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MTT3107 Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2021 Posts: 265 Location: KY
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 2:35 pm Post subject: drop spindles.. |
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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 ? |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76939 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: drop spindles.. |
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What size tires?
Stock tires... yes. _________________ 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
#BlueSquare |
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Nitramrebrab72 Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2018 Posts: 485 Location: France
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: drop spindles.. |
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MTT3107 wrote: |
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 ? |
Arn't there rubber suspension bump stoppers on the shock absorbers , to stop you bottoming out . Check they are in good condition and leave you enough clearance. |
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67rustavenger Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015 Posts: 9771 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 2:58 pm Post subject: Re: drop spindles.. |
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Quote: |
Arn't there rubber suspension bump stoppers on the shock absorbers , to stop you bottoming out . Check they are in good condition and leave you enough clearance. |
No, not on ball joint front suspension cars.
The OP didn't state what year/model car he wants to install the, drop spindles on.
Drop spindles utilize the stock length shocks.
Unlike when installing a selecta drop setup in the front beam.
Glenn,
I run stock size tires with drop spindles in my 67. They don't rub on anything. Even after installing a disc brake conversion kit recently. _________________ I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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MTT3107 Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2021 Posts: 265 Location: KY
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 4:33 pm Post subject: Re: drop spindles.. |
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Ok, thanks for the info.
My bug is a stock '73 std, with disc brake conversion |
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61SNRF Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2009 Posts: 4657 Location: Whittier 90602
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2022 8:00 am Post subject: Re: drop spindles.. |
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Nitramrebrab72 wrote: |
...Aren't there rubber suspension bump stoppers on the shock absorbers , to stop you bottoming out ... |
Aftermarket shocks may not have them, but stock front ball joint shocks do.
Part of #21 in this diagram...
_________________ -Bruce
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. |
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Busstom Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014 Posts: 3853 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2022 9:39 am Post subject: Re: drop spindles.. |
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67rustavenger wrote: |
No, not on ball joint front suspension cars. |
Wow, I've never noticed that BJ front ends don't have the usual snubber bushing on the shock tower, and I've owned several BJ cars over the years _________________ My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom) 😏 |
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jeffrey8164 Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2018 Posts: 3818 Location: Georgia
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2022 7:11 am Post subject: Re: drop spindles.. |
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In my experience, you will lose a significant amount of turning radius with the drop spindles. _________________ Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.
“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1) |
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eashc Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2012 Posts: 340 Location: Ventura County
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TonyPgh Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2008 Posts: 1465 Location: Pa.
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Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 12:32 am Post subject: Re: drop spindles.. |
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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. _________________ 1968 Type 1
https://youtube.com/c/SladesVWBeetle |
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ashman40 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007 Posts: 15987 Location: North Florida, USA
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Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: drop spindles.. |
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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. _________________ 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!} |
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TonyPgh Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2008 Posts: 1465 Location: Pa.
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2022 12:38 am Post subject: Re: drop spindles.. |
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I agree!! That’s my current plan….two inch narrowed! Will definitely solve the rubbing.. _________________ 1968 Type 1
https://youtube.com/c/SladesVWBeetle |
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ashman40 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007 Posts: 15987 Location: North Florida, USA
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2022 9:20 am Post subject: Re: drop spindles.. |
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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. _________________ 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!} |
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