drop spindles..

[MTT3107]

Thinking about getting drop spindles for my bug..
jbugs currently has a special on the 2.5 in drop spindles, $ 96/pair...

But am wondering, with the front suspension otherwise being stock, will there be interference with the fenders ?

[Glenn]

What size tires?

Stock tires... yes.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

[Nitramrebrab72]

[67rustavenger]

[MTT3107]

Ok, thanks for the info.
My bug is a stock '73 std, with disc brake conversion

[61SNRF]

[Busstom]

[jeffrey8164]

In my experience, you will lose a significant amount of turning radius with the drop spindles.
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“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1)

[eashc]

Here is me with dropped spindles

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

[TonyPgh]

I had 2.5 drop spindles on my 72 Standard. It had 145s on it when I bought it. The PO Told me it was rubbing with stock tires.
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1968 Type 1
https://youtube.com/c/SladesVWBeetle

[ashman40]

I installed 2.5" dropped disc brake spindles on my '75 STD Beetle with stock steel wheels. With anyone over 100lbs in the driver seat the 165SR-15 tires were rubbing the fenders at the outer corner of the tires. With my 200lb butt in the driver's seat the tires would rub on every bump in the road and any corners. Even braking hard in a straight line meant rubbing.

I switched to 145/80-15s and they were okay in a straight line but hard turns and big bumps meant they would rub. Add a 200lb buddy in the passenger seat and the rubbing was back most of the time.


If you are considering dropped disc spindles you should also consider a 2" narrowed front beam to compensate for the amount the spindles will push the wheels outward. This narrowed beam requires shorter front torsion springs and a shorter front sway bar.
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AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[TonyPgh]

I agree!! That’s my current plan….two inch narrowed! Will definitely solve the rubbing..
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1968 Type 1
https://youtube.com/c/SladesVWBeetle

[ashman40]

I’ll add three more comments,
1) The ‘67 and earlier front fenders had a bit more room under the fenders. This means the tires don’t rub (or don’t rub as much) like the ‘68-later fenders even though the beams are the same.

2) Another option to reduce rubbing is to run wheels with larger offets (more backspacing) to push the tires further in. Some aftermarket steel wheels have 40mm+ offsets.

3) Be careful when running aftermarket alloy wheels. The dropped spindles place the lower ball joint knuckle very close to touching the inside of the stock steel wheels. If you run alloy wheels which are thicker wheel metal the torsion arm may need to be ground down to clear the wheel. Or spacers added to push the wheels further out so the ball joint sits outside the wheel… further pushing the wheel into the fender.
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AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}