James is right, the ball joints can be a bear to remove from the knuckles; I used the weight of the car and a jackstand to "pop" the BJ on each side but since it's been about 5 years I can't remember if that was top or bottom. I'm starting to suffer from CRS :-) Anyway, I did it all just myself with no help, so you should be able to. As to the other BJ, I think I used the BFH on the side of the knuckle and the BJ popped on that one too. I was probably lucky. Court
Courtney ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sharkeys Garage" <[email protected]> To: "'Air-Cooled Volkswagen Discussion List'" <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, September 26, 2009 12:05 PM Subject: Re: [vintagvw] Front disk brakes for '70 beetle If you consider the bolting on of front discs from a Ghia as part of a "bone stock restoration", then that's the route I'd take. If you choose to go with an aftermarket kit, though, you might want to enquire about what brand of parts currently make up their kits (because they have been known to change over time). The one advantage kits have is that all the parts are new, not to mention -- CLEAN. Be prepared to spend a few hours cleaning if you grab your parts from an auto wrecker, and you will need new brake hoses as well (best to tell your VWFLAPS what you plan to do so that they have the right ends and are the correct length). The upgrade is by far the best bang for your buck as far as safety improvements go, right after upgrading our cars' single circuit masters to duals. It's usually one of those "safety above OEM" things that other car fanatics won't criticize you for if your car is a daily driver and didn't have front discs to begin with -- it's simply that big of an improvement. You won't need to weld anything, but having an enclosed area with good lighting to work in is certainly a plus. I think the hardest part of the job will involve breaking the ball joints free of the old knuckles, but other than that, it's a full day job (minus lunch, and maybe a nap). And just think: your new front brakes will ALWAYS be in adjustment. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bert Knupp Sent: September-26-09 8:13 AM To: 'Air-Cooled Volkswagen Discussion List' Subject: [vintagvw] Front disk brakes for '70 beetle Volks, I have a 1970 USA beetle, bone stock, restored, but generally rebuilt to Germany specs. I'm aware that the European-spec Type 1 1500s had disk brakes in front. I've seen conversion kits advertised here and there, and I've heard that the Karmann-Ghia disks can be adapted to beetles. But I want to know what I'm getting into. In your opinion (anybody with the experience), what's the best available route to converting my bug to the Euro front disk brakes, or a good approximation thereof? I'm fairly handy with a wrench, have put on new brakes, etc., but don't have welding capability nor an indoor shop. Who makes/sells the best conversion kit? What pitfalls should I avoid? Bert Knupp in Music City USA |__n__ (_____)º (Ô\_|_/Ô) ü ° ° ü Polizeikäfer '70 __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4459 (20090926) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com _______________________________________________ vintagvw site list [email protected] http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4459 (20090926) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4460 (20090926) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com _______________________________________________ vintagvw site list [email protected] http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw _______________________________________________ vintagvw site list [email protected] http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw
