Is there an advantage to front steering? I read in one of the suspension design books that front steer has some advantage when hitting a bump during cornering. It causes understeer for a split second rather than oversteer and makes the corner seem more comfortable. I could make the steering rack I have work as a front steer rack, but I had planned on rear steer. I had already thought about switching the steering arms, but there will be an increase in length if the same bolt holes are used, slowing down the turning rate, I presume. I will have new front steer arms built to have the correct length IF front steer is better, because it will involve getting a new front steer rack or making the other work backwards. If not, I think I'll stick with new rear steer arms moving the joint up high. Any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated, as you have much more experience in this area than I.

Jason

Jason,
I was just throwing ideas around.
I have never read about those benefits of front steer.
Personally, I like the idea of the rack being behind any uprights, so as to offer some kind of protection in a smallish shunt. At least you could drive it home!
I would be interested to see the new arms you get made.

Cheers,Ross.

Update
 

www.geocities.com/volkdent/

Click on Conversion

Jason

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?

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

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.

Back At It
 

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

How is this coming along?

It
 

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

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.

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.

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)

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

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)

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.




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