OK guys I need help.

I have a spare front beam which I've had powder coated and am ready to install on my buggy.  I've got be needle bearings and Bakerlite inner bushing/bearings to install & ream.

I've got a reamer so easy enough, or so I thought.

Now here's the problem.

How on earth do you get the inner bushings pushed in far enough into the tubes?

I've managed to get a bush about 3" into a lower tube, but it's stuck there.  As for the upper tube I can barely get it past he edge.

This is what the Bakerlite bearing/bushing looks like


I got mine from http://www.machine7.com/section.php?xSec=431

If anyone has any ideas, or other options, instructions or links would be great.

They should be an easy fit... Tapped mine in with a socket on a 10" bar. If they are solid then something is defo wrong

Did fibre bushes come out of the beam? Not all beams have them, most genuine VW beams have  thin metal bushes.

Sorry David can't remember. Do you have a link as to where to get the metal ones?

Willing up try anything

I was thinking the metal ones may still be in place. I'm not sure if you can fit the 'Micarta' ones in place of them as I've never had them fail.

I guess the confusion is the reason most people fit urethane ones these days.

http://www.coolairvw.co.uk/Item/NA/111401315/T1_-GT-65_Inner_Front_Beam_Bush.html

Sorry David, I should have added I have a ball joint beam

You could still find either style  of bush on later beams.