Hi all.

Part of what I'm currently doing is replacing the radius rod bushings
on my '88. As some may know, the spacer sleeve is NLA from VW. IIRC,
Vancafe, Busdepot, GW all carry it as does T3 on thesamba.com Ordered
2 from Frank as I'm in Canada and it likely took less time. He very
promptly put two in the mail last week. Canada Post tracking said
"Sept. 10" so I figured I'd tackle making my own sleeves. Well.....

So I'm working away, mail arrives, no package. Humph. I continue, by
hand, making these sleeves. (my lathe still in pieces. Making these
isn't as simple as you think. There was a lot of filing going on!)

The moment I finish making the last piece, I step outside for fresh
air. There's the package!  ha ha. Guess I didn't see it hiding on the
steps!

pic of mine on RH, two new pieces on LH

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7lGJ9Q1FBQw/UEp9lSTbDUI/AAAAAAAAGEk/GZhuFCrlPms/s640/Radius%2520Rod%2520Sleeves-New%2520%252B%2520Mine%25202.jpg

same here, shows ID

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6IyOpRuZSIY/UEp9lYvJ_7I/AAAAAAAAGEo/tDf4b_EY-4k/s720/Radius%2520Rod%2520Sleeves-New%2520%252B%2520Mine.%2520ID.jpg

FWIW, here's the measurements I see. YMMV:

Mine made from stock mandrel drawn metal:

ID: 19.3 mm
OD: was 25.5mm reduced to 25.3 (I got tired of abusing my drill press)
Part slid easily into bushing holes.
Length: I cut to 56 mm.   (used sleeves from 2 different Vanagons were
2 different lengths. One ~ 56.4 mm the other just under)

New:

ID:  19.3 mm
OD  25   mm
Length: 56 mm

From what I've read and figured, the length and OD are the critical dimensions.

The parts, which I believe are from Gunzl Classic Parts Germany, may
be galvanized which is nice. The used parts I have, and (IIRC) the new
OEM parts installed in my '81 likely aren't plated.

Obviously it's better to just order the parts. I had a time line,
which has since expired, so made my own.

Thanks much Frank for the getting those in the mail so fast!

Neil.

--
Neil n

65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly  http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp

'88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.

'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines