Club 80-90 Forums

Hi, searching for a set of 16" trailing arms to install on my 14" syncro but having trouble sourcing them overseas. If anyone's parting out a wrecked 16" syncro would be interested. Also is it difficult to extend and reinforce the stock trailing arms as I've thought about having a fabrication shop do this for me if it can be done properly.cheers,erik

hi erik. try http://www.vw-classicparts.de" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; i saw these guys at the malvern show this year and they are getting 16" arms made. not cheap but well engineered.

Thanks I know of a few places that do manufacture them in the U.S and germany but very pricey as you say. I think I could probably have a very good fabrication job done on my 14" trailing arms for that kind of money and still save myself the shipping cost to australia. Hoping something used pops up for less than what these shops are asking

Wont you also need all the 16" specific gubbins that go with them also?

If youre 14" at the moment i would look at getting the 14" arms modified, or you will have a load of other bits to source as well as the arms.

Get your local blacksmith to knock up something like this.....

All 14 parts fit a 16 trailing arm and the other way round.
Russel

I stand corrected!

Doug,

Is that cut back into the original meat or just deseamed and reinforced over top?

== a plan view would be good

PS. Blacksmith = Structural Steel Fabricator

The only people who know what a 'blacksmith' really is all have bus passes and shouldn't be driving

The white bit is an unmodified trailing positioned beneath to show the extent of the modification.

Thankyou Doug... superbe, thought it was AUTOCAD for a mo'

Cool thanks for those pictures of the modified arm I haven't seen it done that way yet. Most I've seen seem to weld in a complete new section to the arm though i have worries about getting the geometry correct this way. has it needed reinforcing in any way? It looks like the arm is much thinner having and inch removed? I'm no expert in metal fabrication so no idea how something like this would be strengthened I imagine it's more complex than simply welding more metal to the surface

The section was removed then a plate welded in place, no additional reinforcement - my local 'blacksmith' charged me £50.
Had them on the van for six months now, on and off road.

Thanks. What size tires have you run with these trailing arms? seeing as the wheel remains in the stock 14" trailing arm position does the wheel sit an inch closer towards the front of the wheel well than it would with the stock 16" extended arms? Have you had any clearance issues as such?

Sorry another question is are there much difference in the 2wd trailing arms from those of a syncro?