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Fri May 23, 2008 2:12 pm

Hi, just looking for educated guesses on how the stance for this 69 was achieved. It was posted in the classifieds a little bit ago. Tried to contact the seller but got no reply. Looking for guesses on wheel thickness, tires, etc. The ad didn't mention an adjustable beam but I think did mention drop spindles. Can that front tuck be achieved with just thinner wheels and no narrowing of the beam?

Sat May 31, 2008 10:07 am

Thanks to all for the advice on the Ball Joint Lowering Sticky. I have a question not in the sticky and need some opinions.

I have a 69 bug with a rebuilt front end and CB 2.5" drop drum spindles. I rebuilt the rear suspension with all new bushings and lowered the rear approximately 1.7" (8 Inner / 8 Outer Splines) so I would have less than a 1" difference (0.8" to be exact) between the front and rear of the car so I wouldn't have to use any shims on the front end to compensate.

In an effort to ensure front tire clearance, I'm going to be using 145/80/15 tires on the stock front wheels. What I did not account for was the 1.3" height difference between my front 145/80/15 tire diameter and the rear 165/80/15 tires. Considering that I will now have a 1.45" difference (0.8" + 0.65") between the front & rear of the car do I need to:

1. Install shims in the front beam
2. Lower the rear of the car again to narrow the difference
3. Do nothing

My car is stripped and prepared to go to the body shop for paint and the tires won't be mounted until after paint. If necessary, I'd like to effect any additional suspension modifications prior to taking the car to the body shop.

Any wisdom/advice you can shed on my situation would be greatly appreciated.

Fri Jun 06, 2008 11:13 am

At what point odes one need the lowered ball joints? I've read about how they have a tendency to bind. Anyone with experiences to share?

Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:32 pm

My BJ beam hits the ground b4 the balljoints bind with drop spindles installed.

If it is narrowed or REALLY low, I recommend flipping the out tie rod ends to reduce bump steer.

Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:33 pm

I want to lower my 1969 std beetle. Ive been reading this sticky and have mixed thoughts now.

I can purchase 2 1/2 " dropped disc brake spindles for about 170$

If i drop the car with these do i need to worry about the tire hitting the fender?

Will this change the ride and make it more harsh or will everything be ok?

What will happen to the car if i install dropped spindles?

Any help would be great.

Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:36 pm

1969 wrote: If i drop the car with these do i need to worry about the tire hitting the fender?
Your tire will hit... if they are stock size on stock rims.

Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:35 pm

How do i avoid The tires hitting the finders while still keeping it stock?

I am not too set on purchasing or narrowing my beam.

I still want to lower my car, but i do not need to lower it 2 1/2 "

Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:36 pm

Install adjusters instead.

Most dropped spindles push the tire out 1/2".

Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:38 pm

1969 wrote: I want to lower my 1969 std beetle. Ive been reading this sticky and have mixed thoughts now.

I can purchase 2 1/2 " dropped disc brake spindles for about 170$

If i drop the car with these do i need to worry about the tire hitting the fender?

Will this change the ride and make it more harsh or will everything be ok?

What will happen to the car if i install dropped spindles?

Any help would be great.

Other than the extra 3/8 - 1/2 inch of track on the front from the spindles, the ride should remain constant with drop spindles as you are leaving the rest of the suspension geometry alone. The price of the spindle/brake package seems low, I'd be worried about quality and if they are forged or cast. There is also a long list of other parts that should be replaced while you have it apart -
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=297885&highlight=

Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:51 pm

Slugged wrote: 1969 wrote: I want to lower my 1969 std beetle. Ive been reading this sticky and have mixed thoughts now.

I can purchase 2 1/2 " dropped disc brake spindles for about 170$

If i drop the car with these do i need to worry about the tire hitting the fender?

Will this change the ride and make it more harsh or will everything be ok?

What will happen to the car if i install dropped spindles?

