TheSamba.com :: View topic - Track Differences Rear Axle between BD and Later Models

Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:00 pm

Hi everybody,

I´ve already tried the forum search and clicked through many threads but didn´t find the answer to my question.
The following: According to VW data sheets BD as well as later models until 1967 feature a rear axle track width of 1360 mm.
Although this may right I have the subjective impression that on post 55 models the rear wheels (15" rims) point some millimeters more outwards inside their wheelarch habitat than BD rear wheels with 16" spec.
Am I right with that? The background is that the day before yesterday I got a ´56 rear frame assy with torsion bar tube and complete rear axle. If I put this whole frame assy into a BD - will my rotted 53 pickup leftovers look original regarding the track width when I put on 16" wheels?
Yeees, I know ... telescope shock absorbers instead of friction shocks and some other mods - but I am 32 years old and live in the year 2009, not 1953. If I get the whole wreck going and make it look like original in its outward appearance I will be quite satisfied ...
Has anyone already had a later frame rail assy in a BD (I remember a thread with a colombian BD and a late rear torsion bar tube)?

Regards,

Jurgen

Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:14 am

I havent put a later frame rail in mine ive kept the barndoor setup but i have put in a stock 64 split box and used spacers at the spring plate ends i wouldnt consider cutting the chassis out on a barndoor i would repair it.
My rear wheels sit like this with stock tyres and height to give you an idea.

hope this helps

Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:45 am

Hi,

this helps a lot - thank you very much!
By the way - I really don´t want to cut up the chassis ... it has already fallen into small pieces after 32 years in the earth ... so a late torsion bar tube wouldn´t matter, really.

Regards,

Jurgen

Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:11 am

I am a bit confused, you say that according to VW literature, the track width is the same on barndoors as it is on non barndoors buses. Yet you're asking if the track width would increase by using non barndoor rear suspension? I would think that answer would be no right?

Barndoor torsion housing are narrower yes, but the spring plate mounts to the axle housing as opposed to the reduction box itself like on a later bus. I think the drum face/wheel mounting surface is still in the same relative position if the track width is the same.

???

Thu Apr 30, 2009 4:18 pm

low54 wrote: I havent put a later frame rail in mine ive kept the barndoor setup but i have put in a stock 64 split box and used spacers at the spring plate ends i wouldnt consider cutting the chassis out on a barndoor i would repair it.
My rear wheels sit like this with stock tyres and height to give you an idea.

hope this helps

Hey, that's pretty cool with the spacers. I'm curious how thick they are
and what you used for spring plates.

Fri May 01, 2009 7:06 am

Would using BD RGBs and axles but a later center section bolt up without issues? What about the front tranny mount and the nose cone? This is my plan to keep the stock height and not use spacers, but maybe I should just go 100% stock if it's too complicated.

Fri May 01, 2009 7:31 am

Yes, the axles and reduction boxes work but you have to figure out the nose cone attachment. There are aftermarket mounts, which I have heard transmit more noise.

I found some information/photos here of a mount:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=201901
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=198546

Fri May 01, 2009 5:16 pm

bubblehead wrote: low54 wrote:

hope this helps

Hey, that's pretty cool with the spacers. I'm curious how thick they are
and what you used for spring plates.

bd torsions are 3" shorter then later buses
the spacers would have to be 1 1/2"
and those look like later bus springplates

Sat May 02, 2009 5:09 am

Aah, OK. So post BD spring plates will fit BD torsion bars? Cool Thanks! 8)

Sun May 03, 2009 11:46 am

bubblehead wrote: Aah, OK. So post BD spring plates will fit BD torsion bars? Cool Thanks! 8)

Yes they have the same splines

Mon May 04, 2009 4:54 am

Thanks for clarifying Scotty.

Mon May 04, 2009 1:59 pm

Yes i have later spring plates fitted my spacers look like this and from memory were 28mm thick but i can check that if you need,

Fri Jun 03, 2011 2:35 pm

low54 wrote: Yes i have later spring plates fitted my spacers look like this and from memory were 28mm thick but i can check that if you need,

Please check, just to be on a safe side, if it is not too much to ask :D

Fri Jun 03, 2011 3:31 pm

What about a later splitcase center section with Barndoor axles and RGBs and small nut stub axles with later style brakes.has any one gone this route??

Sat Jun 11, 2011 6:48 am

Anybody please , I need spacers thickness on this set up. :D

Sun Jul 31, 2011 2:40 pm

low54 wrote: I havent put a later frame rail in mine ive kept the barndoor setup but i have put in a stock 64 split box and used spacers at the spring plate ends i wouldnt consider cutting the chassis out on a barndoor i would repair it.
My rear wheels sit like this with stock tyres and height to give you an idea.

hope this helps

This is impossible to achieve without hacking rear torsion tubes. On the picture above is visible that torsion tube retaining tooth has been cut off. BD rear axles suppose to go in recess in BD spring plates. Using later spring plates would push axles (as they go over spring plates) up and it would be impossible to squeeze wheels in , and rear of a bus will sit lower for at least 10 cm.

Sun Jul 31, 2011 6:31 pm

Veskovici, I have come to the same conclusion. I am considering notching my spring plates to change their angle. Haven't had time to pursue things further. Any ideas?

Mon Aug 08, 2011 9:24 am

Obviously no.

It seams that i would have to wait till I find bd trans .
My bus came origin\ly without any wheels. I found front beam in perfect condition in Prague and got it in baggage compartment of a bus in exchange for my og 15 fuchs . Understood that will be possible to use later transmission with no modifications, but no, have to cut. If I use bug or type3 trans than have to cut front.

Heavy animals are BDs :D