Official "Ball Joint" lowering topic

[Chris333]

Yes I have shocks. Cut the lower shock mounts off and flipped them along with the arms. The upper mounts were cobbled up. The shocks are Corvette length I think,

Here is the "build thread" https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683868&sid=707d320e77a9c3137c19dd5968eb7ca5

To do a tranny lift after the mounts and shifter it is mostly sheet metal work. I've never done it, but it would have been easier before I re-built the whole car.

[L51C_75]

[db69]

Just for a reference here is a pic of my 69 with 2.5” drop spindle/disc brake kit with stock width bj beam and 185-55 15” riviera wheels 5.5 wide. Notice the tires do stick out past it the fenders. I’m not crazy about that but it doesn’t bother me enough to want to shorten the beam either. The handling is great but tires do scrub slightly when I hit a pothole at speed. Probably will go with 195-45’s next. We have a lot of used tire shops where I live I just kept going back and exchanging tires until I got the stance I wanted now I can get some new tires that fit and function the way I want them to. Rear tires are 205-65 15 they were the biggest I could get without scrubbing.

[VDubRyeGuy]

I haven't seen my setup posted (in detail) and it might help others. 1974 std with a 2" Narrowed adjustable beam (~$300 new), Empi Disc brakes w/ 2/1/2" drop spindles on front ($371 new), Front tires are Nankang CX668 Touring Radial Tires - 145R15 (~$55 each new), I have a 3/4" narrowed sway bar in front as well ($90 new). The sway bar is low but hasn’t been too much of an issue. Car stops on a dime in the dry, I haven't tested it in the wet yet. I have not experienced any tire rub issues even when I turn all the way in both directions
I have read a lot of complaints about Empi parts. The Empi brakes I installed are excellent. They were easy to install, easy to bleed, and work 1000% better than the drums. I highly recommend this upgrade. The kit came with drop spindles for disc brakes, rotors, calipers and hardware. The kit did not come with new lines, I used the old ones which were still good. Everything in the kit seems high quality. The kit did push out the wheel a little bit which made me have to change from Federal 165/80/R15 tires to the 145R15’s. The 165’s could barely turn without hitting the fenders.
I did all the work myself with basic tools. The Tie-rod puller was borrowed (essentially $0) from Advance auto-parts which was used to replace the spindles.
The ball joints are new but not the special lowered ones. I haven’t experienced any issues with them.
I have the adj beam in the highest setting which tend to keep the ride comfortable. When I had the adj beam set 1/2 way w/o the drop spindles the ride was unbearably stiff and uncomfortable. You could feel driving over the paint lines in the road.

Edit: After driving the car all weekend, the sway bar bottomed out a few times. The car is too low for comfort, I need to raise it about 3/4"

[pittbull]

Somebody used shock relocators?
How about that angle of the shock?

[rlajbsmith]

I built a reverse trike using a ball joint beam and a partial pan. The beam is from a 68 Ghia and the pan is from a 69 beetle. I installed adjusters to the beam and lowered the front. The height is nice. I am wanting to adjust the caster, camber and toe-in. The arms are angled up (see pictures). I was wondering if the angle is too steep or a problem. Also, I was wondering how to measure the angle of the caster. Do I measure it from the arms or on the front of the beam? Any help would be appreciated.

[frenchroast]

[Zacharysayre]

I searched and didn't find my answer. So I'm posting it here.

I got a new narrowed ball joint beam and torsion springs.

I'm trying to install the torsion bars and no matter what I've tried they won't go in.

I used a hammer but they only went in about a half an inch. The pulled them out with force.

I noticed that the sides of the torsion spring have been scratched up.

Could the adjuster have been milled on the short side.

How do I fix this problem?
_________________
If it ain't steel, it ain't real

[frenchroast]

[Zacharysayre]

I tried that trick and I also tried to leave 1 wide spring out but no luck with either of those ways.

Figured once they were partial in I would then add the last spring in. I know to install all the leaves.
_________________
If it ain't steel, it ain't real

[frenchroast]

[BayStYat]

the best way to load the leafs is to bundle them tight like they install, take a sander and round just the outer edges of the leafs. just remove the the hard 90. slight bevel. they will slip right in everytime.

[frenchroast]

[Zacharysayre]

I put a bevel on them before I tried to install them. So that didn't help.

Talked with the shop that I bought it from. They have had several other purchasers having the same issue. they have checked and the adjuster has been cut wrong. Not sure how to grind the opening bigger.

Would it be wise to grind the edge of the springs to make them fit.
_________________
If it ain't steel, it ain't real

[frenchroast]

[amaskedman]

I just went through 46 pages. My lord. Now my turn

I have a 68 with a stock front end. I want to even out the stance, nothing dramatic. From what I understand, some drop spindles would probably work. However, since I just bought a welder and have been practicing, why not make it adjustable. So, to that end.

This is what I will have
EMPI 8 Spoke 4 Lug Rim with back spacing at 4 3/8 (assuming my old rims are the same as the new ones)
Adjustable Beam using airkewld adjustors (they look cool)
Front Disc Kit (haven't decided which one)

Do you think I need drop spindles? I dont think I do. To even it out I probably need to drop it a couple inches.

[Bug53]

A fountain of info here.
Thanks for leading me over here.
I want a recommendation for the drop spindles everyone is talking about.
I want to utilize my existing drums, bearings, seals, etc.

[walter kandetzki]

Hi guys I am running riviera wheels on my 68 and I’m running 195s in the back and might be doing 175 smarts in the front.I will be running a stock width beam with adjusters welded in and probably won’t be using dropped spindles.if I lower the front 3”?and rear a notch or so will I still need lowered ball joints?

[Cwd1979a]

Officially need some help. 1970 Beetle. I’ve installed a 2” narrow adjustable beam for use with drop spindles (jbugs, not sure what what the difference is between a normal 2” adjustable beam). I’ve also installed 2.5” drop spindles and I’m trying to get Monroe air shocks MA756 on the front. The trailing arms aren’t going high enough for the shock to be fully compressed. In fact when I compress them all the way the shock is still beyond it’s marked “max air” limit. I just read that special ball joints are needed in my case but would that keep the trailing arms from going all the up? Or is it because everything is new and stiff?

[sparkle_0]

Hey team,
How does adjusters on a stock width beam lowered approx 3" or so compared to a 2" narrowed beam with drop spindles in regards to ride quality? Is there much difference between the two? (obviously with correct length shocks to match etc)