Wishbone suspension bolt on kit

[Shadowbug]

I have to say, when I first read your idea of upgrading the front suspension I was intrigued but not interested, but I think I may just consider this swap over the next winter.

I currently have a IRS Balljoint pan, and may even upgrade the rear suspension as well If I can get it all to fit under the stock fenders ( I'm not opposed to cutting the body, Though I'd rather not)
and I'd even like to use the stock spindles


Volkdent
what is the rear suspension pictured on your site out of?

[volkdent]

I'm halting on the 928 spindle, as it is causing me a little extra stress right now, but I'll come back to it later. I'm working with the stock BJ spindle right now, and maybe a lowered CB one later.

The rear end you are asking about is a 996 Turbo I believe.

Jason

[Shadowbug]

I may just fab up some equal length A arms using my balljoint spindles, just to see how feasible it is

I've been considering pulling my pan off again and doing a bunch of work to it, but I may just grab another pan (I have a buddy with a VW wrecking yard, I can get a pan for nothing)

make all my mods to it and if it doesn't work out, well I still have my other pan.

[volkdent]

I finally recieved the Karmann Ghia front spindles with rotors drilled for Porsche. This should be an easier starting point. My suspension mentor, Bob Frostick-Stevenson, is back home too, so progress will hopefully continue now. I guess this is why my VW had been my hobby since I was 15! I'm 31 now!

Jason

[Daggis]

How is this coming along?

[volkdent]

Well, there came a certain someone in my life and she's a little more fun than ball joints! Speaking of which though, I finally just found the ones that will work. They are are from a Ford Granada and fit the KG spindle well. So no it's just a matter of taking the time to get all the measurements again then send the data off to Bob.

Jason

[Shadowbug]

hmmm ford granada

been mulling it over, I've decided that the best way to develop a suspension is to just build one, or a couple.

I have access to conduit for cheap so I'm going to build a scale suspension and see how the geometry plays out. if I come up with a setup that I like, I'll go to full size, tack it all together and have a structural welder do the finish welding.

[Ross Morrison]

Hey shadowbug, don't use equal length arms as you wont get much camber change in roll.
If you shorten the top arm it will work better.

[Shadowbug]

The idea is to use unequal length a arms, long as posstible on the bottom.

I'm looking into doing an AWD system so I'll need to use spindles from a front wheel drive vehicle (have been thinking VW golf)

[miller]

Hey what are you gonna use for the AWD system? Are you gonna use a subaru setup? if not what system/

[Shadowbug]

decided that it didn't make sence to build an entirely new chassis when the one I had was more than fine.

I've decided that I'm going to scratch build an entire car (what I've been thinking of doing for quite a while)

Using VW/Audi components

However I'm going to follow the example of one builder out there and build my front suspension so it cal be unbolted and pulled off in a single piece. Should I be happy with the setup I'll build a second one for the beetle. (was planning on staying within beetle dimentions anyway)

[Ephry73]

Just came upon this thread. What is the status of the conversion? Would be very interesting to see how the fit would be on a Ghia. Any news? will be even more interesting if one could use aftermarket spindles as well.




E

[volkdent]

Originally Posted by Ephry73

Just came upon this thread. What is the status of the conversion? Would be very interesting to see how the fit would be on a Ghia. Any news? will be even more interesting if one could use aftermarket spindles as well.
E

Because of the shifter shaft tunnel, it is necessary to have a spindle with steering arms that are high. The stock spindles have that, and with all the modifications in brakes you read about in these forums, its really not that bad an option to stick with.

As far as my progress is concerned, its slow as usual, but still making progress. Bob is working on calculations right now, though the measurments I feed him are suspect! Currently the setup I'm building uses stock KG spindles with Porsche drilled rotors, Ford Granada tie rod ends as the bottom ball joint, Volvo P1800 lower balljoints in the upper position, non-powered Golf II steering rack, Porsche 993 Cup II wheels. I've just purchased a wrecked Golf II that still runs for $100 for the parts that I'll use for the rear end. (See Audi S3 midmounted thread started by Bobtail)

Jason

[Ephry73]

very cool Jason! sure would love to see the pictures of the progress.



E

[miller]

Have you gotten the a arms leangths settled yet? Are you gonna set it up with long rear arms (as long as possible) that are parellel to the ground. And upper arms that control camber changes? Gonna design in any ackerman steering? Any design updates or ideas would bo good to hear. Im kinda in the process of figuring out a double a-arm suspension so its nice to talk about design and whatnot with somebody that has more experience in the issue.