Why IRS ?

HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 15 Jul 2010, 3:40 pm

#790718

Phil, Rosemeyer was, in my opinion, one of the best! The story goes that he was a motorbike rider, and he asked for a drive of the Auto Union at a test day. He went out and lapped quicker than anyone had ever done before. 👍 The rest is history. He met his end on the speed record attempt, as you said, when hit by a cross wind.

Cross winds and swing-axles are not good friends. At Bathurst in 1962, my Beetle was motoring happily down Con-Rod Straight (no Caltex Chase then, staight all the way)at 102 MPH (165 KPH) when suddenly at the exit of the cutting the cross wind hit! The car hopped sideways about a metre and woke me up immediately. Rocking the body like that causes rear wheel steer, as one rear wheel 'toes out' as the other 'toes in'. A bit scary when you're not expecting it, but it never caught me again - next time I was ready for it.😂

Cheers, Greg

I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 15 Jul 2010, 4:42 pm

#790726

i for one would love to hear and see youre theories greg as im a swinger link pin terrorist too!

You coming up to valla?

PAZZAN Wolfsburg Wizard

592 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 15 Jul 2010, 5:06 pm

#790730

another brave man Damien,🙅: swing axle is ok when u known what your doing not for beginners..👍

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 15 Jul 2010, 5:12 pm

#790731

oh dear im in trouble then!

sander288 "Bolt-on Master"

1,404 posts · joined Aug 2008 · 15 Jul 2010, 7:28 pm

#790749

that said, you'll never know what your doing if you never start... so we should all drive swingers and go hard! 😁

BMW R65 LS
1967 1300 Deluxe
Swing-axles FTW ❗

donn Wolfsburg Elder

3,515 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 15 Jul 2010, 7:43 pm

#790754

sander288 wrote:that said, you'll never know what your doing if you never start... so we should all drive swingers and go hard! 😁

Gotta be a few lines in there somewhere but I think I'll just move right on along. 😘

I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!

Ben386 Officially Full-On Dubber

244 posts · joined Apr 2010 · 15 Jul 2010, 8:05 pm

#790763

When I built my bug(1990),the advantage of an IRS chasis over a swing axle was that the later gear box was stronger.Is this still the case,or can you now build a strong swing arm box.
I blew 2 early boxes when I had swing axle.(1640cc P plater)The IRS chasis and later box seemed to be much tougher.
I also found that with the IRS chasis,from a 69 semi auto, my 66 delux handled alot better.
Im no expert but if you go swing axle,run a camber/caster bar like they do in formula vee.It will minimise rear wheel tuck,prone to swing axle suspensions.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 15 Jul 2010, 10:40 pm

#790818

HappyDaze wrote:The rear suspension often referred to as 'IRS' is, IMHO, trailing- arm.

Surely swing-axle and trailing-arm are both independent rear suspension (IRS).🤪 Hope it doesn't sound pedantic, but non-VW people - yes, there are some - have trouble understanding.

Cheers, Greg

P.S. Guess which IRS I prefer? 😂

Naturally they are both Independant rear suspension...
not a live axle which was in one piece...
either wheel can go up or down....

but swing axles YIKES...

the wheels go in and out.... while you are driving...

massive camber changes... can't be good at speed..

and I've never rolled a CV joint IRS.... lol
because the wheels don't go in and out....

so, I'm a converted IRS person... VW driver...

LEE

THE BEETLE HANDBOOK [ENGLISH TRANSLATION]

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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

PAZZAN Wolfsburg Wizard

592 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 16 Jul 2010, 7:41 am

#790846

ok u swingaxle guys lets see u blokes enter a supersprint at easterncreek,love to see a swinger going through turn 1 at 180 kph plus😂
😂

HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 16 Jul 2010, 7:48 am

#790849

I'd have a go, but my car won't do 180kph.👎 It does (or did)😢 the kink at Wakefield at 160kph, though.👍

Cheers, Greg

I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

PAZZAN Wolfsburg Wizard

592 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 16 Jul 2010, 7:57 am

#790850

been in a spin at turn 1 at 190kph in my old bug went around 4 times in the middle of 25 other racers lots of smoke of the tyres but never felt lke it was going to roll...wakefield kink is a non event sorry🙅

HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 16 Jul 2010, 11:54 am

#790894

Turn one at Eastern Creek IS great - been round there at over 200kph in the 'VW Fairmont' (GT-3 Porsche). 🙄That's got a proper rear end though (double wishbones)😂

Cheers, Greg

I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

PAZZAN Wolfsburg Wizard

592 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 16 Jul 2010, 1:11 pm

#790904

gt3 thats cheating👍