How can one tell visually if they have a short axle or a long axle on a swing axle?
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How can one tell visually if they have a short axle or a long axle on a swing axle?
Warren, a shortened swing axle will generally be used on a car that has wider than stock wheels, or wheels that need more clearance under the fenderwells.
I don't have any comparison photos, since my car used to be IRS, but modifications to look for include a three-inch shorter than stock axle tube on each side and torsion caps that look absurdly long for the space provided. When the ends of the axle tubes come in that three inches, the torsion tube has to be cut also and the rods get replaced with shorter ones (in an IRS-to-swing conversion). The spring blades can then move in the same distance.
In these pictures, you can clearly see the weld on the torsion tube itself, along with the spring blades and the axle tube. If I was in front of the car, I'd measure the length for you. The car's at home today and I'm in Virginia.
Hope this helps.
I don't have any comparison photos, since my car used to be IRS, but modifications to look for include a three-inch shorter than stock axle tube on each side and torsion caps that look absurdly long for the space provided. When the ends of the axle tubes come in that three inches, the torsion tube has to be cut also and the rods get replaced with shorter ones (in an IRS-to-swing conversion). The spring blades can then move in the same distance.
In these pictures, you can clearly see the weld on the torsion tube itself, along with the spring blades and the axle tube. If I was in front of the car, I'd measure the length for you. The car's at home today and I'm in Virginia.
Hope this helps.
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I assume you mean production parts....It is difficult ,if not impossible to tell without pulling a wheel and drum....
If you can find a copy of HOT VWs July 2005 mag, they have an article with photos and discriptions of the three (3) types of axles used.
The vast majority are short types with short splines. The 1967s had long axles with short splines, and the 1968s had long axles with long splines.
All the axle tubes are inter changeable, but the end housings (bearings) are different for each of the three.....
Sorry I can't be of more help....
If you can find a copy of HOT VWs July 2005 mag, they have an article with photos and discriptions of the three (3) types of axles used.
The vast majority are short types with short splines. The 1967s had long axles with short splines, and the 1968s had long axles with long splines.
All the axle tubes are inter changeable, but the end housings (bearings) are different for each of the three.....
Sorry I can't be of more help....
Hey Warren..
I just went thru that drill with my VS. Because it had 4 lug rear drums, I made the assumption it had long axles. I even bought a set of spacers to take up the extra axle length created by the narrow earlier wide 5 drums. Turns out that VS apparently has the late style outer flanged edge of the drums shaved so they will fit the earlier short axles. That way a VS with VW (4 lug) disks up front can also have 4 lugs in the rear (I guess). Now I'm stuck with the custom shaved drums and a set of custom spacers
Anyway, if Beck is like VS, you might just have to take it apart to find out what you've got.
Good Luck,
Ernie
I just went thru that drill with my VS. Because it had 4 lug rear drums, I made the assumption it had long axles. I even bought a set of spacers to take up the extra axle length created by the narrow earlier wide 5 drums. Turns out that VS apparently has the late style outer flanged edge of the drums shaved so they will fit the earlier short axles. That way a VS with VW (4 lug) disks up front can also have 4 lugs in the rear (I guess). Now I'm stuck with the custom shaved drums and a set of custom spacers
Anyway, if Beck is like VS, you might just have to take it apart to find out what you've got.
Good Luck,
Ernie
Just give Carey Hines a call. I'm sure he can tell you.
you don't have to take anything apart. The obvious difference exists in the lengths of the bearing housings themselves
Warren,
Measuring the bearing housing will certainly tell which you have. Short axles it will be 3.5" (roughly) and long will be 4.5" (roughly).
However, on your car the easiest way to tell is by the rear wheel offset. If they match the fronts, then you have short axles. If the centers seem pushed out an additional 1", then you have long axles.
Measuring the bearing housing will certainly tell which you have. Short axles it will be 3.5" (roughly) and long will be 4.5" (roughly).
However, on your car the easiest way to tell is by the rear wheel offset. If they match the fronts, then you have short axles. If the centers seem pushed out an additional 1", then you have long axles.
Just looked at your photos and it appears like you have short axles. You can verify this with a quick glance at them, but they certainly look that way in the photos.
Carey
Carey
Thanks to all who responded to my question. Carey is good. He can look at a picture and determine if it has short or long axles. I measured the wheel bearing housing: 31/2". I measured the track: same or almost the same as the front. Guess it's got short axles.