Any help would be great.

Other than the extra 3/8 - 1/2 inch of track on the front from the spindles, the ride should remain constant with drop spindles as you are leaving the rest of the suspension geometry alone. The price of the spindle/brake package seems low, I'd be worried about quality and if they are forged or cast. There is also a long list of other parts that should be replaced while you have it apart -
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=297885&highlight=

They are Forged Spindles. And i have a complete disc brake kit for the front, i just want dropped spindles now. i have even replaced the torsion arm seals between the beam and the arms.

How do i prevent the tires from hitting the fenders though?

Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:41 am

Glenn wrote: Install adjusters instead.

Most dropped spindles push the tire out 1/2".

im not too keen on installing adjusters, im not really sure how to do so, do i need to cut them beam to do this? and will it make the ride harsh?

Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:48 am

Run thinner i.e. 145 or 135 series tires or drive real slow over bumps. Mine don't rub the fenders but slightly turning over a bump with weight in the trunk and I run 185/65 tires in the front. Dropping has an effect or look that you are after, it may rub occasionally: then don't drop it or don't worry about it

Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:53 am

195/60-15 on Porsche 5.5x15 alloys with the front dropped 3" using AVIS adjusters.

It doesn't rub.

Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:31 pm

Glenn wrote: 195/60-15 on Porsche 5.5x15 alloys with the front dropped 3" using AVIS adjusters.

It doesn't rub.

What is the offset of those wheels?

Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:35 pm

[img]http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=237039911/PictureID=5275952000/a=136095549_136095549/t_=136095549[/img][/img][img]http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=237039911/PictureID=5275952000/a=136095549_136095549/t_=136095549[/img][img]http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=237039911/PictureID=5275952000/a=136095549_136095549/t_=136095549[/img]
Here is the story with my 1974.
This was the first car I had. It used to be green and needed to be push started all the time. I blew the engine one morning two hours away from home andf had to wait for my friends dad to pick me up. After that I got a truck and my sister got the bug. My dad fixed the syarter for her... A few years later it was sold to a family friend. They decided to fix it up and began all the work. They couldn't finish so my mom bought it back for me on one off my I find myself, putting together someone elses project. Now I have very little knowledge about bugs but can get by when needed. Last week I finally finished installing the new wiring harness and the engine. After 7 or 8 years of sitting there, a few tries, the engine putted back to life. So I took it for drive around the block and found out the lower ball joints rub (gouge) the rims. What can I do to fix this? I'm sure it has drop spindles and it has an adjustable beam. In the picture the beam is lowered all the way, hince the finders are on the tires. I got tired of messing with it at that point. Can someone give me some information on how I can adjust the angle of the ball joint so it will not rub?
(not sure what year the fenders are from)

Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:38 pm

hpw wrote: Glenn wrote: 195/60-15 on Porsche 5.5x15 alloys with the front dropped 3" using AVIS adjusters.

It doesn't rub.

What is the offset of those wheels?
ET41

Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:49 pm

Here are the pictures. Again, what adjustments should I make to change the angle of the ball joint so it will not rub? Should I go back to stock spindles and use the beam to adjust the hight? Right now with the beam adjusted all the way up, I was able to tighten the ball joints enough to where they only rubbed when turning (1 person in the car, driver seat is the only one in the car at this time, and maybe two gallons of gas).
Yes the wheels rub on the fender a little, but I am more concerned with the ball joints scrapping the rims.

Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:53 am

What size are your rims up front?

Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:43 am

Just got my -70 bug lowered. Have now adjustable frontbeam and lower balljoints. Adjusted it just 4-5cm lower. I drive it daily so lower could be pain in the ass. Quite stiff to ride but overall Im pleased.
At the moment I have og. tyres 155 R15. But there is pace for wider tyres too.....

Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:23 pm

Eurobug wrote:

Quote: What size are your rims up front?

The tire size is 195/50 on a 15" rim.