but. Oh, on really nasty to get out bearings...those that just don't seem to want to start moving out of the hub...I have needed the help of my old friend the propane torch. Under $20 at Wal-mart and the power of expanding metal has provided just enough release to make the difference on a few occasions. FYI, as soon as it starts to move, the hard part is over and it always seems to slide out nicely from there. Hope this is helpful. Happy pressing! Steve Hauptmann South Carolina -----Original Message----- From: Les Noriel [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 2:16 PM To: Steven Hauptmann; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: RE: [a2-16v-list] RE: MKII Suspension options Thanks for confirming my thoughts. I was in Harbor Freight last week looking at that press along with the next size down which was the Desktop version. They also have two desktop mechanical versions but I don't think those would work with the rear trailing arm bushings. I think it was 6-10 ton. The press you mentioned included the X arbors. Are there other arbors or accessories that you found necessary? -Les -----Original Message----- From: Steven Hauptmann <[email protected]> Sent: May 16, 2005 8:47 AM To: 'Les Noriel' <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected] Subject: RE: [a2-16v-list] RE: MKII Suspension options My daily driver has H&R sport springs with Boge TG and it has been a very inexpensive and livable set-up for the past 100k+ miles. Performs admirably at track days as well. There are better handling set-ups (no arguments there), but as cheap, no fuss, daily driver, it's a darn good balance. Les, Regarding a shop press. I bought one of these a few years ago and it has paid for itself MANY times over. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=33497 I have done the wheel bearings and bushings on my Audi, the GTI and many of my friends cars as well. Doesn't take up too much room and is very easy to use. Very nice addition to the tool collection and gives great satisfaction of doing the job yourself. If you have the time, watch the website and you will see it go on sale for $89/$99. Still, it's well worth the asking price. My $0.02, Steve Hauptmann South Carolina -----Original Message----- From: Les Noriel [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 1:31 PM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Re: [a2-16v-list] RE: MKII Suspension options I'm currently rebuilding my entire Golf II 16V. In the suspension area I'm in the same boat. I wanted to refresh the entire suspension. I started by acquiring all of the bushings both front and rear. Since these have to be pressed in/out, I'm now comtemplating a small benchtop press or having it done. I opted not to get poly bushings because I eventually wanted this to be a daily driver. That also opted me out of Race spring setups. I'll be using older Suspension Techniques springs (Equivalent to Neuspeed SoftSports) and Bilstein Sports. I did find big improvement installing the Autotech Strut braces both front and rear. But I did not find such a big improvement using their front and rear sway bars. I actually had more difficult with the front sway bar because I kept breaking the links. I finally opted to return the stock 16V front. Of course, I'm also replacing ball joints, tie rods, bearings, etc. -Les Work still in progress -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] Sent: May 13, 2005 9:09 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [a2-16v-list] RE: MKII Suspension options "I don't see a whole lot of action on this list anymore, but figured I'd post this anways. There used to be some really good knowledege on here." Yeah, this list used to be like 60 something emails a day to almost none now. I wonder people switching to other cars or they know their car very much now and know to fix everything. "I just bought a 1991 GTI 16v (for $500!!) and I am looking into suspension options because Its shot." $500! Are you serious. Very good deal!! Good body and running condition? I have neuspeed lower springs and Boge Turbogas combo and I like it very much myself (installed since 1990). But I haven't ride on any other setups, so I can't give you any comparision. "I am thinking H&R race/sport w/bilstein, (maybe ground controls w/bilstien) new busings with the tt solid rubber mount in the rear." I heard a lot of people have this setup, may be that's the way to go. By the way, I am doing a DIGI 1 Swap today, any tips from people who had done this? TIA _______________________________________________ a2-16v-list mailing list [email protected] http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list For list archives, see listinfo link above. _______________________________________________ a2-16v-list mailing list [email protected] http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list For list archives, see listinfo link above.
