Hi.
I'm running a weedeater beam on my '60, nice and low but the ride is so hard you find yourself bracing before every little road defect. I expected a harder ride due to the reduced spring length. but now i think it's mostly due to having the trailing arms pointing up at 30 degrees. I don't really want to go to the expence of buying dropped spindles if i can adapt what i have. So what i'm getting at is...................has anyone had any experience of swapping left to right. What's needed and how much will it drop. Any technical info would be appreciated as i have a workshop available.
Thanks.
Sinclair

So are you running K&LP's in that beam? Or ball joints?

Yes Jim K&LP's. I believe i'd need to machine the pins but that's only hearsay so far.

Its a bit hard to describe without a set in front of you, but here goes.

You take the set apart, and the top king pin that used to sit on top of the upper spindle arm, now hangs from below the lower spindle arm, and the lower king pin that used to sit on top of the lower spindle arm with the spacer above it, now hangs from below the upper spindle arm with the spacer below it.

Just read that again, and it doesn't sound too clear, but with a complete spindle set up in front of you, you'll understand it.

Then you have to reverse the link pins. Problem arises as the 'new' upper king pin fouls on the spindle. This needs to be clearanced just enough to allow the link pin in position without touching.

Most dropped spindles I've seen, leave off the dust / grease caps. But with a bit of machining, you can get those to fit as well....

Thanks jim i think i've got that. how much hight will i loose by doing this?

Are you going to the Ace on Saturday. if so i could get hold of a set for a more visual explaination.

No, I'm not going as I'm working on my bus, but you're most likely passing my door if you're coming up the M3. I could show you one I prepared earlier. (well kinda, its one I mocked togther from some dead king pins parts as a tester)

It'll lower you between 2 - 3 inches. I can't remember the exact drop.

Nice one. 2-3 inches would bring the trailing arms back somwhere near horizintal, think I remember where you are. see you tomorrow.
Cheers.
Sinclair.

Pretty sure you get 3 1/2" drop with the spindles, just watch that you don't go too low as you'll also end up with more suspension travel due to the softer ride, but its well worth the effort.

Thanks 15.
Jim. I've looked at the bus station "dropped spindles" and they look like the flipped ones you showed me. ie upper trailing arm mounted above the forged spindle carrier. what do you think, is it the same?


Sinclair

Yep. The Bus Station sell Franklins VW Werks kits who are based in the US.

Cheers Jim.
time to get the spanners out and dust off the press!!