how to lower a 55?

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gregory gauthier
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how to lower a 55?

#1 Post by gregory gauthier »

Hello guys I need your help on this.
How can I lower the front of my 55 coupe?
2 inches would be great.
Thanks

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Barry Brisco
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Re: how to lower a 55?

#2 Post by Barry Brisco »

Hi Greg,

There was a discussion of this a few weeks ago that I think might be of interest to you, see "notching the front beam" at http://356registry.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20390

Barry
gregory gauthier wrote:Hello guys I need your help on this.
How can I lower the front of my 55 coupe?
2 inches would be great.
Thanks

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gregory gauthier
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Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:09 am
Location: France

#3 Post by gregory gauthier »

Thanks Barry I'll have a look on this thread.

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Mike Klapac
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#4 Post by Mike Klapac »

You can install VW dropped spindles. Less impact on the beam.

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Dirk Heinrich
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#5 Post by Dirk Heinrich »

maybe you want to start here:
http://356registry.com/forum/viewtopic. ... t=lowering

do a search "lowering" in the TALK list and you'll find lots to learn.

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Vic Skirmants
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#6 Post by Vic Skirmants »

Barry, his 1955 has the VW setup of the center anchors being in front, with no adjustment.
However, if he notched the tubes DOWNWARD, that would lower the car. The same ratio of amount notched-to-inches lowered would be correct.

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gregory gauthier
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#7 Post by gregory gauthier »

Vic is right, i don't have adjustments on my 55. I'll see if i can install vw modified spindles

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Dirk Heinrich
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#8 Post by Dirk Heinrich »

The spindles will give you a different off-set in the front: the wheels will come out more. You have to decide if you like that look.

Check out this bug (see I wouldn't do something like this to a 356 ;) ) I lowered with 2 1/2" drop spindles a few years ago ... if you compare front and rear, you'll see there is something odd about the stance of the front wheels in the fenders. The picture from the front shows it the best:


Image

Image

Guest

how to lower a 55?

#9 Post by Guest »

Two inches is a ton of adjustment. First thing to do is look to see if you have
an adjustment parts in the center of the tube. The usual range is about 1 inch.


Alan

gregory gauthier wrote:
Hello guys I need your help on this.
How can I lower the front of my 55 coupe?
2 inches would be great.
Thanks





Post generated using Mail2Forum via email.

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Mike Klapac
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#10 Post by Mike Klapac »

Dirk Heinrich wrote:The spindles will give you a different off-set in the front: the wheels will come out more. You have to decide if you like that look.

Check out this bug (see I wouldn't do something like this to a 356 ;) ) I lowered with 2 1/2" drop spindles a few years ago ... if you compare front and rear, you'll see there is something odd about the stance of the front wheels in the fenders. The picture from the front shows it the best:


Image

Image
Could you balance out the back by installing spacers? Not sure how much room is back there as my car is a long way from being on four wheels. Seems like a slightly wider track would be beneficial if the you could still steer w/o hitting the wheel wells.

Garry Haussler
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how to lower a 55

#11 Post by Garry Haussler »

you might try removing the the leaf springs (torsion bars) and install some 356A springs. this worked great for my 53. you could change one or two depending on how low you want. i think your car should still have the thick five leaf spring and the later cars have six leaf spring also they are sliced so you have 12 little pieces welded at each end . jim b. would have the leaf springs. its something to think about.

garry
 

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Vic Skirmants
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#12 Post by Vic Skirmants »

The "divots" in the center are on the wrong side. You could grind new divots.
Remember, the cornering loads are resisted strictly by the center anchors!

Garry Haussler
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how to lower a 55

#13 Post by Garry Haussler »

opps i forgot to say drill or grind a very small dimple on the other side of the spring sorry. now will it work vic?


garry
 

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55 coupe

#14 Post by Guest »

hey greg

how is the pre a '55 doing. i really miss my old coupe. :(
please send me some pics.
thank you

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Vic Skirmants
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#15 Post by Vic Skirmants »

Garry,
Yep, now it will work. Have to do that on the Sway-Away bars when installing them in a 356.

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