Lowering

[Mikes57BuginPA]

Are there any drawbacks to lowerin my '57 Bug (Resto-Mod)?

My main question is about the rear of the car and the negative camber. It's nit getting slammed, just enough to improve it's stance.

Thanks.

[wimkever]

[Chip]

Wow^^^
It's your car, do what you like with it. The ride could get a little rougher than stock, but if you use lowered spindles and keep most of the geometry more or less stock it shouldn't be too bad. Major rear camber can kill axles, drums, and tires, but a couple inches won't kill it. Just make sure it's properly aligned after the work is done.

[Mikes57BuginPA]

That first reply was a bit harsh but it might be valid. I really don't know about the whole lowering thing that's why I asked the question here.

Keep in mind that it's not a stock beetle but a resto mod. Also, the job will be done by someone who is experienced. Finally, the car will be lowered about 2 inches tops.

[volksboy57]

This can be a long expensive road. When I got my '57 it had 2"dropped spindles. This looked great, but the tires rubbed against the fenders a little. Not too much rubbing, but I couldn't have two or more people in the car. I had zero offset disk brakes(empi) installed in the front, but they actually pushed the tires out more, and the rubbing was noticeably worse. I then had the shop install a 2" narrowed beam, and that did the trick. The beam has adjusters on it, and the shop actually raised the car a little so it wouldn't rub... FML. So, the car sits about 1.5" lower in the front, and rides fine. I would like to adjust it back down a bit, since 1.5" doesn't really look much different than stock.
In hindsight, i could've kept my stock wheels, and installed the original spindles, and saved plenty of money.

I am not sure about the rear height of the car, since mine is stock. I prefer the raked stance, than low on front and back.

[txoval]

We all have our opinions, and the first response is definitely that, an opinion.

What are using the car for? Stock engine? Stock wheel/tires? This all plays a role. The "VW Enginers" designed the car to traverse all road conditions, which dictated its stance. It also made it easier to work on.

A properly lowered VW will handle (corner) better than stock. Will it drive over potholes easier or go off-road ? Hell no

Too many people hack the suspension which leads to misconceptions. A lot of people like to push the extreme and yes you can go too low for normal driving.

Too much negative camber in the rear leads to all kinds of axle issue, but the proper anount leads to better handling.

Not the best picture

Rear end is indexed 1 inner spline, rear Airkewld disc brakes, 6" rims with 4" back spacing

Front is fully adjustable 4" beam, AC Industries disc brakes (push wheels out 3/4" per side) 5" rims with 3.5" back spacing

[gimmesomeshelter]

I would argue that if you lower it, it little will do more than a lot. Just lower it to the point where you can get some negative camber. You'll improve the handling of your car without causing any of the typical problems.

Cheers,

Paul
_________________
"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned."

Richard Feynman

[vwnut1]

If done correctly I think a mild drop on a Bug looks good.

_________________
1957 VW Oval Resto Mod

[txoval]

Another key, before lowering (especially the rear) is replacing the parts that wear out. Changing the rear spring plate bushings makes a huge difference in performance, stock height or lowered.

If you want to retain the stock spring rate, use dropped spring plates instead of indexing the torsion bars.

Are your torsion bars worn out? If never replaced, probably.

Simply adjusting worn out parts will lead to unsatisfactory results, once again leading to the misconception that a lowered VW handles bad. Using a chopped up stock front beam is another bad idea, save your pennies and buy (or make if you have the skills) a high quality beam.

This topic is covered 1000 times, especially in the 58-67 forum. I'm providing the highlights and lessons learned

[Mikes57BuginPA]

Thank you for all the responses.

As I originally said, the car is not going to be slammed, just lowered a bit. I trust the guy who is doing the work and we are in full communication before and during the work. If there are any worn parts I am confident that they will be replaced.

The car is a weekend cruiser and not a daily driver. When done it will have a 1914cc, dual Kads and a mild cam. It has Centerline wheels 145/15 front and 205/70/15 rear tires. I think dropping it 2-3 inches will make it look good without creating ride/handling issues.

Thanks again for the responses. I can always rely on you guys for good staright advice.

[0nebadbug]

I've had my somewhat lowered Oval on the road 2 solid years now, about 1,100 miles... And I actually prefer driving it over our '61 bone stock.

They both have their good & bad points.

Where it gets iffy is when you start narrowing shit too extreme... Originally we did our oval on a scat 6" narrowed beam & disc setup, while it was neat looking it was like driving hard-tail trike, up front. That I hated...

We had a few spare beams to sacrifice so we made a new one, 2-1/8" (I think is what we narrowed). Just so we could be back on actual shocks instead of torsion's only and all 2" drop spindles & all the disc components easily moved over and since that... its been an actual dream driving since then.
_________________
::: Slowoval ::: LaDawri Sebring ::: '61 Creampuff ::: Dust Storm '66 :::

[Mos6502]

You can go with a mild drop on the suspension say 1" or 1.5" and then use low profile tires to get a little lower without ruining the handling.

[Airkewld]

Some tend to forget that off the assembly line, these cars have positive camber. From stock height, meaning the spring plates are touching the bottom stop, the vehicle can be lowered 5 inches with out having any negative camber.
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[Mr. OGPaint]

[Airkewld]

[Ace]

[txoval]

Stock Ovals had/have positive camber and the spring plates do sit on stop.

Most now, have old sagging spring plates or have been adjusted.

I can't confirm the exact height difference of 5", but I bet it's close.

The pic below is the same car I posted above...in stock form.

[Kjell Roar]

Remember when lowering the front, the original oval front fenders offer less place for lowering because they build longer down over the wheel, the good side is you dont need to lower much for the look.

My car is original, torsions a little worn, have CB disc brakes in front.
Dont need lowering, I think.
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My car, Aug. 4th, 1955 / an early 56: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=610438

[Ace]

If the car banged, steel to steel, on a stop constantly while driving they would never sell a car. There is not 10" of clearance of pan to the ground there, in which case just 5" of clearance wouod be 0 degrees camber using the incorrect loweeing data provided here.

[Airkewld]