I was wondering if a few of you L Bug owners can help me out.I want to fit wider wheels on the front of mine and I know that I have to go in with them.To do this I will have to Fit smaler springs to the struts.I don't Know if any one has seen the springs in some of the american magazines that fit in place of the standard springs. They start off standard size then taper in smaller then taper back out to standard.
Has any one tried these? They look like an easy way to fix the problem rather than change the whole strut.I have checked with a local spring maker and he tells me that he could posibly make them for me.I need the mesurement of a standard L Bug spring while it is sitting on it's wheels (not jacked up) so he can set the springs when he makes them. I can't mesure mine as they have been altered.
I hope somone can help me out with this mesurement or direct me to somone that already sells them in australia.

thanks Gary.

Hi

Some guys on the German Look forum have been using Honda springs, which very smalll in diameter, do a search here http://www.germanlook.com/Forums/

1302Steve

I have just done the same thing, before you shell out for new springs check the offset of the new rims, (if you are getting them) mine ended up having much more positive(?) offset and I didn't have to modify the suspension at all. I am still going to get new struts in the future, but only for handling purposes.

Sorry no techy response from me I'm just a noob

Thats a good site 1302steve I have never checked it out before.Too many options to try and so little money to do it with.
Egeworks I am getting my wheels made and they can only go in as you are only alowed one weld to be legal.They make them out of two rims.I also can't go out as the wheels are on the edge of the guards already.
So can anyone help me out with a standard L Bug mesurement??
Gary

What width rims are you planning on using ? I have empi 8's (15 x 6 or 15 x 5.5, I cant recall which) and they have 195 65 series tyres on them and they dont come close to the standard springs.

If you arent going massive, you might be able to get away without changing anything.

Thanks for your replys Doug and Blue74L.I tried some Empi 8 spoke when I first started and they hung out of the guards 25mm.So I decided to have my standard rims widened.My wheel maker has mesured up my Bug and he said I will have to make some clearence on the inside to fit 5 1/2''.He should know as he is a Hot rodder and he does engineering inspections also.AS for my Bug it is a 2 bolt and I have already lowered the perch 1 1/2'' and also(naughy Boy) removed two rings off the top of the springs. Thats why I can't mesure up mine. I will check out Super Beetles only and see if there are any posts about them.My spring maker recons they would work well.
Thanks again keep the comments coming. Gary.

The VW FACTORY had an optional 5 1/2" wheel for superbugs..so you should not need any extra clearance ..The ET was 26 for three bolt struts and 34 for two bolt struts. They only ran 175/70 x 15 tyres though...try finding those!.. so the only clearance issue is the tyre width.

For those who are interested...

I think I'm one of the few that haven't lowered my bug... :P
And I had the stock spring height between cups measured over the weekend, it's about 235 - 240mm.

Ron

I have falred the guard 10mm and now fit 195/60r15 on grey mangels with no problems. with a 35mm lower front end to.

What I might do is get my wheels done and fit some tyres,then try them on before I do any thing about the springs.My wheel maker mesured it up when I got the quote and he recons there won't be enough clearence.It sounds like if I stick to 185 tyres I might get away with it.Thanks for all your input I'll keep you's posted.
Gary.

I had some 5 1/2" steelies fitted on the front with 185 tyres.
No problems with clearance using stock springs and guards.

Now I wanna get the front lowered!!!

Ron:bounce

i also had 14x6 and 205 65 on my 73superbug and thay dident stick out of hit the gards anywere