Dropped Disc Spindles, are the wheel bearings the same?

[bungi]

Guys -

Working on my Manta kit car, need to switch my ball joint front axle to disc brakes. I plan on getting larger vented rotors with a Chevy stud pattern. Are the wheel bearings the same for drums as they are for discs?

I want to get the spindles now while I have the cash and the discs in the spring but wanted to put the old drums on to be able to roll the car around on wheels? Will it work?

What are my options for calipers?

Thanks

Rick
(Freezing in WI)

[vw (o\!/o) nut]

What spindles are you considering?

I'm freezing in WI, too.
_________________
"Curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a prime suspect."

[GS guy]

I'm pretty sure all the dropped spindles use the late-model "big bearing" sizes for the OEM disc hubs. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here...
I think there were different bearing sizes on the very earliest BJ spindles? Don't recall exactly what the differences were.

The only real way to tell is to just get the spindles you want and try your hubs and bearings on them - they'll either fit, or not! Not a whole lot of options here as far as I know.

As far as calipers, I think the only available bolt-on style is the OEM style Vargas. Some adapting is possible though - some are running 944 calipers and vented discs on these spindles (which seems appropriate on a Manta!).

Check out: vdubengineering.com

Also, Airkewled advertises on the Samba and has some pretty trick disc brake kits too.
_________________
70's vintage Deserter GS buggy - undergoing transformation to Super GS!

[coolrydes]

The earlier ball joint spindles do in fact use a smaller inner bearing. The later ball joint spindles use a larger inner bearing. This is the same bearing if it drum or disc brakes. As far as I know all lowered and disc brake after market spindles use the later style bearing.

A quick way to find out what you have is if you have a micrometer measure the inner bearing surface of the spindle. If you have the later spindles the surface will measure 21mm.

Another thing to know is that the earlier spindles also use a smaller diameter tie rod ends (the wedge where it seats in the spindle).

hope this helps

As for calipers any thing over stock Ghia /vw calipers are more then you'll ever need for the street. Our S2 model with the Subaru 330hp 6 cylinder engine that uses 215/40/17 front tires and 275/35/18 in the rear, can and will lock up the front tires if you hit the brakes too hard. The problem with Manx style cars is that they have no weight up front, so you get no traction.
_________________
Kevin "Coolrydes" Zagar

COOLRYDES So-Cal CUSTOMS
MENDEOLA SUSPENSION
THE HOME OF STYLE AND PERFORMANCE
www.CoolRydescustoms.com

[Russ Wolfe]