Talk beams to me, my heads whirling

  1. #1
    Right, I've been collecting parts to 16v my ph1 flat arch 106 this xmas. I'm basically there, but I have some beam issues. I have a VTS beam currently in my possession, that's utterly shagged. It does however have 23mm torsion bars that I want out of it, so I'm aware I can find the guide and remove them.

    I have a good axle on the ph1 at the moment, it's done 48k and is in good standard condition.

    My initial thought was to fit the VTS disc setup in place of the drums. I'm not entirely clear on this though. Can I swap over just the hub part on the end of the trailing arms, or do you need to swap the whole trailing arm over? If that's the case, mine are fucked.

    Then, I've done more reading, and a lot of people are saying keep the drums as the rear only provides 15% of braking anyway. I'm going to lighten the entire car so the back is only going to get lighter. This leaves me with 3 stud drums though. Can I get a 4 stud drum to fit?

    The drum beams are narrower as well aren't they? Is this likely to be beneficial in terms of not having to roll the arches, as I intent to run 185/55/14 tyres on Rallye Steel wheels. Obviously it's narrower rear track though, which is less ideal from a handling perspective, although in all honesty, I can't imagine I'd notice? Or would the narrower beam mean that the insides of the tyres would rub the arches?

    Argh. Head battered.
  2. #2
    For further background information, I'm trying to work out what I can do here in terms of using the parts I already have, as ideally £400 for a new IM Axle could be spent on a set of tyres, or a satchshift, or seats, or a wheel etc etc lol.

    I have all of the actual parts for the disc setup, as I have a full VTS sat in my garage, the only problem is the actual beam is mullered and there's a ton of play in the arms. If I can unbolt all of the stuff from the arm itself and bolt it to the poverty beam on the 106 I have that's in great order, but 3 stud, then happy days.

    If I can't, can I bolt a 4 stud drum to the 3 stud beam, as obviously I need to run 4 stud for rallye steels.
  3. #3
    Right, both bare axle's are exactly the same. The disc brake axle's are only wider due to the longer stub axles.

    So whatever you want to do in regards to going disc beam, or 4 stud drum brake's, can be done.
  4. #4
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Nik_L View Post
    Right, both bare axle's are exactly the same. The disc brake axle's are only wider due to the longer stub axles.

    So whatever you want to do in regards to going disc beam, or 4 stud drum brake's, can be done.
    Ok Nik, cheers. So the stub axles, are these on the end of the bare axle and connect the trailing arm, or are these on the end of the trailing arm behind the disc setup / holding the disc setup on?

    Sorry if that doesn't make sense, hopefully it will.
  5. #5
    Nik, you've already answered my question before, somehow I couldn't find it, now I have, I'm basically a chump.

    Thanks for your help, both now and previously.

    FML
  6. #6
    Can't help with the beam question, but I wanna see this new flatarch.
  7. #7
    The stub axles are on the end of the trailing arm. They are the last bit to be removed when changing say drums to discs etc. The just bang out.
  8. #8
    Boosh!

    Fuck having a look at it, come and help me build it lol!

    I'll drop you a PM dude, holla sometime, I wouldn't mind a peek at your seats. They look massive, and comfy in equal measures.

    Where's your exhaust?!
  9. #9
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Nik_L View Post
    The stub axles are on the end of the trailing arm. They are the last bit to be removed when changing say drums to discs etc. The just bang out.
    Sweet
  10. #10
    I only know because my VTR had a fuked axle, and i got a drum axle from the scrappies and changed it all over. Side by side, they were both exactly the same when stripped down.