Making Progress but what now?

[wiggy_6210]

Ok so I'm really excited I'm makin progress with the beetle. I will post some more pics soon, but here is the deal. I finally got my new floor pans all welded up and they are good to go:party: Now I have the front suspension all tore out and am getting ready for a complete overhaul of front bakes and suspensions. The car is a '73 super beetle. and this is what I know so far. I want to do a disc brake conversion, I will also be replacing all bushings, shocks, tie rod ends and the ball joints. I will be buying parts within the next couple of weeks. So here is where you guys come in....... I am looking for hints, tips, pointers, and advice of anykind. What are some absolute must dos while I am in there, and what should I stay away from. What brands are better than others, and which ones just plain suck. Also.... should I lower the front end or leave stock. I'm thinking I am gonna go with a slight drop but i'm not set on that. So just tell me what you can and I'll let you guys know what I end up going with. I know I can count on you guys so thanks in advance.:help::argue:

[Blown luv]

I just learned this the hard way.Before disassembly mark the ball joint location.There are notches on the side that lines up with a mark on the arm.On the upper you have a ball that fits into the spindle.Its for camber adjustmenet.You might want to mark it also,theres a notch on it to. If your going to lower it and add disc brakes,buy a complete kit so all the parts are designed to work together.

[gixxer711]

the best advice i can give, since i am not familiar with all the brands any more is buy german parts when you can. as whether to drop it, you are asking the wrong guy, i think everything should be dropped! supers have the best ride out of all the dropped air cooled cars. you will have to get adjustable struts for that. most of all have fun rebuilding your toy. the better job you do now, the longer you get to enjoy her once on the road!!!

[wiggy_6210]

A couple of brands that I see around are EMPI and KYB when it comes to suspensions. I dont really have any experience with either. One lesson I have learned in life is that you get what you pay for. (if its cheaply priced its prolly cheaply built) but I also know that just because something cost more doesn't necessarily mean its that much better. And as far as I'm concerned brakes and suspension are rather important if you plan on stopping and having control of your ride. JC whitney does have a set of EMPI lowering struts and cartridges that seem resonable. I'm guessing that I will have to also get different springs if I do this? Also JC whitney has two different sets of suspension bushings that looks like it has pretty much all of the suspension bushings. One is made by bugpack, and the other by Dee Enginering. I don't have any experince with these brands either. Both seem resonably priced and seem to have what I'm looking for. Thats about where I'm at right now as far as suspension goes. Oh yeah one more question If I lower the car will I have to use a different sway bar or will the old one work. They don't cost that much but my old one is fine it just needs the bushings replaced. Any comments suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated, THANKS AGAIN!!!!!

[gixxer711]

generally they use the same spring. it is normally the strut assembly that is lowered from what i remember. i forget what the main brand used to be, i will check on it.

[wiggy_6210]

yeah from what ive been able to tell the strut is lowered, and they do have kits that are the strut and cartridge, i just didnt know if I could use the same springs or not. Also they do have a drop spindle. The lowering struts with cartridge say something like 2-4 inches drop. The the drop spindles say like 2.5 inches. I'm thinking that I will use the spindles that are on there if I can. they are still in good shape. And I belive that the disc brake conversion from JC Whitney will work with the stock spindles. And I would think if it is just the strut that is lowered then I could use the stock stabalizer bar????? I think If that will work then that is what I'm gonna do. I don't really have much experience with lowering things, but I would think that anything more than what I would get out of just putting on lowering struts is really low, and probably lower than I want to go. I mean I want it lowered a little but I dont want the thing slammed, ya know? Anyway thanks for the help and any additional info.:yo::happy::smokin:

[gixxer711]

i have not seen drop spindles for supers, but if those are available, that is by far the best option. the only thing i had ever seen is the adjustable strut, which the brand i was trying to remember is topline. there is a big topic about super lowering here (http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=143097&start=0). should be some good info there.

[wiggy_6210]

very usefull info. thanks i will let u know what i end up going with