RICHARD MANN'S UPPER LINK AND REAR SUSPENSION MODS TO 7004100119Q

[Lotus 47]

I really like the Dato set-up where the spline is well away from the flange that mounts the wheel.

I did get a bit carried away last week and bought a couple of VW bits so I can investigate further.  These ones have drum brakes, so I will machine the drum away and be left with a drive flange.

[GavinT]

Richard & Andy,

What is the donor car for those VW bits?

[andy harwood]

Gavin,
According to trimarandan's yahoo group write up of his conversion, he used 68-79 VW beetle stub axles, spacers and drive axles.
Following link about CV joints and axles I found interesting, but then, it's the first time I've ever read anything about CV joints. YMMV
http://blindchickenracing.com/How_to/CVJoints_Axles/cv_joints_101.htm

[GavinT]

Thanks Andy,
I’m not full bottle on CV’s either but the various VW varieties seem to be widely used and that bodes well for finding correct shaft lengths, I’d presume.

[andy harwood]

yes, various shaft lengths available. And to some degree, the various CV's are mixable - which may help to mate a stock length drive shaft to the Europa. Plus the fact the original German parts are of very good quality steel.

[BDA]

The Lotus (Hillman Imp) pieces are crap - they are not hardened. They work (most of the time), but I can't imagine that the German pieces would not be hardened.

[Rosco5000]

Hey guys, not sure how crazy you want to get with the VW set ups but because of the sandrail industry there are a lot of good upgrade parts at a reasonable price.  I did a search and for example you can get a chromoly version of the Beetle stub axle made to mate up with the stronger VW Bus CV for about $100 canadian plus shipping.

https://www.cip1.ca/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C26-525-101


The CVs are also reasonably priced, German made bus CVs are about $90 a piece (4 required) or good quality full half shafts with a CV at each end are $150-$170, new. 

Richard I am really interested to see how the VW stuff works out as I think this is a good quality reasonable priced conversion to make a twin link rear suspension and convert to the more modern CV axle set up.  Your set up you have engineered is really amazing and I love how simple it is.
Ross

 

[andy harwood]

Today, got the Europa frame back from being sand blasted. Ordered some VW bug axles, and a couple rotors. So, soon will be able to mock this up to see how it fits.
If anyone needs some type 3 hubs to experiment with, I have some new Brazilian made ones - cheap.

[SwiftDB4]

Please keep us posted on your progress. I like the VW approach, but machining the type 3 hub or hub with integral brake drum leaves me with a lot of questions. 

[TCS4605R]

Richard,

How do you handle the inboard end on the half shaft.  How do you add a CV flange to the gearbox output shaft?

Tom
74 TCS - 4605R

[andy harwood]

I'll hazard answering - for the VW conversion - yes, a cv flange needed. You'll need some Renault output shaft flanges to mod - unless you use the Lotus yokes, which are pricey.
On the 1st page of this thread is a link to the pics on the YH group of the VW conversion. That is what he did, so I'm assuming they are a different size.
I have no idea what size CV Renault used, if 100 mm. I *think* easy to mate up. I say easy, because it seems a 100 mm CVJ will mate with the stock Bug axle of 33 splines.
I purchased CV flanges from Banks. Pricey, but easy. Then, I find that they are Bank's flanges are 100 mm, and the VW Beetle's are 94 mm, so hoping.
 

[TCS4605R]

So, do you replace the stock Lotus output shafts with new shafts that have CV flanges or is there a separate CV flange that splines onto the Lotus output shaft and is secured with the stock Lotus roll pins?

Tom

[SwiftDB4]

Conversion I've seen welded a VW pattern flat plate onto output shafts from a Renault Turbo Fuego. Renault tripod type CV was cut off.

[GavinT]

These ones have drum brakes, so I will machine the drum away and be left with a drive flange.

I presume the drums are cast iron, yes?
Will that be OK for a wheel flange? . . I would have thought it'd be too brittle?

[GavinT]

Conversion I've seen welded a VW pattern flat plate onto output shafts from a Renault Turbo Fuego. Renault tripod type CV was cut off.

Yes, that would appear to be how trimarandan handled it.
Looking at his photo album, the output flange looks to be welded around the small diameter of the item.
I'd be worried about that but maybe it's fine.