Aircooled VW South Africa

Calling all those with dropped front suspensions on their bugs.

I posted somewhile back in advice about a leak on my petrol tank. Tonight I found out why.

With the lowered suspension the steering damper arm was rubbing against the bottom of the petrol tank. This caused a 1mm hole in the tank.

My solution besides replacing the tank, was to remove the steering damper. I did this cos the buggy never had a damper for the first 20 years of its life.

What the solution is for you guys where the damper is a must will have to be thought about some more.

PS. Thanks Tony for bringing in the washers I asked for but as you see from the above they are not needed.

That is why dropped spindles are essential and will be my first step in a front drop. Then, if needed, get adjusters fitted. I just want to drop the front to make the giant gap equal to the rear.

Mince read my post again.

The hole in the tank was due to me dropping the front suspension.

Read mine again. I basically said that dropped spindles are essential because it results in limited adjustment of the beam itself. Thereby, possibly preventing that problem from occurring.

Do you have dropped spindles or just the adjusters on the beam?

Am I wrong in saying that or do the dropped spindles also 'raise' the mounting point for the track rods and damper?

Interesting question. The drop spindles allows a drop without interfering with the suspension travel etc. However the wheels, brakes steering arms move together and closer to the bodywork, and the fuel tank.

HR, you did have a very aggressive and cool stance on your bug though.

Mince, I have Avis adjusters on mine. Lets here from the guys with dropped spindles.

Thumper. My stance will stay the same as the steering damper made absolutely no difference to the drivability of my buggy.

If you don't need it... chuck it!

I suppose the buggy should be quicker now, shedding weight like that.