181 Ball joint Eccentric...

[CharlesA]

Does anyone have an extra Thing balljoint eccentric that will fit the 181 balljoint stem?

Also... for 0 degree caster, should the notch in the eccentrict piont dead forward?

Thanks,
Charles

[Marc]

The eccentric is there for setting camber, the caster you end up with will be within the normal acceptible range so long as the notch is somewhere between "in" and "out" and towards the front of the car.
What's the difference between a Thing and a Beetle eccentric? I know the 181 has a different balljoint but I never noticed the eccentric being different.

[Guest]

The 181 eccentric has the same outside diameter and outside taper as the type 1 eccentric... however the 181 balljoint has a larger diameter stem.

The tapered hole in the type 1 eccentric is not large enough to accept the 181 ball joint stem.

The tool for me to ream out a type 1 eccentric is about $50 so I was trying to avoid the extra $.

Please let me know if anyone has one of these laying around...

Thanks,
Charles

[germansupplyscott]

try vince at thingsunlimited.net. he is very reasonable, price-wise, and i am certain he will have what you need.

scott lyons

[Marc]

The tool for me to ream out a type 1 eccentric is about $50 so I was trying to avoid the extra $.
Please let me know if anyone has one of these laying around...

I had guessed that must be the difference but had never measured one.
That makes sense, especially if someone has one "laying around". Have you already looked into what it would cost to have a machinist ream out one bug eccentric for you?

Would it be feasible to just slap in a bug control arm/balljoint/eccentric to keep it on the road while you dig up the right part?

[CharlesA]

thingsunlimited.net.... Sold Out.... doesn't know when he'll get any more.

My friend who is a machinist said he would need to purchase a special cutter for the correct taper angle.
tool is aproximately $50 and I'll likely never use it again.

Who knows... the way it's looking, no shops have these... maby i should go into bussiness

Thanks,
Charles

[Guest]

Post your request on the topica list. There are four guys on this list who have just taken apart a Thing front end and will have your part.

Contact
Mike Basso: MPB181@aol.com
Ken Crimmen: Kubelken@aol.com
Matt Lahr: dumbguy1234@yahoo.com
Scott Sportsman: thingguy@kc.rr.com

Also Eiric at NuVintage VW has your part

Eiric Lind:NuVintage@worldnet.att.net

Hope this helps, Kubelmann

[Guest]

Thank you very much... I will get in contact with them...
I can't belive how hard it is to find one of these

Thanks again,
Charles

[Kubelmann]

Try finding the expansion plugs for the ends of the front torsion arms. Now that is nearly impossible. At least it has been for me. K-mann

[Guest]

I used some short 1 1/8" freeze plugs from the local auto parts store...
It's not origional.... but it worked

Good luck,
Charles

[Kubelmann]

Thanks for the tip. Before now have come up "dry" on input for this one. Will score some 1 1/8" plugs from flap and try put your suggestion. K-Mann

[CharlesA]

Well, I have successfully machined out a type 1 balljoint eccentric to accommodate the 181 balljoint stem taper.
This works well since the type 1 and 181 eccentrics have the same outside dimensions.
If anyone else needs an eccentric for the 181? let me know I will be happy to make one for you (now that all of the hard work has been done!)

Thanks,
Charles

[CharlesA]

If anyone else needs or is looking for an eccentric for the 181 balljoint? let me know I can make more (now that all of the setup and measuring is done).


Thanks,
Charles

[Sporty]

Can someone please tell me the taper ratio that VW use? I know some auto tapers ar 1:6, 1:8 (Ford & Chevy), 1:18. and 1:12, but I can't find any details about VWs.