Hi there
I'm hoping someone can clear up these 4 questions up for me.
I am fitting a front disk brake kit to my 1960 link pin front end and the kit came with drop spindles.
I intend to put empi gt-5 wheels on it and don't want to put ridiculosly narrow tyres on them.
1 - Do I need a narrowed beam??
2 - What's the better way, drop spindles & narrowed beam or narrowed/adjustable beam with original spindles?
3 - What size tyres can I use with the beam?
4 - What else needs to be replaced when fitting a narrowed beam?
Thanks in advance
Using a disc brake kit and empi rims causes their own issues.
Depending on the kit you're using, I think the spindles are specific for the kit and you can't just use your original which are designed for drum brakes. The kit also probably widens the track as do most drop spindles by atleast an inch.
The Empi rims are also 5.5 inch wide with a beetle offset, not the ghia/ type 3 offset so this effectively pushes the rim closer to the fender.
Therefore ..
1. You probably need atleast a 2 inch narrowed beam , esp to fit the empi rims
2. Depends how low you want, but a narrowed beam with adjusters allows fine tuning with the dropped spindles ( ?? 2-2.5 inch drop on their own)
3. which beam ?? Depends on how narrowed, how low, which rim offset you use etc etc to avoid tire rubbing
4. Depending on which beam you buy, but needs shortened leaves and tie rods, best time to replace worn joints.
I'm no expert, but would recommend you PM captainvw about buying a narrowed beam ( he also has a 50's KG 😉 ),
Pat
click airkweld in you tube - planning to spend 6 - 10k with Peter there on 1960 kg - the only concern is he has 17in tyres set up whish is vw beetle - this is not what I will be doing - 4inch narrowed bar all new Bad brakes front and rear and all the normal parts to do entire front end and rear end. Great help - simply tell him what you want for your look and send him pixs of your setup he will do the rest - just be certain you get well versed otherwise you could spend a bucket load of money and not get what you want. I have a 1960 kg front disc brakes, lowered and irs at rear. The entire front end is a backyard johny venture with whoever did the work and thought it through was keen to reinvent the wheel.
ashbaxter wrote:Hi there
I'm hoping someone can clear up these 4 questions up for me.
I am fitting a front disk brake kit to my 1960 link pin front end and the kit came with drop spindles.
I intend to put empi gt-5 wheels on it and don't want to put ridiculosly narrow tyres on them.
1 - Do I need a narrowed beam??
2 - What's the better way, drop spindles & narrowed beam or narrowed/adjustable beam with original spindles?
3 - What size tyres can I use with the beam?
4 - What else needs to be replaced when fitting a narrowed beam?
Thanks in advance
Hi
dropped spindles lower the front INSTANTLY... no adjusting.
if its too low... and rubbing on the edge of the guards..
You would need to narrow the beam so the tyres don;'t rub
I personally like the adjusters so You can lower Your front or put it higher in a few minutes...
so, You can have it low on city roads and a bit higher when going on country roads etc...
wheels still in same position on car...
same shock adsorbers... same wheels.. tyres..etc
fitting disc brakes to the front [NOT dropped spindles] is also a good idea..
:LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
ashbaxter wrote:Hi there
I'm hoping someone can clear up these 4 questions up for me.
I am fitting a front disk brake kit to my 1960 link pin front end and the kit came with drop spindles.
I intend to put empi gt-5 wheels on it and don't want to put ridiculosly narrow tyres on them.
1 - Do I need a narrowed beam??
2 - What's the better way, drop spindles & narrowed beam or narrowed/adjustable beam with original spindles?
3 - What size tyres can I use with the beam?
4 - What else needs to be replaced when fitting a narrowed beam?
Thanks in advance
Hi
what width are the new wheels? 5 inch 5.5 inch 6 inch ??
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
Ash give Richard a call at V Force he has a bit of experience with this sort of thing. I am running 6"x15' rims on my Ghia and initially had a bit of trouble with guard clearances,the tyres used to hit on full lock whilst turning through a dip.
yes, go the narrowed beam / dropped spindles / with adjusters - combo.
We put dropped spindles on our 67 Karmann Ghia and the tyres rub on the inside of the fenders. Car is almost unuseable until we get a narrowed beam, probably 2 inch narrowerer needed.
I tried various wheel & tyre combinations but there is no way around it, even with the narrowest tyre on a typical 15" x 5" alloy. Dont be tempted to modify the lip on the wheel arch, it ruins the lines of the body instantly.
These days if you buy a narrowed beam from the main parts suppliers most of them already come with adjusters.
heya
4 inch narrowed beam - front and rear disc brakes - front tyres will be 205 40 R7S - rear tyres 215 45 R17S.
Not totally convinced 17 inch wheels will be most suited a bit more convincing will be needed before I part with the spondoola more leaning to 16 inch wheels.
Its a numbers game you have to measure the maximum width of inside wall of tyre well then deduct tyre width allowing for OFFSET then measuring the maximum width of front end fitted with drum or disc wheelsecuring face to wheel securing face then compare the numbers.
It is really basic in its simplicity - here is the question BUT what is the most desirable clearence in straight line traveling and then full lock?
Went with 15" gt5 drop spindles and narrowed beam also put short axles
On the rear. The body is still off so when it goes back on I will check out tyres
I managed to get 15" Empi 5's on with beam adjusters only. No rubbing!
That looks nice what size tyres have you got on it?
Also I see you are missing the chrome strips on the doors I have a new set I'm not using Pm me if interested
Thanks but the car has long since gone. From memory it had 185/65/15 tyres on the front and 205/70/15 on the rear. The rears were tight but didn't rub. Cars now in Geelong and has been restored.
Cheers
Steve
No prob steve thanks for the tyre info
No prob steve thanks for the tyre info
2 bags of cement is quikka
and 14" tyres on hotwires lol
want any vw bits old but like me, Made in Germany!!!
Wheels are on now all done empi gt5 with 165/80 on the front and 195/65 on the rear with the short axles all is good
