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Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:32 pm

71-BEETLE-SEDAN wrote: Hey,

I heard that you can lower the front of the car by removing 2 torsion bars,

what ones should i remove.

None :!: ...unless you love a car with a truly F'ed-up ride?

It drives like arse, handles like arse, and is as dangerous as a Hooker's arse!

Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:38 pm

I posted the same question earlier then my post got locked so had to put it here. Here is a response i got

I have done it, 2 small from top and bottom, just an hour job and it's free.
lowered about 2.5 inches. still handles great too.

Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:37 pm

71-BEETLE-SEDAN wrote: I posted the same question earlier then my post got locked so had to put it here. Here is a response i got

I have done it, 2 small from top and bottom, just an hour job and it's free.
lowered about 2.5 inches. still handles great too.

I'm busy replacing the torsion blades in a '66 bug - a hack from the PO.

Try it if you want, but I can tell you from personal experience that it handles and drives like complete #%$^. I consider it dangerous, and it weakens the remaining blades...be prepared to snap the others over time.

Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:30 am

Since most people are changing tire size, how do you correct the speedo?

I want to put 15x6.5 motegi wheels with 35mm offset on my '69 beetle with 195/65r15s and drop it about 2 inches. I will eventually add disc brakes as well. Will I need a 3" narrowed adjustable beam? Will those tires work? Thanks.

Sun Nov 15, 2009 6:45 pm

can anyone provide me any info on where to get a sway bar for narrowed beams?
I've seen the special sway bars for lowered beams, but nothing for narrow/ lowered beams. I've got a 3" narrowed beam, so I assume my sway bar would have to be narrowed 3", right?

Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:32 pm

i personaly wouldnt even run one. i lowered mine about 3 inches up front and dont run one. cant tell a difference

Tue Nov 17, 2009 2:51 pm

Really? Not running a sway bar seems kind of wierd.
Any one else not running a sway bar with their narrowed beam? anyone with?

Tue Nov 17, 2009 4:24 pm

4Doora wrote: Really? Not running a sway bar seems kind of wierd.
Any one else not running a sway bar with their narrowed beam? anyone with?

Ive Never ran a swaybar on a narrowed car. Thats over the last 4-5 years. And every VW Ive owned in that time has been narrowed.
:D

Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:23 pm

Ok so im going to sound like pretty much every other person on this thread but I want to lower my '74 standard and currently am after 2.5" drop spindles how every like everyone else on this forum I'm worried about the 1/4" on each side I've got 195/65/15s on all four corners and discs up front anyone run this setup? will they rub?

I also wanted to know about using an adjustable beam. besides a the new beam and shocks what else is needed? and how hard is it to change out if you've got all the right tools?

Sun Dec 06, 2009 8:15 am

Just finished 69 with CB 2" Narrowed Beam, CB 2.5" Drop Disc Spindles, HD Front & Rear Sway Bars, Porsche 914 Sport Wheels (5.5" Wide - ET40), Rear Tires: 195/65/15 Conti Pros, Front Tires: 175/65/15 Conti Pros. ZERO front tire rub, handles like it's on rails, and ride quality of stock suspension.

Sun Dec 06, 2009 1:03 pm

cbrann wrote: Ok so im going to sound like pretty much every other person on this thread but I want to lower my '74 standard and currently am after 2.5" drop spindles how every like everyone else on this forum I'm worried about the 1/4" on each side I've got 195/65/15s on all four corners and discs up front anyone run this setup? will they rub?

I also wanted to know about using an adjustable beam. besides a the new beam and shocks what else is needed? and how hard is it to change out if you've got all the right tools?

195 tires are getting pretty wide. and with the 1/4 offset on each side you will rub. the drop spindles i got were from cip1 and the claimed to have no offset. when i got them on the had zero offset. but now from what i have seen the do not sell them any more. the disc brakes are not going to have an effect on you offset. i run those spindles with disc brakes non narrowed adjustabe beam 145/65/15s and i dont rub at all. so if you are going to get a adjustable beam i would go narrowed also. as far as putting in the new beam its simple. four bolts up front and two under the gas tank just dissconnect all you steering tie rods and what have you.

