| Author |
Message |
Obi-Sean Kenobi
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2016
Posts: 24
Location: Dover, Delaware
|
 Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2022 5:52 pm Post subject: Help with rear tire issues - raising rear of Ghia |
 |
|
Trying to put wire wheels on my Ghia.
Had custom adapters made, but the rear tires are bumping against the rear fenders.
Is there a quick, easy way to raise the back of the car to give me some room?
Has anyone rolled the fenders?
Help!
Best,
Sean |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
jeffrey8164 
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2018
Posts: 3817
Location: Georgia
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2022 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: Help with rear tire issues - raising rear of Ghia |
|
|
Adjusting the rear torsion bars is relatively easy but not quick.
Please don’t modify the body.
Get some blank drums drilled to the bolt pattern of your wheels.
What is the bolt pattern and offset of the wheels?
_________________
Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.
“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Obi-Sean Kenobi
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2016
Posts: 24
Location: Dover, Delaware
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2022 8:54 am Post subject: Re: Help with rear tire issues - raising rear of Ghia |
|
|
| How much additional clearance can you get from adjusting the rear torsion bars? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Obi-Sean Kenobi
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2016
Posts: 24
Location: Dover, Delaware
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2022 8:59 am Post subject: Re: Help with rear tire issues - raising rear of Ghia |
|
|
I’ve read that coil over spring shocks will get me some additional clearance. Has anyone had any experience with this and how much additional space this may give?
Any link to the best coil over spring shocks for a 69 Ghia? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jeffrey8164
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2018
Posts: 3817
Location: Georgia
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2022 9:27 am Post subject: Re: Help with rear tire issues - raising rear of Ghia |
|
|
| Obi-Sean Kenobi wrote: |
| How much additional clearance can you get from adjusting the rear torsion bars? |
You can easily raise it a couple of inches.
Beyond that you’ll need different CVs, longer shocks etc.
_________________
Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.
“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jeffrey8164
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2018
Posts: 3817
Location: Georgia
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2022 9:30 am Post subject: Re: Help with rear tire issues - raising rear of Ghia |
|
|
| Obi-Sean Kenobi wrote: |
I’ve read that coil over spring shocks will get me some additional clearance. Has anyone had any experience with this and how much additional space this may give?
Any link to the best coil over spring shocks for a 69 Ghia? |
I’ve tried coil overs when I was chasing my clearance issues. Even at their stiffest adjustment, they only provided about 1/2 an inch. The ride suffered as well.
_________________
Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.
“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bones 53
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 661
Location: Reno NV
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2022 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: Help with rear tire issues - raising rear of Ghia |
|
|
| Narrowed trailing arms will give you clearance plus rear camber is set by adjusting the trailing arms. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bones 53
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 661
Location: Reno NV
|
| Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2022 6:55 pm Post subject: Re: Help with rear tire issues - raising rear of Ghia |
|
|
| There was an article some time ago on how to narrow trailing arms |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1677
Location: Raleigh, NC
|
| Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2022 6:01 am Post subject: Re: Help with rear tire issues - raising rear of Ghia |
|
|
| Bones 53 wrote: |
| There was an article some time ago on how to narrow trailing arms |
There are also folks who will do this work for you.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1725100
Jacking up the rear of the car is going to give the car an absurd looking rake. Either modify the trailing arms, or give up on these wheels and get some that actually fit the car.
_________________
Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD
Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bones 53
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005
Posts: 661
Location: Reno NV
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2022 7:49 pm Post subject: Re: Help with rear tire issues - raising rear of Ghia |
|
|
If you do narrow the trailing arms you will need shorter axles. Type 3 automatic trans driver's side axles work but you need a pair of them. I think someone a while back was selling some welded narrow axles. Then again you might be able to have them made.
I did this on my 73 convertible and used bus CV's. It all worked great. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
