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lowering my beetle ?
Resto64 - August 23rd, 2004 at 09:30 PM

hi after some info on the best way to lower the rear of my beetle?
whats needed etc....
dont know to much about it so the more info the better.
Ta


PHAT BUG - August 25th, 2004 at 08:23 AM

You only really need a basic tool kit to do it and thats it.

first remove the 3 bolts that hold axle to the spring plate, make sure your hand brake is off so you can swing the axle out of the way, then remove the 4 bolts that that hold the cover plate, where the spring plate is attached to the torsion bar, and remove the cover plate, now you'll notice the spring plate is sitting on a stop at the base, meaning the spring plate is under tension, so when you pry the spring plate off the stop have all body parts out of the way! now you can remove the spring plate from the torsion bar and adjust to where you want your car to sit, then reassemble.

I normally go 1 outer spline which give about a 2 1/2in drop

as per photo:


PHAT BUG - August 25th, 2004 at 08:26 AM

Or you could go 2 outer splines like my Beetle and have your mudflaps draging on the ground!!


s-deez - August 29th, 2004 at 12:02 PM

I have my beetle up on stands @ the moment & was going 2 tackle the rear so thanks for the tips, this forum is awsome.

This is my first for doing major things, but i sorta new a little of how 2 lower the rear, but what i have read b4 sorta worries me a little i have alway read it can be dangerous, when u lever it out does it drop?? help~

Can u tell me a little about neg camber I dont like, I now of is it the pos when it is jacked up inwards, so if i go down 1 is that going to make a major slant on my rear wheels. how do u correct it cause i have seen lowered rides with & without.

Also I am putting in cb spindles @ front does this correct it & r they easy 2 install. thanks


lugnuts - August 29th, 2004 at 07:11 PM

If u have a swing axle at std height yuv got + camber at the back,when u lower it a bit it will be level, abit more will be - camber,and theres bugger all u can do about it unless you convert to FULL IRS,but im usually wrong so wait for some more feedback dude :thumb


s-deez - August 30th, 2004 at 07:08 PM

THANKS LUGNUTS~


PHAT BUG - August 31st, 2004 at 06:25 AM

Yes it will drop so have all appendages out of the way, If your cars at standard hight now and you lower it 1 spline you will get a little negative camber, but nothing major.

Like lugnuts said the only way to fix this is to convert to full IRS.


PHAT BUG - August 31st, 2004 at 06:28 AM

PS the pic of the grey beetle above is a '64 with swing axle rear, its been dropped one spline and really doesn't have to much negative camber.


Resto64 - August 31st, 2004 at 07:17 AM

thanks for the help Phat!!!
has the 64 in the pic had the front done and if so did you use drop spindles or what?
thanks again


s-deez - August 31st, 2004 at 05:15 PM

THANKS PHAT BUG~


vw54 - August 31st, 2004 at 05:20 PM

It would be a good idea to measure the angles before you go too far... also fit new rubber bushes as well there most proberly stuffed.

set the car up level first so u can check the swing arm angle then make adjustments from there.


PHAT BUG - August 31st, 2004 at 07:13 PM

Thats good advice Dave!

The '64 has had avis adjusters fitted to the front beam, to give about 4 inches of adjustment.