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Old March 24th 2003, 19:43
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MattKab MattKab is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: NW UK
Posts: 371
Thumbs up Amen brother!

Quote:
Originally posted by Superman
Get the 17mm ball joint from Kerscher!!! The homemade shim, which should be 2mm, is VERY dangerous and if it fails the control arm will come off the spindle and you will loose the ability to steer the car. The strut tower will be all but torn off the car, the wheel will be forced into the fender and body causing damage. All of this is before the car evently crashes into something because you can't steer it. Is your car and more importantly your life worth about $75??? You guys need to remember that all these cutting and welding modifications to the suspension can be a dangerous situation.
I went on a small campaign last summer targeting those who describe how to cowboy such a critical component interface. I detailed the problem last year and on the old GL site. Some waffling about pinch bolt groove radius. can that be dug up? I spread the word about the quality of fitment these ball-joints have. Mine each took 8500 kg force to push in. that'll do nicely.

I heard the source of the failed dickbush tradgedy was volksworld, I don't know I don't read it. If it's in there please confirm.

I get mail asking about my 4 wheel 4pot from all over the world. This is where I send 'em! If they don't come from here

For my convenience, I'll cut/paste and add a bit of sent mail:

At the front I used the stub-axles, 298mm vented discs and 4pot Brembos from
a 1987 model 944Turbo. I had to fit anti-bumpsteer bushes to the steering
arms to invert the outer track-rod ends. You'll need to change your 15mm
ball-joints for 17mm ones from Kerscher in Germany. I also used Kerscher
adjustable struts with 80mm Eibach springs and Koni adjustable inserts. The
stub-axles also needed the strut mounting holes welding up and re-drilling
5mm closer together, keeping equal spacing between the holes and the edge of
the mounting lugs on the forgings. Also the strut mounting tab of the stub-axle
needed 3mm(1.5mm each side) shimming inside the strut clamp. New from VW strut mounting bolt(top)/camber adjusting eccentric washer strut bolt(lower) and ball joint pinch bolt from a 80's golf/scirocco/jetta will do nicely. All M10 as opposed to Bug's M8 pinch bolt. I also fitted a
23mm anti-roll bar, again from Kerscher. The quality of their kit is second
to none. TUV approved I believe. You'll need a German friend for www.kerschertuning.de

At the back I'm using the stock Bug trailing arms and a 16mm 944 rear
anti-roll bar. 298mm vented discs, Aluminium back plates, Aluminium calliper mounts,
4pot Brembo's and handbrake set from a 1986 944Turbo, leaving out the 21mm
wheel spacer and fitting the 21mm shorter wheel studs from a 1987 944Turbo.
The callipers are shimmed ~3mm to the centre of the disc. You'll need to make
up some longer brake hard-lines for all 4 callipers, same unions as the Bug.
I also use Goodridge stainless braided flex hoses and DOT4 brake fluid. The
stock master cylinder displaces more than enough fluid to move the 16
pistons, no problem. Front/rear bias is sweet. Don't be told otherwise ;-)
The pedal effort necessary to stop the car requires a hydraulic pressure
barely high enough to operate the brake light switch! So I fitted a
micro-switch to earth to the bulk-head with a small 16amp relay at the brake light connector by the brake fluid delivery pipes. A M8 bolt in a 30mm piece of fuel hose is
strapped to the m/c push rod. The bolt head is adjusted to make contact with
the switch at a selected pedal position and is wired in parallel with the
original. Devastating braking if you want, Check your mirror!!!!


:coffee:



Rack and pinion, the track-rods need work as does the rack if you're running biggerrrrrrrrims

I'm working on adjustable steering limit Bug rack conversion. I'm currently using 2 shims in the rack, 22 and 28mm I recall.



Matt

Last edited by MattKab; March 24th 2003 at 20:07.
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