SWB 1968 raise spindle

[stcan]

Hi,

Anyone experienced with raising spindle on the SWB car?

Looks like I can machine out spacer to go between the strut and ball join to raise the spindle

I am thinking of doing 17mm stainless steel spacer. And using longer bolt.

For the bump steer correction, 10mm rack spacer are the only option. It doesn't look like anyone make any bump steer kit that works for SWB car.

Anyone had done this?

[nickelplated5s]

No and BillV will disagree. What rims, brakes and what are you trying to accomplish? You should really go search Early911S and 912BBS to boot. Lots of info there and here, it will take time. Try ChrisP in the search bar or mine.

[phunt]

A spacer where you are talking about would have the strut compressed farther when at ride height. So you would loose travel. And why? I mean I get wanting raised spindles. I have them on my 66 SWB car. I mean why use the stock struts? If you switch to later struts you would get the advantage of using later brake calipers. Lots of options there. I know if you make the part it would save money. But to what advantage?

[stownsen914]

It's been done. I thought I remembered that Walt Fricke did something like this on his 911 racecar. See the thread below. Looks like he put a spacer as you suggest, and then shortened the strut to avoid the issue of limiting suspension travel. This may have involved a shorter shock insert, not sure.

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/352708-poor-mans-935-front-suspension.html

[stcan]

Originally Posted by nickelplated5s

No and BillV will disagree. What rims, brakes and what are you trying to accomplish? You should really go search Early911S and 912BBS to boot. Lots of info there and here, it will take time. Try ChrisP in the search bar or mine.

15" 5.5 wheel
Avon CR6ZZ 185/70-15
Stock 68S brake

I lowered the car and want to retain the shock travel with the raise spindle.

[stcan]

Originally Posted by phunt

A spacer where you are talking about would have the strut compressed farther when at ride height. So you would loose travel. And why? I mean I get wanting raised spindles. I have them on my 66 SWB car. I mean why use the stock struts? If you switch to later struts you would get the advantage of using later brake calipers. Lots of options there. I know if you make the part it would save money. But to what advantage?

Spacer there should not compressed the shock to reduce travel. You are essentially raising the spindle.
You have the spacer on your 66 SWB?
I am fine with the stock 68S caliper.
I prefer to keep it SWB suspension. I know there are alot more options if update to LWB suspension.
Making the part is not trying to save money. I don't see anything offer for SWB on the market. So this maybe the only option.

[stcan]

Originally Posted by stownsen914

It's been done. I thought I remembered that Walt Fricke did something like this on his 911 racecar. See the thread below. Looks like he put a spacer as you suggest, and then shortened the strut to avoid the issue of limiting suspension travel. This may have involved a shorter shock insert, not sure.

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/352708-poor-mans-935-front-suspension.html

Thanks for the link. I see he uses the spacer there. Doesn't look like he had bump steer correction.

[stcan]

Spoke to Chuck and Elephant racing. He said the LWB bump steer kit will not work with the SWB because the tie rod goes on the top instead of the bottom of the struts. So putting the spacer on the steering rack seems to be the only solution for the bump steer correction on the SWB. Hopefully I can fit a slightly thicker rack spacer than 10mm

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by stcan

Hi,

Anyone experienced with raising spindle on the SWB car?

Looks like I can machine out spacer to go between the strut and ball join to raise the spindle

I am thinking of doing 17mm stainless steel spacer. And using longer bolt.

For the bump steer correction, 10mm rack spacer are the only option. It doesn't look like anyone make any bump steer kit that works for SWB car.

Anyone had done this?

Any spacer between the strut and ball joint only pushes the ball closer to the wheel, reducing the clearance there.

The rack spacers are ~12mm

I'm unfamiliar w/ any differences between the early and late struts, why can't you raise the spindle and add adjustable steering knuckles as on the late struts?

[stcan]

Raising spindle on the LWB with 15" wheel seems to max around 17mm. Wondering if that also the same for the SWB as the ball joint is different.

[stcan]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

Any spacer between the strut and ball joint only pushes the ball closer to the wheel, reducing the clearance there.

The rack spacers are ~12mm

I'm unfamiliar w/ any differences between the early and late struts, why can't you raise the spindle and add adjustable steering knuckles as on the late struts?

Spoke to Chuck and ER, he said the adjustable steering knuckles for the later struts will not work of the SWB as the tie rod ends goes on top instead of bottom and can't correct with adding spacer to lower it

[PeteKz]

On the plus side, if you add a spacer between the strut body and the ball joint/steering arm part, ot will not change your stock bump steer. The relationships of the steering arm, A-arm, and steering rack remain the same.