71 europe beetle rear brake drums.

[BMFBMF]

Hi folks,

These are the original rear rims from my 1300 71. Are those 5x205s? Same as 1967 model year in the rest of the world? What does the 205 stand for?

I replaced these drums many years ago. They now seem oval. I'm trying to get new 5x205s but there seems to be a shortage in Europe.

Anyone able to recommend a brand/supplier?

Also which brake shoes should I get for these drums , 40mm?

Without taking everything apart it's a bit of a pain with this "in between model"!

thanks.

[KTPhil]

I don't have an answer, just a caution to everyone that Euro models have different equipment than USA models, so beware!

Those wheels you have are not slotted. USA wheels gained slots starting in '66.

USA '67 Bugs all had 5-lug wheels and drum brakes, and the rims had 10 slots, and no "safety humps." Euro Bugs that had the 1500 engine USUALLY (but not always, depending on destination country) had front discs and the 4-bolt, 8-slot wheels front and rear.

So a '71 with a 1300 and 5-lug wheels is unknown in the USA.

I would bet that, unless someone has an identical model, you will have to pull a drum and measure the shoe size.

5x205 refers to the bolt pattern: 5 bolts, 205mm diameter, aka "wide fives."

By the way, another wheel issue has to do with "safety humps. '67 and older cannot run radials without running inner tubes, according to VW:

Your wheels look like they have the "safety hump" on them.
No slots plus humps is an odd combination!

[viiking]

Wheel nut patterns are measured as "Pitch Circle Diameter" i.e. PCD. That is 205mm.

Here's a simple explanation.

https://konigwheels.com/wheel-info-tech/what-is-pcd/
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[vwoldbug]

Is there a reason you can't get them resurfaced and when the drums are off measure the shoes.

[bnam]

Are you sure they you have a 1971 model year car? Post your chassis number. Even the RoW Standard 1200 beeetles went to 4 bolt wheels in 1968 iirc. So, your combination is very unusual. But, having said that, you should be able to get the drums by buying 1965-67 205pcd drums. I suspect the brake shoe width will be the same as the 65-on beetles (not Supers).

https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=131609237C

https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=131609537C
_________________
1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL

[BMFBMF]

Thanks for the input folks, yes it's a 71, my dad bought it new.

In fact you can see the 71 date stamps on the wheel rim! I did not note that before taking the picture!

Being south african its a bit different to the rest of the worlds ones, serial numbers also. (they alll start with "SAF" on chassis and engine)

I've not been able to find a brake shop here in switzerland, and I'm fairly sure that if I did, the cost of machining would be more than new drums unfortunately. I'm sure the drums are dodgy though as I have had them machined in the past in south africa (where it was cheap but maybe of quesiotnable quality...)

[BMFBMF]

Interesting info about the radials.

Mine seem to have the bump to hold the bead (just looking from outside).

Excuse the mess , ths iwas before i cleaned it up, there were lots of dirt roads in SA.

[Maddel]

These?

Below two links to Werk34 in Germany (shipping to Switzerland will be $$$)...

Rear Brake Drum, fit from year 08/57 - 07/67 with LK 5 x 205, Repro, Made in Germany

4-pcs. Kit Brake Shoes rear, width 30 mm, fit for all models from year 10/57-07/64

[KTPhil]

[alex857]

Hi, as posted before, European beetles dropped five lug wheels in 1967 (1500) and 1968 (all models). We are obviously looking at a RHD South African car. They kept 5 lugs but I am not sure whether the drums from older European cars fit. Have a look at South African parts dealer websites.

[bnam]

South African VWs kept some features going longer and some had unique features. But I’d bet that the drums are the same as the older VW bugs elsewhere.
_________________
1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL

[ashman40]

[bnam]