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lowering the front of a 1960 beetle

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matt Insano Dub Head

743 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#698619
how do i lower the front of my 1960 beetle, it has the standard front end?
thanks
matt

matt Insano Dub Head

743 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#698623
excuse my ignorance, but fit them to where and how?
thanks
matt

izac Wolfsburg Wizard

508 posts · joined Jun 2008 ·

#698631
basically cut up ur front beam and fit adjuster(s) onto the centre of torsion bar and put back together.

someone will be able to post a link or something for more detail hopefully

matt Insano Dub Head

743 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#698634
ok i am thinking that the front is sitting ok then!! hahaha

thanks
matt

matt Insano Dub Head

743 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#698788
are drop spindles better than an adjustable beam? boes anyone have a secondhand beam or spindles for sale?
thanks
matt

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#698839
matt wrote:are drop spindles better than an adjustable beam? boes anyone have a secondhand beam or spindles for sale?
thanks
matt
Dropped spindle will give you a set 2 inches of lowering whereas the adjusters will allow you to lower your ride however much you like, well depending on location of the adjusters. below is a link for the Puma/Avis adjusters. You can do Sway aways but they are more work to fit.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=64301&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=100
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

matt Insano Dub Head

743 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#698938
can get a new adjustable beam from classic veedubs, are they any good? has anyone got one from there?
thaks matt

matt Insano Dub Head

743 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#698950
vw54 wrote:give Vintage a call 02-9789-1777
will do tomorrow!! thanks

Gixer41960 Casual Dubber

31 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#754133
In relation to the drop spindles, my arch is approximately 3 inches above the tyre and I've heard a lot of talk about having to fit lower profile tyres or a narrower beam etc when using drop spindles. If the spindles are a 2 1/2 inch drop would I have to look at these options????🤪

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#754137
Most dropped spindles will add to the track width of the vehicle. With the lowering this can cause the tyres to rub on the arches.
If you use lower profile tyres then this can stop the rubbing or a narrowed beam which pulls the wheel back into the arch where there is more room 🙂
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#754138
the advantage of drop spindles are theyre a bolt in affair and dont change the suspension geometery at all, so it will still ride like stock
cons though is no adjustment, as as psimitar said they widen the track, generally about 1/2" per side which can pose problems with some rims with shitty offsets

adjusters are great for the freedom of changing the ride height at any time but the ride isnt as good and theres alot more labour involved in fitting them

i had sway aways in my black bug and they work well but the avis adjusters are a better design IMO

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#754139
The avis are certainly a better design but are a pig to fit to LP beams. Easier to fit sway aways to an LP 😉
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

matt Insano Dub Head

743 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#754141
i ended up fitting an adjustable front beam supplied from cvd

matt

Gixer41960 Casual Dubber

31 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#754149
It seems that an adjustable beam may be a better option to go otherwise I will have to look at off set rims, as well as lower profile tyres. I'm only guessing here but sway sways and the avis are adjustable beams?
The beam is welded into place isn't it? Does this effect the integrity of it at all?

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#754164
swayaways and avis are the actual adjusters themselves

the stock beam is only bolted to the bulkhead and is removed from the car and modified to have them welded on

i like avis cos theyre what the factory used on pumas and they dont require the beam to be cut like sway aways do
but thats not an issue if the weldings done right

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#754187
The avis can still take a fair bit of work to fit. Late BJ beams just have 3 dimples that hold the centre bush in place that need to be drilled out and then you can weld the Avis on but earlier BJ and all LP beams have large grooves front and back that hold the centre bush in place. These need to be cut out and 4mm plate shaped and welded back in before the Avis can be welded on.

For the amount of work involved Sway aways are easier for these type of beam 🙂

If you aren't up to doing the welding then far easier to buy a beam and fit that 🙂
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#754212
I find the sway-a-way the nicest to use as the adjustment is infinite, where as the avis you are set to the notched positions so the adjustment is much more course. Porsche have sway-a-way style from factory but fitted to an uncut beam admittedly.

The problem with buying a beam with the work done is, if a new beam they can be questionable quality, if an old beam, the wear of the internal bearings may be really BAD. Seen the latter way too much. Thats why I prefer to modify the beam from the car, and if there is too much wear in the bearings, I fix the problem, and not just not notice it 🙂.
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

matt Insano Dub Head

743 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#754215
the only reason i went with a new 1 was a. was cheaper and b. didnt have the time or experience to fit the adjusters myself.
one day i will have a go myself but life just doesnt permit me at the moment

matt

Gixer41960 Casual Dubber

31 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#754620
I think I'll take a look at Classics and see how much a new adjustable beam is worth. From all the information provided it's the way to go, and my welding certainly isn't up to scratch to try having a go myself.
Thanks heaps for the help and info. 🤓

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#754673
Gixer41960 wrote:I think I'll take a look at Classics and see how much a new adjustable beam is worth. From all the information provided it's the way to go, and my welding certainly isn't up to scratch to try having a go myself.
Thanks heaps for the help and info. 🤓
If you're near Brisbane then Dirtbag can do your currrent beam. Means you don't run the risk of thinner materials used on the new beams. 😉
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

Gixer41960 Casual Dubber

31 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#754945
Unfortunately I'm not anywhere near Brisy. Have been thinking it over tho and considering getting the narrower beam and some drop spindles just to keep the suspension at full travel.🙄

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#754953
That works mate 🙂

2 inch narrowing should do the trick for the spindles easy.
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

Gixer41960 Casual Dubber

31 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#757225
Cool thanks for the help and info.