TheSamba.com :: View topic - Wide 4 disc brakes, dropped spindles, narrowed beam

Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:12 pm

Im sitting here seriously considering ordering the Wide 5 dropped disc brake kit, along with the narrowed beam, tie rods, sway bar...etc from CB PERFORMANCE.......Im wondering if any of you have any experience with this combination.....Give me some feedback....dont let me make a mistake.........I just dont want to drop a chunk of change on garbage.....and I know I can count on my VW Brothers & Sisters to steer me straight......

Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:15 pm

I don't have direct experiance with the pieces you mention, but for the most part CB has really good quality stuff.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:27 pm

CB sells good stuff. One cautionary word on ordering all those things. The drop spindles and disk kit usually add track to your car. If you're getting a 2" narrowed beam you might still rub depending on how low you're planning on going and your wheel and tire package. before you spend the money on those parts, measure everything 3 times. make sure you know the dimensions of what you're using, and where they're going to sit under your fenders. I haven't looked for a while but the last time I was pricing things, the CB W5 kit and spindles added about an inch and a half of track, so if you get an off the shelf 2" narrowed beam, you could end up with only a half inch narrower ride when you put it together.

As I've mentioned, those numbers may vary now, but do the research and the math so you only have to buy parts once.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:33 pm

I actually talked to the manager and owner of CB Performance at SEMA this year...really down to earth guys. The manager was glad to hear I was equipped with their drop spindles :D But yes CB has a good reputation and sells quality products

Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:03 pm

I have the Wide5 disc kit with drop spindles and I think it's been great so far. As was mentioned depending on how low you want to go and what wheels you are running I would seriously think about getting a beam narrowed more than 2".

Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:25 pm

I run this exact combo. My track is about a 1/2" total wider up front and was increased 2" in the rear. I swapped out my '67 axles for '66/earlier axles to bring the wheel back in. Otherwise....I'm very please with the braking power and ride quality with the spinldes.

On a side note:
Be certain about wanting or not wanting the drop spindles. Buying the kit w/o the drop spindles will not allow you to purchase them a later date and add them. I did this and had to heavily modify my caliper brackets to make it work.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:16 am

Ok....Ive been reading the advice and thoughts ya'll have responded with.....and I understand about the disc brakes adding additional width to the front wheel track.....I currently have BRM's with 145's (thought of doing 135's) Ive read several responses stating that a 2" narrowed beam may not be enough.....Here's my next question.....where do you get a beam narrowed more than 2"....and then the next question....how the heck would I get it mounted. Im looking at my car and wondering how in the world a beam narrowed 2" will fit (looking at shock towers) My God Man...what would have to be done to use a 4" narrowed beam? The entire topic of narrowed beams is all new to me.....last time I did a bug was 23 years ago....and just lowering a beam was a trick addition....never saw narrowed beams till this tour of duty in the bug scene....

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:51 am

Darin,
I'm in the same boat as far as getting back in to it. Do a search on narrowed beams, there's tons of info. Is this a link pin car, or ball joint?? Also, you may not want to run 135's w/ improved braking. It will probably negate your stopping power and trade it for front tires that skid.

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:54 am

Its a 1961 beetle......and of course its king and link.....the car is solid as a rock.. the find of a lifetime !

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:54 am

i think most guys that make them with shock towers it's 3.5-4" max. most don't run shocks. it's an OLD argument on right or wrong. i've driven all my cars for the last several years with 5-6.5" narrowed beams with no towers and never had a single issue. if you are going to run shock DO NOT run gas shocks on a narrowed beam. the spring rate already increase to a high level and gas shocks just make for a beating ride. oil filled is much better. there are several folks in the classifieds who make beams with or without towers. i'd start there and order your spindles/disc from CB or someone similar...ken....

Sun Nov 23, 2008 6:35 pm

I purchased from kustom1 the 2" narrowed, drop spindles, tie rods and disc brake kit. I went the chevy 5 pattern for wheel options. Kustom1 was extremly helpful for me. Good luck!

Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:26 pm

Quote: i think most guys that make them with shock towers it's 3.5-4" max.
That would be for a ball joint beam, not a linkpin.
I narrowed my linkpin beam on my '64 two inches, and had to build new shock towers to clear. I have seen guys shave the inner half of the tower, and replace the inner side with flat plate also.

The '64 with 2" beam running Mangels and 185/65-15's.

On my '57 I am running CB dropped spindles, CB Wide 5 discs, with American Eagle "Empi" 5 spokes. I narrowed this beam 3 inches.

To get it to fit I modified the inner fender wells.

With the body lowered on, you can see the tire clearance. 185/65-15's.

Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:19 pm

That '57's gonna be nice! Good work! 8)

Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:39 am

other options, you can find a few shops like RLR that narrow stock beams.
I have assembled a few CB narrow beams with disc set ups and one came back tweaked...bent due hitting a large pothole..(california freeways have huge ones)
I used a stock beam narrowed 2" and CSP disc brakes. they offer a drilled rotor with zero offset, therefore the track doesn't change
they also offer a vented rotor with the same setup.
just my thoughts
good luck on your choice.