Z plates and dropped spring plates

hus22l Officially Full-On Dubber

229 posts · joined Apr 2012 · 4 Jun 2012, 11:37 am

#905849

Hi all

Am looking at dropping the back of my 67. I want the two clicks/splines height without the toe in and ridiculous negative camber issues (if possible).

I am considering adjustable spring plates, but have also seen chat on here about "notched" spring plates. Not keen on cutting up bits, as I want the option to go back to stock/original.

I understand additional length in the spring plates is also desirable - for handling and tyre wear reasons.

So where can I get pre-made "notched" spring plates? I have also read about "z plates" (the samba).

Anyone have them or have a view about what is the best option for this type of modification?

Please - this is not an invitation for modification haters to grandstand about legality. All other views, thought, advice and recommendations are welcome!

Cheers
Hus

sander288 "Bolt-on Master"

1,404 posts · joined Aug 2008 · 4 Jun 2012, 12:27 pm

#905857

Hi Hus,

These blokes from the UK make off the shelf stuff that drop the rear end

http://www.red9design.com/

If you looking to drop the back of a swing-axle and don't want crazy negative camber it's not going to happen, the suspension moves through an arc not in a straight up and down arrangement so if you want low you've got to cop the negative camber.

Something to keep in mind is if you go too low the bearings at the end of the axles won't get lubed as they rely on a supply from the gearbox down the axle tubes.

Not a fan of adjustable spring plates for the sheer fact that the spring plates are designed to flex and actually twist as the axle moves so making that into a 2 piece job joined by a screw isn't my idea of safe. This is also the only piece locating the axle where it needs to be.

my 2c

Cheers

Shaun

BMW R65 LS
1967 1300 Deluxe
Swing-axles FTW ❗

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 4 Jun 2012, 3:33 pm

#905885

I have run the adjustable swayaway spring plates for years with no issues, they are not the chineese crap you get now, as for lowering you are going to be stuck with the excess negitive camber, increase tyre wear and a crap ride.

Uber Kafer Wolfsburg Wizard

414 posts · joined Nov 2009 · 4 Jun 2012, 3:53 pm

#905889

hus22l wrote:Please - this is not an invitation for modification haters to grandstand about legality. All other views, thought, advice and recommendations are welcome!

Well put.... it needs to be spelled out occasionally.

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 4 Jun 2012, 4:03 pm

#905892

no mention of modification hate or grand standing about legality, just advice gained by experence

modulus Veteran Volks Folk

2,009 posts · joined Jul 2003 · 4 Jun 2012, 4:34 pm

#905897

As sander288 has pointed out, if you lower a swing-axle rear in the normal way, whether with notched or z-plates or spline adjustment, you get negative camber and its consequences. The only ways to lower significantly without the negative camber are:
- change to IRS or
- raise the gearbox relative to the pan or
- lower the body relative to the pan.
The first is a common modification, the second is a lot of palaver but other modifiers here have done it and the third is hardly seen in the VW scene but is common in hot-rods (channeling).

hth

Peter Hill
1975 Type 2 Double Cab
modulus.com.au

hus22l Officially Full-On Dubber

229 posts · joined Apr 2012 · 4 Jun 2012, 6:44 pm

#905925

Appreciate the comments everyone. I will check the red9 crew out. Will be in the uk later in the year, so might save on freight! 👍👍