Wide 5 to 4 bolt conversion.

shaihulud Custom Title Time!

1,448 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 14 Jun 2010, 1:38 pm

#784760

I have a 1970, 1500 Beetle with 4 bolt wheels.

The swing axle gear box jumps out of top gear and I'm going to get an older swing axle gear box to replace it. The problem is that the replacement gear box has the wide 5 pattern.

I will need to convert the wide 5 to 4 bolt.

Is it a matter of swapping the brake drums?

If not where will I need to do the swap from? All the way back into the gear box or at the outer bearing fitting?

You advice will be greatly appreciated.

STIDUB Over it.

1,497 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 14 Jun 2010, 1:54 pm

#784763

the drum itself is interchangable,(have had wide 5 on irs stub previously) id imagine internals should be similar but couldnt be sure, got a drum of each? wack one on & check it out 🙂

Volkswagen Drivers Club of Queensland - member 🙂

STIDUB - yep its still a work in progress

Vwdcq club car racing/ and crashing while my bug isn't finished.

The above are personal views, no more, no less

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 14 Jun 2010, 4:05 pm

#784771

You will have to swap more than just the drums,the axle length on the early swing axle box is different,so you will have to swap the axles,tubes and rear brakes (including backing plates)to the other box prior to fitting.The ratios are slightly different but still work okay.

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 14 Jun 2010, 7:15 pm

#784805

yep as per above you can swaps the axles n tubes and brakes but the ratios will be differnt

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409