Independent front suspension

left topic off of earlier entry

Left subject matter off of this entry?

Bob, consider your first entry dead as there is no way to read it with no subject to click on. You need to repost here.

Thanks guys,

got LUFTIG back yesterday with double a arm, coil over, R & P, IFS. Manufacture and installation from Eyeball Engineering. Steering considerably more positive. All bumps and bad pavement not as pronounced. Handling in general more like a modern sports car. Obviously, everyone's ideas are different. All in, for me, a vast improvement. Bruce, the owner, went out of his way to improve significantly on the original build. Specifically, wiring throughout entire car. Brakes, etc. Pictures too follow. Will try to answer any questions.

Bob

Bob, did you get the sway bar too?

Yes, got the sway bar. 3/4 inch. Will be installed tomorrow. Torque bar ( not included) should be installed in a month or so. If you like, check under shops on soc website. Fabricates all pieces
himself.

Bob

Eyeball has the mid mount bracket to tie down the transmission instead of using transmission strap. Nice product and it reduces the transmission noise to the body

thanks for the reminder, Eddy. Also installed midmount which helps to limit shudder when starting off in 1st and 2nd.

I like the Eyeball Engineering unit because it can be mounted while the body is still on the pan.

Installation of IFS including midmount, swaybar and some rewiring now complete. Powder coating of swaybar delayed final final. Serious improvement in ride and handling. I'm really enjoying the little gray speedster. Weather permitting, trekking up blossom trail tomorrow morning. Troy, Dave and any others, we're leaving at 9am from Simonian fruit stand (Clovis and Jensen) Sounds like fun. Hope to see you.

Bob and Luftig

Can't make it Bob. I have a painter (house) coming over. Have fun.
Troy

Checked out their website and WOW ! ! ! Looks terrific and not a bad price either. Have to find out if it would mount to an aftermarket tube frame.

The spindles aren't included according to their write-up, are stock-style VW spindles used?

How do you think it compares to the Mendeola suspension kits? There's a difference in price, wondering if there's a difference in quality and/or ride?

I would realistically opt for the Eye Ball kit if I had just a bit more info?

Thanks !

TC

Hi TC

Yes, stock vw spindles are used on my front end. There was some prior discussion on this site re sturdiness, etc. I had much conversation with Bruce at Eyeball. 1/4 inch plate steele and bolts that have never failed (shear) are sufficient for me. Many of these are in use here in the US and a couple in Europe. In all candor though, I have never seen the Mendiola product. But I am always suspicious of people making assessments when a side by side comparison is not available by anyone not connected to either product. I do know this TC: you won't find anyone more thorough or honest about his products than Bruce at Eyeball. Happy to try to answer anymore questions. Almost forgot,I have no knowledge of application on a tube frame.

Bob

So Bob, where's the pictures?
I'm interested in this suspension kit. I'm happy with my rear suspension. My roll bar is mounted to the rear frame, I installed a kafer bar, and adding Koni shocks have really tightened up the back suspension, but I'm not all that happy with the front. Taking some of the spring bars out and adding front Konis has helped, but the front end still feels disconnected when driving in a spirited manner. For me, Eyeball is the only choice, since Mendeola's kit can't be installed on a speedster with the body in place, and Red9's kit doesn't come with a sway bar option (as far as I know).
I really enjoyed watching the Eyeball video on installing their front suspension. Entertaining and informative.

Ron, Try to get some all inclusive photos soon.

Photos at last.

Luftig in all her greyness!

One more.

Nicely done! I think I'm in love.

WOW.... You certainly nailed that one, Bob.

Looks good, Bob. I better start saving up my pennies.

Thanks.

Do any of you have any thoughts as to the advisability of installing a torque bar? Not mechanical here at all. Thanks again, Bob

Bob -your suspension mods are sweet! Nice!

What's a torque bar?

Also called a kafer bar.

I've got one in my IM. I like it.

contention seems to lie in how you drive your car. Those pushing hard all the time won't be without a kafer bar(torque). Once every couple of weeks I get up in the foothills step on it a bit. I'm told the KAFER BAR really tightens up the rear end. Eliminates shudder starting in 1st gear and rolling starts in 2d. Will probably move forward with it.

Bob

Here's a link for transmission/frame-horns bracing pix:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=434846&highlight=kafer+bar

Bob,
Beautiful car! I don't think I've ever seen a bra cut the way yours is. Who's is it or did you have it made?

Thanks, Rich

re: the Kafer bar Samba picture. Note that each bar has it's own adjustable heim joint link to it's mounting point. There is another website link somewhere out there, about racing VWs (in Australia I think) that intimately describes how EACH link has to be very carefully pre-loaded - some links in tension, some links in compression - to rather dramaticaly affect the vehicles race course handling. It involves many laps of track testing under repeatable conditions. And a different set-up for a different style of track.

It is definitely NOT just a bolt-in operation!

Hi Scott,
The kafer bar from eyeball is configured very similar the one you identified on samba.


Rich,
Thanks. Wardlow custom bras in Los Angeles makes them for speedsters. They send the blank. You mark for the width, holes for bumper supports, driving lights, etc. The daughter of the original Mom and Dad who started the business now runs it. Had to send it back and forth a couple of times. Seems interested in doing it right.Let me know if I can help.

Bob

Dave,
Bruce at eyeball maintains that the harder you push (race) the more adjusting is necessary. Even at my down at my level some heim adjusting is advisable.Not on the car yet, so no experience.Should be able to speak a bit more informatively in a few weeks.

Bob

I absolutely agree on the kudos given to the Wardlow folks. They sure treated me right.

Wardlow is a good company. The trouble is, I never use the damn thing. At first I bought it to use on longer trips, but the reality is that its around town that you pick up the majority of the rock chips and I don't want it on the car all the time.
I know, I know, then get the 3M coating, but I just prefer to deal with the chips.
Troy