Anyone put stock 356 aluminum drums on stock VW ball joint spindles ?

I know it has been done, but some custom spacers/bushings may need to be fabricated depending on what year spindle vs. what year drums and bearings.

Measure what you have and compare.

I knew a guy with a Beck Spyder that had 356b drums on it. I'm not in touch with him any more.

Rears are WAY easier, I've done that, the backing plates bolt right up.

thanks for your reply  , 

it would be nice to hear from someone that has already done it , not re-invent the "Wheel"

but yes when it comes down to it we have access to a lathe , mill etc

cheers

The spacing between the inner and outer bearings is different- the VW link/king pin spindle is 15 mm longer between the 2 and I believe the balljoint spindle is the same as the k/l piece, so I'd be interested in seeing what you guys come up with.  Swapping the whole assembly from the spindle out is possible on a k/l beam, but I don't think I've ever seen someone adapt a Porsche drum (and brakes) to a VW spindle.

As Danny said, the rear is a straight swap- it was a fairly common way of upgrading rear braking on Cal Look bugs in the '70's and '80's.

I know for a fact that the guy had a ball joint beam Beck Spyder(beam welded in place) and got 356b brakes on it.

It required some spacers and/or bearing adapters. But I don't know what the measurements are at all, nor do I know if the spindle was for VW disc or drum(though I'm assuming it was a drum, as that would make the most sense).

By Al's picture, it looks like you need a 15mm spacer(I'd use an early VW king pin spindle spacer) and the same thickness spacers under the backing plate and longer bolts. Seems really straightforward.