Tue Dec 08, 2009 2:35 pm

nodak_85 wrote: cbrann wrote: Ok so im going to sound like pretty much every other person on this thread but I want to lower my '74 standard and currently am after 2.5" drop spindles how every like everyone else on this forum I'm worried about the 1/4" on each side I've got 195/65/15s on all four corners and discs up front anyone run this setup? will they rub?

I also wanted to know about using an adjustable beam. besides a the new beam and shocks what else is needed? and how hard is it to change out if you've got all the right tools?

195 tires are getting pretty wide. and with the 1/4 offset on each side you will rub. the drop spindles i got were from cip1 and the claimed to have no offset. when i got them on the had zero offset. but now from what i have seen the do not sell them any more. the disc brakes are not going to have an effect on you offset. i run those spindles with disc brakes non narrowed adjustabe beam 145/65/15s and i dont rub at all. so if you are going to get a adjustable beam i would go narrowed also. as far as putting in the new beam its simple. four bolts up front and two under the gas tank just dissconnect all you steering tie rods and what have you.

Yeah I figured I'd rub. I'll just have to run stock height until I can get some extra dinero for a beam. I figured adjustable and narrowed but I know if you go to narrow you rub when you turn so I figure 2" is enough

Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:19 am

i have read through many pages and i ave to ask this newb question. i have a 77 bug. i wanna drop the front 2.5 with cb spindles. will this change tire geometry? i.e. making them wear unevenly? how do i drop the back an inch or so without making the wheels bow out? thanks a ton :)

Sat Dec 12, 2009 3:29 pm

using drop spindles will not change any of your front end geometery. but it will give you about 1/4 inch offset on each side. so you will probally have to put in a narrowed beam. other than that it will ride like stock. as far as there rear goes you should have an irs so lowering the rear you shouldnt have much for camber issues. and ive never done it but i belive you can still index your plates on irs

Sat Dec 12, 2009 8:54 pm

right on thanks

Fri Dec 25, 2009 9:17 pm

nodak_85 wrote: using drop spindles will not change any of your front end geometery...

Wrong...they'll affect caster. Unless you lower the rear as much as the front you've changed the beams relationship to earth...add caster shims for more "straight line stability"

Sat Dec 26, 2009 6:58 am

dmilla wrote:

Wow. Nice late model. Congrats.

Here is an article I wrote that should help some of you with unanswered questions. http://airkewld.com/misc-installs/how-do-you-lower-your-vw-the-right-way.html

Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:16 pm

OK, i have read this whole thread a few times. And i have a pretty good grasp on everything, and my game plan.. Except one thing.

On lowering the rear, is it necessacy to adjust the inner spline? or is that just for "fine tuning" I have seen people say 1-3 clicks..now is that just the other spline (rotating the plate its self) up? And then if you want it to sit a tad higher, then adjust the inner as necessary? Also, knotching spring plates??? what exactly do you knotch?

I have a 69 w/ disc brakes. My game plan is as follows

Arikewld 2.5in drop spindles to start (i have 145's so not worried about rubbing)
lower rear 1-2 clicks to get it level

Save up lunch money for airkewld 2 or 3in narrow'd adj. beam, then rear another click or so. to drop it about a total of 4-5in up front, and level out back.

I want it pretty low. I know it may require a drop sway bar and Bj's, shorter tie rods.

But is my thinking and plan sound????

I have the fab ability and all tools to cut the stock torsions, mig/tig, you name it.

Gotta stay local az AND DO ALL AIRKEWLD STUFF! (and i dont have to pay for shipping!!! local pick up FTW!

Thanks
-Vince

Tue Jan 12, 2010 7:04 pm

Does anyone have a picture or pictures of a stock BJ and a lowered BJ with the boots off, so I can see where it was cut out for more clearance?

Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:44 pm

The stub that moves back and forth does so in this slot lookin thing. The slot is longer. Do you have the boot off now?

Unrelated question, but who makes the best (read: won't bind when you press them in) ball joints? Price is no object. Is EMPI the only one with the extended travel ones?