Author Topic: Hammering The Front With Adj. Beam - Problem! (Read 1643 times)

phat_dub · « **on:** February 25, 2005, 09:23:27 AM »

Hi everyone,

im new to ACVW's so bear with me...

so my mechanic and i hammered the front of my 65 beetle using the adjustable beam and now my front shocks dont fit (standard length bilstein hd's).

my question is, if i installed drop spindles that should buy 2.5\" of travel correct? would that be enough to fit my shocks? or is there shortend struts that i need to buy??

TIA

James Buchan · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2005, 09:40:53 AM »

There is a shorter shock that some use with a lowered beam - but if you go with lowered spindles like you mentioned you MAY be able to fit you existing shocks.... but what would ride quality be like I wonder.

I found with my car running a lowered beam (not set to low) and lowered spindles that the ride was to stiff with KYB gas shocks which I would presume are softer than your HD's.

Also the only beetle with struts are Super's (71 and up)

notchback · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2005, 09:57:47 AM »

Adding dropped spindles will make your ride a lot better but I would install a light gas shock or a stock oil shock. If you dont add dropped spindles just add kyb lowered shocks

dannyboy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2005, 09:59:19 AM »

i dont know about the bilstein shocks, but i know with stock oil shocks there is a rubber bushing up inside the bell of the shock that can be cut down by drilling out the spot welds and taking the bell off, and voila more shock travel... but again i dont know what the inside of a bilstein looks like, otherwise you can buy a shock for lowered front ends, but its only made for the lowest of lows, even my brothers old 74 with about 2\" off the ground the lowered shocks were too short.

HeliMike · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2005, 10:30:11 AM »

Do yourself a favour and get some dropped spindles and turn the bars up a bit or you're going to end up diong the \"pee-pee dance\" every time you get out of the car after drivin' it for a while. I think Airspeed's got the forged spindles at a good price if that's what way you decide to go.
Also don't forget to install the proper zirks and grease the hell out of the beam until it's squirtin' out the sides.
I lurnded dat wun duh hard way eh. :wacko:

phat_dub · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2005, 10:38:31 AM »

does the forged beam that airspeed carries push out the track?? or do they buy them from CIP?

i know CIP's spindles do...

Gutterslug: What do you mean by greasing the beam?

HeliMike · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2005, 06:54:46 PM »

Pump lotsa grease (chassis grease in a tube) into the beam via a grease gun and the little grease fittings threaded into the beam. I believe there are 4 fittings total if I remember correctly. If you have an aftermarket-built beam they probably aren't in there so you'll have to find the right ones to fit the threaded holes in the beam.
Why not narrow it while you're at it? :lol:

Good luck.