1967 VW Beetle - Drop Spindles - Disc Brakes - Part 1

There is work to be done, and a deadline for this car to be on the road so Sam gets to work tearing down the front end of our 1967 Sunroof Beetle so he can install a drop spindle disc brake kit. The teardown goes easily enough with some typical issues, like a rusted shock bolt and a tie rod end that didn't want to break free. Unfortunately the original ball joints aren't in good shape, and we didn't have our ball joint press kit in the shop. So the front end work halts temporarily and Sam spends some time cleaning up inside the trunk a bit. The show must go on!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Parts Used -
www.jbugs.com/... - Drop Spindle Disc Brake Kit
www.jbugs.com/... - Left Dust Cap
www.jbugs.com/... - Right Dust Cap
www.jbugs.com/... - Late Model Left Outer Tie Rod End
www.jbugs.com/... - Late Model Right Outer Tie Rod End
-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on our social media accounts!
Instagram - / jbugs_california_pacific
Facebook - / jbugsvwparts
Twitter - / jbugsvwparts
-------------------------------------------------------------
Videos are intended for entertainment purposes. Factory specifications should be followed when performing any task on your vehicle.

[@jeffbayer1287]

Loving this series showing off the items you sell and how to install them. All while putting another classic on the road.

[@Sam_Mebane]

Glad to hear Jeff, I am definitely enjoying the process!

[@timlenz8275]

"I'll read those last" Haha! Love it Sam. Glad to know I'm not the only one who does that.

[@Sam_Mebane]

At this point I don't need instructions for most things on a VW. Heck, I don't even use them on wiring kits nowadays, but then again, I was the one that wrote them for all of our JBP wiring harnesses! When it comes to engine internals, I'll go back to the manual just to make sure I get the torque specs correct.

[@timlenz8275]

Heck, I wont even need to refer to my John Muir book anymore. Your tutorials are way better@@Sam_Mebane That's if I can ever find a decent project car again. They are progressively harder to find out here in SoCal.

[@Kylezirkus1153]

Its looking good Sam!! I cant wait to see it on the road!

[@Sam_Mebane]

Thanks Kyle, she's definitely closer than when we towed her from your yard!

[@jaredf5828]

"I'd say we don't have much shock." I agree with your assessment!

[@Sam_Mebane]

Facts is facts!

[@DroidzandBrix]

Glad to see I’m not the only one who uses a hammer to remove ball joints

[@mrrob516]

Absolutely loving this series, this is the best way to showcase parts!

[@Sam_Mebane]

We're enjoying it too! I have to stop myself from going to far on this project, which is kind of liberating. I normally go all out and completely rebuild, paint and restore everything and on this car I'm just doing the "necessities". Grant it, I have high standard for necessities, but only as for the case of safety and longevity.

[@nmich8238]

I definitely appreciate the use of the hand hammer!! Keep the videos/tutorials coming. I’m following the Ghia series closely.

[@Sam_Mebane]

My favorite tool, hands down!

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

Looks like you might want to add a pickle fork to your ball joint arsenal 😉

[@Sam_Mebane]

I have one, it still requires a hammer and usually destroys the boot, I prefer not using it. Not a big deal if you’re replacing the unit but if you are, another method to get the tie rod free is handy!

[@__MAT__]

More! Ive got 2 67's waiting in line for there turn. This makes me want to roll them to the front of the line.

[@Sam_Mebane]

Ha, we've got two 67s here as well, it's a great year for the Beetle for sure!

[@GT.Bugger]

Something i want to do in the future. I pressed in new ball joints and theyve done zero miles and the rubber covers are already split. Im womdering if its because i got the lowered ball joints, though my car is lowered on a adjustable beam. Id like to get a whole new beam and dropped spindles setup at some point. Look forward to part 2

[@Sam_Mebane]

Some of the aftermarket rubber components leave a lot to be desired. There are always the urethane "boots" which are really just covers but they help keep out the road grime!

[@GT.Bugger]

@Sam_Mebane I can't help but think I might have somehow fitted them incorrectly, causing an unusual angle and strain on them, resulting in the boots splitting.

[@SanDiego_VDubLife]

Prob a good idea to replace inner tie rod ends since you are in there anyways.😊

[@Sam_Mebane]

Yeah, although they weren’t too bad honestly. The ball joints though…they were toast!

[@SanDiego_VDubLife]

@@Sam_Mebane I could see that. Those things were gone. I use a tie rod tool to separate tie rods. Makes job so easy.

[@Sam_Mebane]

@@SanDiego_VDubLife I have one but rarely use it. I find it destroys the boots and still requires the use of the a hammer. I just take the hammer to the source!

[@ericostendorf8397]

Those aren't the recalled harbor freight jack stands, are they?

[@Sam_Mebane]

No, although I think we still have a pair of them!

[@ramonrivera4054]

If you removed the terminal why didn't you use the cut wheel? Then, used the air impact (air hammer). I believe it would be easier.

[@Sam_Mebane]

Not sure what terminal you're referring to but I am not a big fan of air tools either way.

[@Sam_Mebane]

Hey @ryobitoolsusa - how about getting us some tools so I can take my Ryobi tools back home to my garage?

[@alexzamora6414]

Do you need to have narrawed beams when installing drop spindles?

[@Sam_Mebane]

No, not at all. We installed disc brakes and drop spindles on this car and are still using the stock beam.

[@jwald6795]

So where is part 2. ?

[@Sam_Mebane]

Right here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6HEfXewh9aEnZY&lc

[@jamescarroll7359]

Don't think I want Hammer Happy Harvey working on my bug.

[@DownDiecast]

Hammer happy Harvey has probably built nicer cars than you’ll ever own!

[@Sam_Mebane]

Sometimes a hammer is the only way, like it or not.

[@Sam_Mebane]

Here’s Harvey’s last hammered restoration-kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXzafayah9aYjrcsi=kfCNhOuFqElm0Yvr