Short Axels?

[DeKazman]

I recently saw an ad for a Ghia that referred to "Short Axels". In the list of features/mods in the ad it referenced a narrowed beam (front end, I assume) and Short Axels (rear end?) Are short axels an unusual after market mod - or is this a proven/common solution for fitting larger tire/wheel combinations on the rear of a Ghia? Thanks for the help.

[Banzai KG]

Short swing axles are on '61-66 VWs
Long swing axles are on '67-68 VWs.

So refering to that ad you saw, what year is the Ghia?

If the Ghia is 1967 or 1968, it'll have long axles and switching to a short axle/axle tubes is a mod to accommodate of wider wheel/tires combo in the rear.

Here is photos of the difference in length between a long axle (left) and a short axle (right):

_________________
Jim Kikuchi
Sunnyvale (near San Jose), CA
1964 Karmann Ghia coupe
V.V.W.C.A. - Golden Gate Chapter: http://www.ggcvvwca.org/
B.L.T.N. (Better Late Than Never) late model VW Club (San Jose/Santa Clara, CA): https://www.facebook.com/groups/bltnvw/
NorCal Aircooled Group (NAG) Facebook Goup: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NAGVW/

[rphracing]

Grate post sticky anyone

[DeKazman]

Like a schmuck I didn't note where I saw the ad. I went looking at Samba and eBay and can't seem to locate it. Pretty sure it was a 70, tho. So I'm guessing it would have come with long axels originally?

[Banzai KG]

If it was a 1970, it would have IRS and are not compatible with swingaxles.
The IRS uses CV joints and double jointed axles.

1969 and later Beetles/Ghia/Type III and 1968 Autostick Beetle/Ghia used the IRS transaxle.
Standard 1968 Beetles/Ghia/Type III and earlier used Swingaxle transaxle.

This is a Swingaxle design (axle pivots at at the tranny where the boot is), so when raised or lowered, you'll have positive/negative camber at the wheels/tires:

This is a IRS transaxle design (notice the axle is like double jointed), the wheels/tires stays perpendicular to the ground:

_________________
Jim Kikuchi
Sunnyvale (near San Jose), CA
1964 Karmann Ghia coupe
V.V.W.C.A. - Golden Gate Chapter: http://www.ggcvvwca.org/
B.L.T.N. (Better Late Than Never) late model VW Club (San Jose/Santa Clara, CA): https://www.facebook.com/groups/bltnvw/
NorCal Aircooled Group (NAG) Facebook Goup: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NAGVW/

[DeKazman]

Thanks for the tutorial! Really great to see it laid out so clearly. Very much obliged! Terrific pix, too. the phrases: "extremely clean" - "I want one like that" come to mind . . .

[vwclap]

Put short axle on my 68 ghia to fit Sprintstar 5 1/2'' with 205-65R15...on long axle the stock 165R15 were tight fit!

Claude
_________________
Claude

cox 1956, 1962 et 1975
Split panel 1963
Samba 21 fenetres 1966
Ghia 1968
Sport Ghia 73
West 1970
Jetta 1992
Jetta TDI 2015
West Multivan 2002

[Crocco58]

what do you use to paint the tranny black

[werka]

How many spotless chassis's do you have Banzai KG?

Damn.

[Banzai KG]

I have none spotless chassis.
Those pics I posted are from TheSamba Gallery, just did a "search" and pasted them here.
_________________
Jim Kikuchi
Sunnyvale (near San Jose), CA
1964 Karmann Ghia coupe
V.V.W.C.A. - Golden Gate Chapter: http://www.ggcvvwca.org/
B.L.T.N. (Better Late Than Never) late model VW Club (San Jose/Santa Clara, CA): https://www.facebook.com/groups/bltnvw/
NorCal Aircooled Group (NAG) Facebook Goup: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NAGVW/

[werka]

I am better now. I thought you had some dream garage, with a half dozen or so immaculate, flawless cars.

[kirtisboy]

The 68 ghia had swings on it up until month 8 of 68 at which time they went with the IRS.
Question. WTH is the spring that hangs down near the shocks? It looks like a broken strut...Some kind of set up to keep the car from bottoming out???? HELP.....

[Banzai KG]

The rod you are talking about that hangs near the shock is called a "Equalizer Bar" aka Z-Bar - Used on '67 & '68 Beetles, Ghias, and Type 3s to improve handling in corners or under a heavy load before the introduction of IRS.

_________________
Jim Kikuchi
Sunnyvale (near San Jose), CA
1964 Karmann Ghia coupe
V.V.W.C.A. - Golden Gate Chapter: http://www.ggcvvwca.org/
B.L.T.N. (Better Late Than Never) late model VW Club (San Jose/Santa Clara, CA): https://www.facebook.com/groups/bltnvw/
NorCal Aircooled Group (NAG) Facebook Goup: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NAGVW/

[Four Germans]

Mine has Long alxes (67). Installing short alxes, does the spring plate still line up. As far as side to side play?. If you are lossing lenght and distance, something must have to give. I need to swap mine, but still trying to figure out what the next problem would be. Any advise?

[somdair-coolers]

Four Germans, The distance that decides long/short axle is determined by the length of the end casting, not the tube itself. The springplate does not move side to side.

[Four Germans]

Thanks - After removing the old (long) I compaired the two and the differences. Reassembled the shorter tubes and now have 6 inch deep dish rims in back. with plenty of room.

[Nizaam]

Hi I have a 1960 Karmann ghia with rear drums with shorter axels. I want to fit a set of 17 inch 7J Fuchs on my ghia, but I concerned about the clearance at the back, can anyone advise?

[mcmscott]

I used long castings with short tubes(by 1 3/16 inch) and narrowed the torsion housing by the same, plenty of room for big tires

[FRNKNSTNGHIA]

Not to be a newb. But what would it take to fit a 15x7 inch wheel with 38 offset fit a 1970 Ghia with the IRS Rear suspension? If I stretched a tire on there could it fit? Could spacers assist in fitting the wheel? w/ or without stretched tires.

[Four Germans]

I ended up installing shorter axles on my 67 ghia, then was able to run 6inch rims. This allows 1/2" clearence.