Narrowing IRS...

Merlin · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 1:00 am Post subject: Narrowing IRS...

's up all? Smile

I'm writing from South Africa, where IRS was not sold, and where we have very little info on IRS.

I've been reading this: http://www.germanlook.com/Html/Tech/Tech12NarrowingIRSArms.htm

...on narrowing IRS arms.

I do no want to use aircooled.net's custom arms, before that is suggested.

I have grafted an early double-spring plate setup into my '67 pan.

It is all that I could find here.

My rear wheels (EMPI 8s) stick out an inch or inch and a half, so I'm looking at this option.

My chassis builder is not keen to take on this job, and also wondered whether we would have to mess around with narrowing the driveshafts, etc.

Is it a straightforward-ish job of just cutting the arms, or do we have to modify driveshafts, etc.?

Thanks, Nic
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helowrench · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:10 am Post subject:

germanlook.com tech section has info with pictures.

Rob
_________________
Current VWs:
70 bug vert for wifey
73Thing bucket o rust
73 914 1.7
12 Passat 2.5 Highway cruiser

Merlin · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:29 pm Post subject:

Hey helowrench,

As in the link I posted? Very Happy

Yah, that's my reference, but it raised more questions for an IRS newb'. Wink

Cheers, N.
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Flipper_1938 · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:23 pm Post subject:

I'm in the same boat with the clearance issues on the rear. I think I'm going to get rid of the flange on the fender and roll the edge around a 1/8" steel rod. If that doesn't give me enough clearance, I'll widen my rear fenders a little bit.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Merlin · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:13 am Post subject:

Roll the flange? The outside edge of the fender?

If it makes any difference, I forgot to add that it's a '67. [Early shape]

I've sent a mail to a local guru asking him if he'll attempt the arm trick, as I'd prefer that over widened fenders - which imo look Shi-ite.

N.
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the3rdrock.com - …musings, discoveries and postulating, by a restless itinerant in search of enlightenment.

helowrench · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:29 am Post subject:

Merlin, you are correct, I was not awake yet.

Looks to be a fairly straightforward job, but I see that they made a jig to keep everything lined up.

Rob

PS I rolled the fenderlips on my ghia with an aluminum baseball bat, using the tire as my backrest.

(use a T-ball bat, they are cheaper, and shorter, which helps)
_________________
Current VWs:
70 bug vert for wifey
73Thing bucket o rust
73 914 1.7
12 Passat 2.5 Highway cruiser

Bugs'n'Pugs · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:04 am Post subject:

helowrench · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:20 pm Post subject:

my turn to correct someone LOL Laughing

he posted it in the original post.

I see you need more coffee also.

Rob
_________________
Current VWs:
70 bug vert for wifey
73Thing bucket o rust
73 914 1.7
12 Passat 2.5 Highway cruiser

Merlin · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:04 pm Post subject:

*lol* @ the link saga.

I'm not keen on rolling fenders, and haven't yet heard back from my Guru mate - he sucks at email. Wink

Once I get his info, I'll post it up here for reference.

Cheers, Nic
_________________
the3rdrock.com - …musings, discoveries and postulating, by a restless itinerant in search of enlightenment.

westcoast-paul · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:42 pm Post subject:

search here (this forum) for "narrrow 101"

type 3 automatic transaxle IRS LEFT (drivers) axle is what youa re looking for. you will need 2 of them. they bolt on to IRS stub axles.

get a set of extra stock trailing arms and narrow them 1.3-1.5" each side. this should work for you.
_________________
- Paul

Merlin · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:03 pm Post subject:

helowrench · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:31 am Post subject:

Merlin, look for a Porsche 924 or early944 in the scrap yards.
the IRS components are almost identical, they vary only in the additional adjustments possible (you can adjust rear toe, camber, and small heaight adjustment) small issue with a couple of bolts clearing the shock tower, but a grinder fixes that.

Rob
_________________
Current VWs:
70 bug vert for wifey
73Thing bucket o rust
73 914 1.7
12 Passat 2.5 Highway cruiser

Merlin · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:02 pm Post subject:

Thanks Rob.

We need to import some scrapyards from you guys. Wink

I'll ask my mate in the US if he can source me some parts. I still haven't heard back from my machining guru here. Neutral

Cheers, Nic
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the3rdrock.com - …musings, discoveries and postulating, by a restless itinerant in search of enlightenment.

Bruce · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:31 pm Post subject:

Merlin · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:36 pm Post subject:

Good to know!

Thanks. Very Happy

N.
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the3rdrock.com - …musings, discoveries and postulating, by a restless itinerant in search of enlightenment.

helowrench · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:54 am Post subject:

Merlin · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:11 am Post subject:

OK, my VW guy here says he can narrow the arms, BUT...do I then have to modify the springplates and driveshafts too? Surprised

Sorry if it's a daft question, I'm clueless when it comes to IRS.

Here are pics of my arms...

Thanks, N.
_________________
the3rdrock.com - …musings, discoveries and postulating, by a restless itinerant in search of enlightenment.

westcoast-paul · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 2:15 pm Post subject:

if you want to go more than 1.5" then yes. actually - it depends on your wheel backspacing too, but for stock - 1.5" is no prob. just get 2 IRS T3 AT Left axles and cut / weld the rear trailing arms to match.
_________________
- Paul

Bruce · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:12 am Post subject:

The left T3 Automatic axle is 26mm shorter than a Beetle axle. This is a hair over 1". NOT 1.5".

I highly recommend you start with 71 and later single spring plate TAs. Narrowing the TA moves the wheel and tire closer to the spring plate. The extra spring plate that a 69-70 car has is extra crap in the way.
_________________

westcoast-paul · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject:

you can use the t3 at irs axles on the 1.5" narrowed trailing arms that aircooled sells. they confirmed that to me personally.
_________________
- Paul


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