Brakes and lowering.

[Kowalski]

Thinking of doing a disc brake conversion on my Beetle and while I am at it I might lower the front.

Couple of questions.

Best way to lower the front (dropped spindles maybe)
Does anyone know if anywhere sells a kit that includes the brake disc conversion and whatever I need to lower it.

Also while I am at it I am thinking of putting some different wheels on it, BRM's perhaps. What size tyres should I consider?

1200 standardish.

[Shamrockez]

is yours torsion bar or ball joint?

[Kowalski]

Torsion - I think.

[Shamrockez]

If it's torsion then dropped spindles retain the original ride quality and give it a modest drop. If you want to put disks on it to you'll need to get the dropped spindles which are ok to use with disks.

Also DS push your track out by around an inch, disks do the same (how much depends on what kit) - which can leave you with the wheels sticking out from under the arches (especially if you have aftermarket wheels) or if it's low enough - 'fender brakes' where the Bug's wheels touch the wings on cornering etc...

Normally with just DS I would imagine it would be no problem keeping the original size tyres. Don't put anything too small on the front if you're not going too low otherwise it will look rediculous!

[Shamrockez]

is yours torsion bar or ball joint?
what a numpty :rolleyes: I mean spring or torsion/bj...

Is the spare wheel flat or upright? I know little about Mexis I'm afraid.

I don't know much about disks either - never had anything with enough power to warrent them :o but Machine 7 are normally highly reccomended.

[Kowalski]

Mexi built bugs are pretty much the same as the last German ones built (only better) so upright spare wheel.

You confued me when you said torsion or ball joint!! Flat screen so torsion.

Don't really need discs as its only 34hp but drums are a pain. I thought while I drop it I may as well change to discs.

Yep Machine 7 are excellent. I ordered lots of stuff from them this week and they customer service is incredible. I read all the feedback on their website and it is definitely justified.

I am not spending any more money on the NB so I have to get my VW fix somehow. I have big plans.

[Shamrockez]

02s are flat screen tho and they're spring..... tis confusing!

Anyway - it's torsion/ball joint so dropped spindles would work on it.

yeah I don't think i've ever heard someone say anything bad about Machine 7 :)


What's the plans then?

[Kowalski]

Several plans tbh.
Engine is being spruced up soon, having the block painted and all ancillaries cleaned and or painted. I want to be wowed when I open the engine lid!
New wheels, but havent decided on which yet, either BRM's or 914 as they are not a millions miles different.
New interior in Leather and plush carpets - this is gonna cost a couple of quid tho.

I am also after a chrome pedal assembly but no one in the UK sells them. I seen some in Canada when I lived there - I should have bought them.

The way I learnt was if its got a "pregnant" front end (1302 or 1303) its strut, everything else is torsion. I had completey forgotten about the 02's tho, not seen one in ages.

Wheels are 4x130 aren't they?

[Dub-Diva]

When you lower the front you'll need smaller tyres... ours had 145/65 on the front and big fat 185/65 on the back, but you can run standards on the back, I just like the look of skinny and fat tyres on a slammed bug ;)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee232/house_of_dubs/1959%20Rat-Bug/vin2.jpg

When we were lowering our splitscreen bus, I ordered loads of bits from Machine 7, the guy to speak to is Mikey... he's really helpful :)

[Shamrockez]

Yeah 4x100.

Unfortunatly 4 stud Bugs have a pants choice of wheels compared to 5 stud :(

Quite like Riveras tho..

[Kowalski]

Sham, 4x100 or do you mean 4x130?

There are some good wheels out there depending on where you look. I have seen a nice set sold in Canada but not telling which ones. (yet)

[Shamrockez]

Sorry, yes 4x130 :)

[MrYellowbug]

Lucys having a bad day

I have an adjustable beam thats wound right down now, still not low enough for me (dispite ripping my anti roll bar off on my gate)

I'll be shopping for dropped spindles at volksworld (ssp has just dropped the price of ball joint drum brake spindles to £129 so bargain!!)

[Shamrockez]

you don't need an ARB that low anyway ;)

[Dub-Diva]

ARB... who needs one of them anyway! lol

[MrYellowbug]

Thats what i thought you'd say ;)