TheSamba.com :: View topic - 356 brakes

Wed Dec 25, 2019 12:18 pm

Hey there,

Looking to put either A or B brakes on my ride. I have both in stock and ready to go.

My bus has a later style custom narrowed 55-63 front beam which is ok.

The rear trans is a T-1 62-65 style with short axles and bolts right in. I was going to use later model T-3 backing plates and early T-3 drums with 5/8" machined off the snout, but 356 brakes will be the goal.

I know the rear will be easy bolt on, but can I get some sort of bearing or sleeve to mount up the drums?

Wed Dec 25, 2019 12:58 pm

10 foot doug has the answers you seek....

Thu Dec 26, 2019 12:11 am

I have 356B brakes front and rear on my 53 Kombi with T-1 shortaxles. What wheels are you planning to run? These huge brakes together with flat rear wheel wells have made installing rear tires/wheels more difficult than on any lowered bus I’ve ever had.

Thu Dec 26, 2019 10:02 am

I will be running original 356 steel wheels as well as a 356 S-90 motor.

Guess i'll contact 10-foot Doug....;0)

Thu Dec 26, 2019 10:08 am

Tried searching for contact info on 10 ft Doug and wasn't able to. Anyone out there who has this, please message me details. Thank you so much.

Thu Dec 26, 2019 2:42 pm

I think the user below is "10 foot Doug":

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=66603

His BD w/ 356 brakes:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BP4A0mKBU8X/

Thu Dec 26, 2019 8:41 pm

Should work easily well with your stock wheels. Doug did an article in Hot VWs regarding his brake install on stock BD running gear

Fri Dec 27, 2019 4:37 pm

I have read the article, but it seems that my later split bus front beam might cause some issues. The backing plate won't bolt on and the bearings are not compatible.

Sent a message to Doug, waiting for a reply.

Fri Dec 27, 2019 5:02 pm

The split bus spindles make it harder. I tried. You have to find just the right bearings and races to do it. I have them in my garage somewhere from the attempt. And then you have to run a spacer/ adapter between the backing plate and spindle surface for the backing plate to mount. The far easiest way is to build a barndoor beam and run kingpin beetle spindles(they fit with machine work or spacers made). Then the front brakes and stock beetle bearings are a direct bolt on.

Sun Dec 29, 2019 5:17 am

Thanks EmpiGT. I will give that a try.

Sun Dec 29, 2019 10:26 am

beetle spindles on BD beam will work, but will drop the front A LOT ! like 4 - 6" or more. IIRC.

Sun Dec 29, 2019 10:41 am

See this thread on installing beetle spindles. It narrows the track some and lowers it about 4 inches. To me looks really good. You can narrow the beam some more and adjusters to go really low.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=370963&highlight=beetle+spindles

Sun Dec 29, 2019 11:00 am

Awesome ! Had almost forgotten about that great old thread !

Thu Jan 30, 2020 9:28 am

Mr. OGPaint wrote: Should work easily well with your stock wheels. Doug did an article in Hot VWs regarding his brake install on stock BD running gear

Any idea what HotVW's issue this article was in? Thanks!

Mon Feb 03, 2020 7:34 am

Big_E_Deluxe wrote: Mr. OGPaint wrote: Should work easily well with your stock wheels. Doug did an article in Hot VWs regarding his brake install on stock BD running gear Any idea what HotVW's issue this article was in? Thanks! It is in one of the previous issues that you get access to with a digital subscription.
https://hotvws.com/