VW Beetle Drop Spindles!

A quick overview of the process of installing drop spindles on a Volkswagen Beetle. 1969 VW beetle with ball joint/disc brake beam.
2 1/2 inch drop spindles.

[@quontumleeep9430]

installed these spindles on my 69 beetle , you have to remember to check the condition of the torsion bar the drop spindles increase the track slightly as well, mine with standard 165 80 15 tyres rubbed like a bastard , had to remove the drop spindles in the end as with even just a driver or passenger the car was undrivable. Looking at smaller tyres

[@nickpoole1538]

Great video. Thanks for uploading. I'm going to do the same to my bug soon. Do you know what the torque settings are for the ball joiints etc? Cheers!

[@tonybland8684]

great vid only one that talks about the camber. just could have shown a little more and the adj if you need to do so.

[@BarrySimmons-y4h]

I like your video Mate. I've got a69 bug the same colour and like what you did to yours. Where is the best place to buy the dropped spindles ? I'm in NSW Australia. Cheers Mate.

[@mrslugish3423]

Thanks for watching. I think I bought mine from just kampers Australia.

[@takitaki568]

Hey, cool video.

[@mrslugish3423]

Thanks, I am glad that you liked it!

[@zachcullen776]

Hey mate where did you get the drop spindles from. Please a link would be amazing

[@BH-ut7mr]

Great informative videos. How or what did you install to lower the rear? Thanks

[@mrslugish3423]

Hi BH, The rear is not lowered. Just sagging a bit from old age.The usual way to lower the rear though, is to install adjustable spring plates or readjust the torsion bars. Thanks for watching!

[@BH-ut7mr]

Mr Slugish thank you so much for replying. How much are those spindles. I'm seeing different price ranges on the internet. My 1967 is a 5 lug. Would the drop process be the same as yours? Thanks again in advance!! :)

[@mrslugish3423]

Hi B H, to be honest i bought the spindles so long ago that i cant remember how much they cost. My '69 bug has a balljoint front end, so if your bug is also ball joint the process will be similar. If however, your bug has an earlier king and link pin front end (sounds like it does), the process will be slightly different. Search thesamba.com for ideas. Good luck with it.

[@josephheston9238]

Or just flip the diagonal arms (if it's I.R.S.). Just remember to cut off the shock mounts and snubber mounts and reweld them onto the opposite arms. It would give you a 1" drop.

[@jcarri78]

Very nice video thanks

[@michaelknight2897]

I have a 68. I am doing on off -body restore. While I am not doing a 50k restore, I am also not broke. Do you think its work getting the adjustable beam, or narrowed adjustable beam while I have it apart? I like my 190/60R15 tires, but I would have to drop those down to do the spindles and lower it 2.5. I think with the narrowed beam, I could keep my tire size

[@mrslugish3423]

Hi, if you want to go low, an adjustable beam with drop spindles would give you quite a drop. A narrowed beam will help tuck the tires in the guards. Narrowed beams come in different widths also. A 2 inch narrowed and adjustable beam with drop spindles isn't too radical. It depends on the look you are after, and how low you want to go.

[@tatecarter3982]

Hey! I like the video but I was wondering do you need shortened shocks for the drop spindles to work???

[@mrslugish3423]

No, shock length stays the same. The only difference is the spindle sits higher, which doesn't change shock length. Thanks for watching!

[@tatecarter3982]

+Mr Slugish Ohhh ok! Thank you!

[@alexandremartingale3760]

So you just have to replace that part to lower the front part of the beetle ??

[@mrslugish3423]

Yes. It lowers the front 2 1/2 inches.

[@alfonsotorres203]

So you don't need the dust covers right??

[@mrslugish3423]

The drop spindles that i used had no holes to screw the dust covers on.

[@aaronharris8245]

Legend

[@smelsfishy]

Looking to do the same to mine, do you rub with the 165/80R15 tires?

[@mrslugish3423]

No rubbing on my car. Thanks for watching!

[@daryncalton8765]

👍

[@tatecarter3982]

What size are your tires?

[@mrslugish3423]

Hey Tate, My tires are 165/80 R15

[@250bill]

I just put the empi 2 1/2" drop spindles on my 70 today. My 165 R15's are rubbing.. I am looking for a tire adjustment maybe to a 145?

[@helmboy74]

I see you didn't use a jack stand to hold up the car.That is a nono.

[@mrslugish3423]

Hey, thanks for the comment. I had a jack stand as well as the car jack under the frame of the car and then moved it under the front beam. It does pay to be careful though. Have a great day!

[@250bill]

Such critics....you are so nice.

[@cliveturner4980]

drop spindles look cool but all the rest of the front end is old and crusty ,what a waste of time and effort !!!!

[@milmil6594]

if your talking about the under carriage then it could use a bit of upgrading like most cars do..As far as outward appearance we here in the States welcome a sometimes crusty edge to a car..Call it patina if you will with a little rust or even a few dents..it just goes to remind us what a cars life ( so to speak ) went through and how it stood to preservation..This car however looks pretty sweet as far as outward appearance in my opinion..Not sure what your seeing as crusty..It actually looks above average for most cars on this under carriage from what i see here..Worth ever bit of effort ..price a VW in the States in this condition and your talking serious money..To each his own and i would love to own this gem in any condition..Your talking a ticking gold mine as far as collectors are concerned..If you ever have one of these for sale you might want to reconsider what you think as a waste of time and effort because you will lose your shorts in selling it..

[@cliveturner4980]

@@milmil6594 i was talking about ball joints/brake discs etc patina is good on all cars !!!!! of age