356B t5 Dropped Spindles

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Paul C Harrison
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356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#1 Post by Paul C Harrison »

I have searched high and low and asked a bunch of body shops and no one is definitive about using VW dropped spindles on a 356b T5 car

can anyone help or point me in the right direction
I want to use dropped spindles to maintain ride and get a 2.5" drop.

I know all about adjusters.

If anyone can help please no "I think so" or there's a wild goose chase threads with more "I think so" replies.

thanks again
Paul.

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#2 Post by Vic Skirmants »

In a word; no. Sorry.

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Martin Benade
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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#3 Post by Martin Benade »

From putting later Porsche drum brake spindles on a VW, I think you can. You would need to enlarge the tapered hole for the tie rod or use VW outer tie rod ends. Also the actual spindle will need the smaller inner wheel bearing from a 1957 or older Porsche. I have seen a 356 with this done.
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Craig Richter
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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#4 Post by Craig Richter »

Another no... I strongly suggest you don't. Yes, you can get them to fit (^), and my friend Mike has such a set up; but lowering the rear enough to match the front height introduces a bunch of bad rear geometry you won't like if you drive much. Get the rear to -1* and even the front height using the adjusters, then get a good alignment. That's the best you can do without major suspension changes (ask Ron LaDow about those).
 

Paul C Harrison
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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#5 Post by Paul C Harrison »

Martin Benade wrote: Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:15 am From putting later Porsche drum brake spindles on a VW, I think you can. You would need to enlarge the tapered hole for the tie rod or use VW outer tie rod ends. Also the actual spindle will need the smaller inner wheel bearing from a 1957 or older Porsche. I have seen a 356 with this done.
Thanks Martin that's totally along the lines of what I had gleaned online, makes it a bit more reassuring before I go buying parts.

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Martin Benade
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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#6 Post by Martin Benade »

I agree that it brings other issues, it’s not necessarily going to drive as good as it will look, but it will bolt on.
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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#7 Post by Craig Richter »

Mike's A car does look trick down in the weeds, but it scrapes on most every driveway and/or bump in the road.
 

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Aki Ruohonen
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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#8 Post by Aki Ruohonen »

Is it possbile? Yes. Is it 'correct' thing to do for 356? Well - it's your car.

I have done it to earlier car - as have several others. In later car you need to replace the inner wheel bearing as well assuming you would use the drum brake version of the dropped spindles. Ride quality is good as there is change to suspension travel and angle of the torsion arms. However dropping 2,5" gets you very close to ground and you need to be aware of that when driving. Too bad 2,5" is the only option for dropped spindle - about half of that would be perfect for 356.

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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#9 Post by Paul C Harrison »

I totally agree with this, a fixed 2.5" leaves me in a dilemma to notch out the beam which i am now leaning toward to keep everything original
after looking at my adjusters they were as low as they could go so the car was riding as high as it could and just winding them out will get me at least an inch lower straight off the bat.
but maybe a 1.5" drop spindle would make more sense for sure.

Aki Ruohonen wrote: Mon Nov 30, 2020 12:02 pm Is it possbile? Yes. Is it 'correct' thing to do for 356? Well - it's your car.

I have done it to earlier car - as have several others. In later car you need to replace the inner wheel bearing as well assuming you would use the drum brake version of the dropped spindles. Ride quality is good as there is change to suspension travel and angle of the torsion arms. However dropping 2,5" gets you very close to ground and you need to be aware of that when driving. Too bad 2,5" is the only option for dropped spindle - about half of that would be perfect for 356.

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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#10 Post by Trevor Gates »

Craig Richter wrote: Tue Nov 24, 2020 6:03 pm Mike's A car does look trick down in the weeds, but it scrapes on most every driveway and/or bump in the road.
Here’s the car Craig’s talking about.
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https://www.instagram.com/trevorcgates/

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Juha Vane
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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#11 Post by Juha Vane »

Here is my B T6 also a little lower, rear wheel wear is not so bad and so far haven't hit anything...
Have Vic's camber compensator.
I think Mike's car front is lower?
Have been warned that the drive shaft "paddle" end can seize, but so far OK. I use Swepco
transmission oil. This drop is achieved with stock parts.
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KTF,

Juha Vane
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'63 356
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Mark Nicholas
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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#12 Post by Mark Nicholas »

great stance on both of those 356! The lower the better in my opinion lol

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Martin Benade
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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#13 Post by Martin Benade »

Juha, is that a heated windshield?
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Juha Vane
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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#14 Post by Juha Vane »

Yes, car was built for racing, but the plan was changed.
Now I'm just driving around aimlessly with my wife.

These and other 356 windshield are available in Finland, from here:

https://kuttilanautolasi.fi/en/
KTF,

Juha Vane
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Paul C Harrison
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Re: 356B t5 Dropped Spindles

#15 Post by Paul C Harrison »

more pics of lowered 356's guys love this !

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