Stock wheels don't fit

hobbybob517 · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:55 am Post subject: Stock wheels don't fit

Hi guys,

a while back i did a disc conversion on the front,

i used my drum spindles and my stock shocks.

now i'm trying to get my stock wheels back on, and they are hitting the shocks,

i guess i could get spacers, but i'd rather have the wheels fitting good.

i have these wheels...

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

i wouldn't mind having the old style wheels with the chromed cap,

would that fit? i'm not sure what the stock ET is for those wheels
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johnR · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:29 am Post subject:

This is the first time I've heard of a disc conversion reducing track width.

hobbybob517 · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:35 am Post subject:

it's weird right?

here's the disc mounted on the spindle and shock...

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Vinnems · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:54 am Post subject:

So, are you saying that the same wheels fit perfect when you have drums and no that you have discs they don't fit? Because that it very strange. Don't know what disc kit you bought, but maybe it's not as thick as the drums were? I don't know what the tolerances they build these discs to are.

hobbybob517 · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:56 am Post subject:

i got these, they're from EMPI
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Joel · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:15 pm Post subject:

Both sides or just one?

It could just be a case of EMPI hit and miss quality but a few other things come to mind, especially if its only one side.
Play in the balljoint or wheel bearings can cause that.

As can a bent strut or 2 bolt struts having worn bolts that bolt them to the spindle.

Also what size tyres are those? they are very low profile and look abit wide, that can cause it too.
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marchanel · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:45 pm Post subject:

now i'm trying to get my stock wheels back on, and they are hitting the shocks
So what is hitting the shocks?......the tires or the wheels. Those tires look kind of wide to me.

johnR · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:56 pm Post subject:

Compare a drum to the rotor. What's the difference in width from the spindle mount to the face of the drum vs face of the rotor?

One option is Topline Maxx struts which have a coil much narrower than stock. Or maybe you can find a different (narrower) spring for your stock strut.
http://www.superbeetles.com/performance101/may2.htm

johnR · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:02 pm Post subject:

From this page
http://vdubengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/WHEELFITMENTGUIDE1.pdf

"Rear springs belonging to some Honda Civics/Crx’s also fit the bill nicely. (Honda coils have an OD of 85mm vs 123mm for the original VW coil)."

johnR · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:14 pm Post subject:

...I'm a bit bored and learning about Super's suspensions... Maybe another choice is Topline's Sport+ coils, $110/pair. They might address the problem.
http://toplineparts.com/products/sportsprings.htm

flyboat · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:55 pm Post subject:

Not suggesting anything about your mechanical prowess, but did you leave out the outer race on the inner bearing? You know, the one you have to pound in with a punch.
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hobbybob517 · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 12:17 am Post subject:

Bruce · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2012 12:24 am Post subject:

hobbybob517 · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:22 am Post subject:

marchanel · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:36 am Post subject:

Are those 14" wheels? They look small. My '72 standard uses 15" wheels. What size wheels are recommended for your SB?

Chris Vellat · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:52 am Post subject:

Perhaps a staggered set? Didn't put the front rims on back and vice-versa?

The rears look like 5.5 ET26 (low backspace) reverse-center sport bug rims...on front it's harder to say...
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marchanel · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:02 am Post subject:

I would guess that the discs you put on are designed to work with stock wheels and tires. I don't think those wheels are stock for that car.

ashman40 · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:37 pm Post subject:

Can you post the actual tire size you are running and possibly the wheel specs (width and back spacing/offset)?

And if you don't mind... please stop referring to your front dampers as "shocks". Wink

They are actually "McPherson struts" (spring and cartridge damper combo). With struts you replace the "strut" or the "cartridge"... no "shocks" involved.

It could well be that the tolerances of the Empi disc kit are off just enough to get your tires rubbing.
If the tire is rubbing at the top ,have you tried to adjust camber (positive camber)?

Worse case, you could add a small spacer (I can't believe I'm suggesting this)... or get smaller diameter springs (assuming they are rubbing on the springs).
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}
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
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johnR · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:54 pm Post subject:

There is a long thread about sport wheels here
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=342552

They definitely look to be 5.5" wide. My guess is they are Porsche 914 ET40 but hard to tell.

Chris Vellat · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:04 pm Post subject:

I ran a 5.5" (195/60's) set comprised of ET26 Sport rims in back (w/3/8" spacers) and ET40 914 Sport rims on front...the difference is 14mm or ~9/16". You can see how the poster may have an issue if he has a mis-matched set of rims.

I've been at car shows and pointed out to guys their rims vary in offset from side-to-side on the same axle...stuff gets mixed up.

If you do need a spacer, Audi lug-bolts from the 80's are a bit longer, but also M14x1.5 ball-seat...check clearance to drum brake linkage.
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'67 Baja
'74 Super
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