Kombi narowed beam?

crazyfiggi Wolfsburg Wizard

657 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 4 Jan 2005, 9:48 pm

#287769

Hey everyone, im building a narowed front beam for my split kombi and dont know what to do about the bump stops that they came with from factory. I have done a lont of research and all the pictures of narowed beams i have found dont run bump stops, would i need them? Its going to be low and i just dont want the tyres to touch the top of the wheel arch over big bumps.
Thanks,
Alex.

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 4 Jan 2005, 9:54 pm

#287772

Hi

1500 beetle shocks had an internal bumpstop, maybe you could do something similar.

Steve

[Edited on 4-1-2005 by 1302Steve]

57kombi Hannover Elder

2,544 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 5 Jan 2005, 10:13 am

#287940

If you are just narrowing the beam you wont have to move the bump stops as narrowing doesnt lower it.

If you lower the beam by fitting adjusters, cut and weld or with lowered spindles, you will have to move the bump stops.
I have lowered my beam by fitting dropped spindles and I had to cut the bump stops at the top, bend them down and re-weld them.
Otherwise the tyres WILL rub out on the inner guard, under the seat.

Cheers
Dave

splitbusaustralia Wolfsburg Wizard

487 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 5 Jan 2005, 12:35 pm

#287991

Hmmm,

Dave, I’ve got to say you shouldn’t have to cut off yer bump stops with dropped spindles (cos they’re bottoming out all the time) and yer tyres shouldn’t be hitting the underfloor (partic if you’re running 165s which you are?).

Dropped spindle beams do bottom out on the bump stops under ‘extreme’ duress (like a normal beam) but it shouldn’t be a constant annoying event.

I’d guess there’s something else going on with your front end and I’d guess worn or ‘saggy’ torsion leaves (in the beam). They’re probably far too ‘soft’ allowing the torsion arms to bottom out (and tyres rub underfloor, be worse if bumpstops are off) too easily……

Your bus is probably also riding a bit lower than it would on the spindles alone because of this?

????????????????????????

RobK

p.s. yes - beams are normally narrowed and lowered rather than just narrowed. Relatively easy to narrow splitty beams one inch ..... much bigger job to go narrower than that..

57kombi Hannover Elder

2,544 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 6 Jan 2005, 7:56 am

#288400

Rob.
I cut and lowered the bumpstops to stop the tyre hitting the floor., they are still there just allowing a bit less travel, works great now
I have fitted new KYB shocks and over severe bumps it would just scrape a bit, possibly due to saggy torsion leaves.
Just altered the stops to stop this.
I do drive it hard and it has had 8 people in it.
Also I forgot to add.
If you lower it by fitting adjusters, most people get rid of the bumpstops altogether so that they can get lower.

Cheers
Dave

[Edited on 5-1-2005 by 57kombi]

Daniel Seriously Crusin Dubber

191 posts · joined Oct 2003 · 11 Jan 2005, 9:13 am

#291293

Legally over here in NZ we have to have bumpstops, so I made up some removable ones for my narrowed beam. It's just a set of rear beetle bumpstops on a custom bracket mounted in between the two arms.

BenettonVW Administrator AVD Forum Founder

3,125 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 15 Jan 2005, 8:24 am

#293465

Usually it is one of the first things to go.

Depending on how low you are going, you may have to 'tub' the front, that is, add new 'high' wheel arches. Although, if you do this, it becomes pretty major as you now need to consider you seats in the front, you steering wheel height and steering box placement, etc. etc..

(Gawd.. I'm in for some fun..)

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