RE: [T3] Axle beam swap Was:Fuel injection preferences and body parts

[Jim Adney <jadney@vwtype3.org>]

On 11 Nov 2004 at 8:21, Roush, Norman wrote:

> You responded earlier to another post saying "If the front axle beam is
> good on the '73, then that is very desirable due to the larger brakes".
> 
> Is a later ('73) T3 axle beam easily transplanted into a '68 T3?  I see
> more later MY T3's at the local recycle yards and I'm thinking a '73
> version might have fewer miles on it.  Hopefully I will not need to use
> this knowledge but it would be good to know just in case.

I believe you can put any type 3 axle beam into any type 3. The only 
differences I've seen are that VW moved the Zerk fittings on the beam, so that 
if you try to put a late axle into a rather early car, you will need to use the 
late beam clamp plates when you do this. This applies to '64s but not to '68s. 
I'm not sure when the changeover occurred, but I'd guess around '65.

I think there are 4 different disk brake front axle assemblies:

First, from '66 to ? with small tie rod ends, small wheel bearing spindles, and 
the small calipers. I would avoid these because of the difficulty in finding 
those tie rod ends.

Second, from ? to mid '68, with large tie rod ends but small wheel bearing 
spindles and the small calipers. These are okay, but not quite as strong as the 
later ones.  

Third, from mid '68 to very late '71, with large tie rod ends, 2 mm larger 
wheel bearing spindles, and the small calipers. These are just fine, and they 
may be easier to find brake pads for.

Forth, last month of '71 to the end of production, with large tie rod ends, 
large wheel bearing spindles, and the late larger calipers. The larger caliper 
does NOT give you any more breaking force, but it should give longer service 
between pad replacements and it MIGHT have less brake fade. These beams are 
very good choices for replacements.

If I were replacing a beam I'd look for either of the latter two versions. For 
an early car, I might be tempted to stay with version 3, just to avoid later 
confusion when it came time to buy new pads.

As for the actual beam itself, I'd emphasize condition over age. Except for the 
change in the Zerk fittings, I believe they're all the same.

-- 
Jim Adney
jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711-3054
USA

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