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VW-Gasser Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 204 Location: Quincy MA
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Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 1:56 pm Post subject: Pedrini wheels and dropped spindles |
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Hi,
I want to put on my 69 Karmann Ghia dropped spindles together with Pedrini wheels. I read that this combination is really bad, because the lower balljoint will hit the inside of the wheels:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=186662&highlight=pedrini+ball
So it looks like I have different options:
1. Grinding down the wheels in a lathe. Not sure if I want to weaken my wheel.
2. Grinding down the ball joint and arms. Not sure if I want to weaken my suspension.
3. Using spacers. Looks like the best method to me. There seems to be no clear opinion on how thick of a spacer I need. Some say one inch, some say 3/8" thick is enough. Does anyone know for sure?
If I need a one inch spacer I am in big trouble, because I cannot find any source for 1 inch spacer in 4x130. Also I probably have to use a 3" narrowed front axle (also not easy to come by from a TRUSTED source).
Did I forget a fourth option?
Anyway, how did you guys solve this problem? I am open to suggestions!
Thanks _________________ -- www.vw-gasser.de -- |
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Derek Cobb Annoying
Joined: March 11, 2004 Posts: 2565
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Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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I think I read where someone bored the tapered hole in the spindle deeper so the ball joint mounted a little further up. As I recall, it didn't take a lot to get the clearance. |
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VW-Gasser Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 204 Location: Quincy MA
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 7:42 am Post subject: |
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but that will weaken the spindle, am I wrong? _________________ -- www.vw-gasser.de -- |
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Mike Fisher Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 17969 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 8:36 am Post subject: |
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Glenn bought the Pedrinis & KG spindles etc and made them fit. I love them in their natural finish on his Beetle! You need them First to determine how much to narrow the beam. I'm running EMPI aluminum spacers with Fuchs and they are safe to use. You can use two 1/2" spacers if necessary with longer lug bolts from http://www.ezaccessory.com/Lug_Wheel_Bolts_s/20.htm etc. _________________ https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76897 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 8:57 am Post subject: |
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I have Pedrini's on stock Ghia spindles with no problem. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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VW-Gasser Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 204 Location: Quincy MA
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 10:16 am Post subject: |
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Well, yes. I am aware that stock spindles will work, but I was more wondering about the dropped spindles. I want to lower my Ghia without changing the geometry of my suspension, which will happened if I use an adjustable front beam. _________________ -- www.vw-gasser.de -- |
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jeff68 Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2007 Posts: 298 Location: Sarasota, Florida
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Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 5:56 am Post subject: |
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I also have pedrini's on the front of my '68 beetle. Set up is stock width ball joint beam with two avis adjustors (one in upper tube and one in the lower tube) and stock ghia disc break spindles. I have been contemplating using a drop spindle as well to lower the front end a little more but was wondering if everything would clear as well. If anyone tries this please post here. Also, which / whose drop spindles are being used? CB, EMPI??
just thought about another Another related question - If you use drop spindles do you need shorter shocks?
Thanks |
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Derek Cobb Annoying
Joined: March 11, 2004 Posts: 2565
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Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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Don't need shorter shocks for drop spindles. |
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oly29 Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2002 Posts: 55 Location: Sparks Nevada
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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I am running lowered spindles on my 67 with CB disk brakes. I had to have the taper opened up on the lower part of the spindle to get enough clearance to run my polished pedrini's. I have about (0.125) 1/8 inch clearance between the lower ball joint and the inside of the rim. I can take some pictures of you need them. |
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ALB Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2008 Posts: 3483 Location: beautiful suburban Wet Coast of Canada
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:19 am Post subject: |
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Jeff68- That's the beauty of drop spindles; the car still uses stock length front shocks and steering geometry doesn't change (as it does when lowering the front by turning the tubes). The downside- they do add 1/2 or 5/8" to each side of the front track, and depending on the wheel's casting some can be a tight fit. As was mentioned though, the bottom ball joint taper can be modified for a slightly deeper fit. _________________ On a lifelong mission to prove (much to my wife's dismay) that Immaturity is Forever!! |
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gheezerghia Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2007 Posts: 495
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Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 11:41 am Post subject: |
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I just installed some Flat 4 5.5 Fuchs and the lower balljoints are rubbing. I'm considering either grinding the ball joints, installing spacers, or increasing the balljoint taper. I'm leaning towards the spacers or the taper. I was wondering what tool I needed to increase the taper? Thanks for the help |
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GTV Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2004 Posts: 2084 Location: Si'ahl
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Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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I ground the ball joints to fit cookie cutters on dropped spindles. It didn't need much, I feel it is 100% safe. _________________ EMPI Power Rules! |
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gheezerghia Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2007 Posts: 495
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Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 10:53 pm Post subject: |
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GTV, Would you happen to have any pictures of what you ground down on the balljoints. What kind of backspace do those wheels have? Thanks for your help! |
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scottvw Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2004 Posts: 2821 Location: Centennial, CO
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Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 7:39 am Post subject: |
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Here's a pic of Pedrini's on a Ghia.
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gerry1 Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2005 Posts: 27 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:38 am Post subject: |
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here's my 68 on pedrinis, polished lips and spokes. center cap is a reproduction of original. i used cheap empi dropped spindles on stock beam (not narrowed). rear is stock height.
i like how it came out. no issues up front at all. everything was bolt on.[/img] |
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Marco du Breizhil Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2012 Posts: 2
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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gerry1 wrote: |
here's my 68 on pedrinis, polished lips and spokes. center cap is a reproduction of original. i used cheap empi dropped spindles on stock beam (not narrowed). rear is stock height.
i like how it came out. no issues up front at all. everything was bolt on. |
Hi gerry,
What size of front and rear tires ? |
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