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Lowering the front Q's

I have a '70 Beetle I'm about to begin resurrecting after parking it for almost 7 years(!). For now, I plan to use it as a daily driver, but I have a '92 Pathfinder that will work during times that I'm doing specific projects on the Beetle. One of the reasons I parked it was the right front shock tower rusted completely off of the beam. I actually drove it like that for about 6 months (and it didn't do too bad).

I plan to lower the car a little, mainly to close the gap under the fenders. I would also like to roll on Empi-style 8-spokes, although I don't know what widths or anything yet.

Can I get some expert advice on the best way to lower? Since I'm replacing the beam, I was going to just buy one with adjusters in it. Is this the best route, or should I be using drop spindles (or a combination of both)?

At what point will the wheels rub, and if I go with a 2" narrowed beam, will this dramatically improve the situation? When they rub, is it from hitting bumps (and the tire rubs the lip of the fender) or is it in the turns?

I also need input on where to buy. CB Performance sells new bare Puma front beams with adjusters for $170 (I think stock width or narrowed are the same price, but I'm not sure). Are these good quality, and will they bolt right up? I've had problems in the past with aftermarket exhausts that were so poorly made that they couldn't even be installed (purchased from a different vendor), and I wouldn't want to run into an issue like that.

This got a little long, but I am looking for lots of info. Thanks for any input.

Aaron '70 Beetle

Reply to
Aaron and Aimee Ness
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Short answer.... Don't go with adjusters. Use drop spindles (add disc brakes while you're at it). The drop spindles will maintain front end geometry and won't play havoc with handling and alignment.

Reply to
Alan Nelson

Are the adjusters a bad thing, or is it their improper adjustment that causes problems? It might be fun to slam it just because I can, on occasion, and they don't add much to the cost of the beam, which I have to buy anyway.

The ads indicate the drop spindles push the wheels out and the narrowed beam pulls them back in. Is 2" sufficient, or should I go with more? How much drop do I get with drop spindles? I'm guessing I need somewhere in the neighborhood of 2-3" to make the gap disappear.

I want to be sure I don't have to basically go with bicycle tires under the front once it's dropped, because I like to hang it out in the twisties whenever I can (and they just look kind of silly).

I agree completely with the disc brake comment - the difference between my Beetle and my former rotted-out '70 Ghia was pretty significant.

Aaron '70 Beetle

Reply to
Aaron and Aimee Ness

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