[ed martin]

Been pretty busy with work to spend too much time on this problem lately. But I did find out a few things. Yes, I did find out that, that the tube is quite different from the VW tube. The VW tube is smaller in diameter, and it is wider. Also, the Porsche axle tube accomodates a needle bearing in the inner circumference at the end of the tube. Furthermore, as I understand it, there are bearings towards the center of the tube. I visted Callas Rennsport, and the owner Tony Callas was more than generous in providing me some copies of the original factory repair manual for the 356 A. Later I can post some of this information. Interestingly, the manual actually covers this topic. Apparantly if the displacement is less than 4mm the idea is to cut the affected side from the body and use a hydraulic jack to bend the bar back into shape. I think. I will post the instructions later verbatem, I don't have them with me at present. In addition, the manual has spec drawings of the body dimensions!

Talking to Johnsons alignment next door, they tell me to replace the control arms first and see if that doesn't solve the probem. Simple solutions first!

Something else I think is interesting is the fact that the control arm link and kingpin suspension is identical to my 356 C. They never graduated the design to ball and socket as Volkswagen did. Plus, the control arms on both sides of my A car are stamped VW. I think the repair or rebuilding of the Porsche link and kingpin design may be the same as VW. There is plenty of literature on this topic for
VW on the web or even in the Haynes manual. Or just spend a hundred dollars on the original A manual.

As far as having this job done professionally, that is probably the way to go. I have looked into that, and it is expensive. You need a special jig etc. I'm going to try the simple things first, and if that doesn't work than I'll go that approach. I'm always intrigued by the challange.