Merkur front hubs with Volkswagen struts

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thedrill
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Merkur front hubs with Volkswagen struts

Post by thedrill »

I came across some VW struts at work and thought they looked similar dimensions to the merkur Xr4ti strut, I needed to change out my blown front struts so off I went to the machine shop to get the front hubs bored out by 3mm.. The reason I did this is because You can get a vast number of aftermarket struts for the VW and are a lot less money than the ones for the Xr4ti.
I will be cutting the perches off so I can fit coilovers.

Here are some pictures.


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Last edited by thedrill on Thu Nov 26, 2009 2:25 am, edited 3 times in total.
Russ
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thebronze
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Post by thebronze »

Good find....keep us updated :wink:
Kevin
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thedrill
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Post by thedrill »

thebronze wrote:Good find....keep us updated :wink:
Will do!! :D
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DPDISXR4Ti
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Post by DPDISXR4Ti »

Nice work - BTW, I embedded the pics for you. Couple questions....

1) What is the diameter of the stub-end? Just wondering if it might fit into a Scorpio spindle as-is.

2) Have you compared the overall length to the XR strut?

3) I presume the threaded portion of the shaft is the same, so all the stock upper bearing stuff works, yes?

4) What is the VW application?
Brad
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thedrill
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Post by thedrill »

DPDISXR4Ti wrote:Nice work - BTW, I embedded the pics for you. Couple questions....

1) What is the diameter of the stub-end? Just wondering if it might fit into a Scorpio spindle as-is.

2) Have you compared the overall length to the XR strut?

3) I presume the threaded portion of the shaft is the same, so all the stock upper bearing stuff works, yes?

4) What is the VW application?
1: 49.65mm

2: very close to stock size, and the perch is angled slightly higher for bigger tyres.

3: strut threaded portion is bigger @ 13mm and the shaft is also bigger at 7/8" , so you need the VW bearing at 3.50 each and redrill the spring plates.

4: Beetle , golf and jetta 98-2006.. so there are lots of choices of strut manufacturers.
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DPDISXR4Ti
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Post by DPDISXR4Ti »

thedrill wrote: 1: 49.65mm
Close - Scorpio knuckle measures 51mm (FWIW, XR is 45.4mm). Thought for second "maybe", but that's too much to make up by trying to clamp the pinch fitting down. Could probably get ghetto-creative though and make up the difference with some roof flashing. :twisted:
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Post by thedrill »

DPDISXR4Ti wrote:
thedrill wrote: 1: 49.65mm
Close - Scorpio knuckle measures 51mm (FWIW, XR is 45.4mm). Thought for second "maybe", but that's too much to make up by trying to clamp the pinch fitting down. Could probably get ghetto-creative though and make up the difference with some roof flashing. :twisted:
I went looking around the scrapyards measuring struts, the next size front struts were escort, contour and taurus @ 51mm.

I bought some complete 2002 beetle front struts with springs today and fitted the XR4ti top cap on .. just need to get the weight back on the car to see how they sit.. the coils are certainly fatter.. so it may be too high.. I will find out tomorrow.
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Post by nathankershaw »

Ahh
Those were the hubs you were machining on Monday.
I'm intrigued!
I might see you on Monday.
1987 Merkur XR4Ti. T5 swapped. GAZ gold coilovers. Custom rear strut brace. Polybushed everything. Mustang ten hole wheels. Mercury Tracer front bumper.
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Post by thedrill »

nathankershaw wrote:Ahh
Those were the hubs you were machining on Monday.
I'm intrigued!
I might see you on Monday.
The very same mate, They are now on the car and are working well!!

# Beetle struts and springs give the correct ride height too#

Front end of the car is definately firmer and is a lot flatter in the corners.

See you monday mate.
Russ
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DSPXR4ti
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Post by DSPXR4ti »

thedrill wrote:
DPDISXR4Ti wrote:Nice work - BTW, I embedded the pics for you. Couple questions....

1) What is the diameter of the stub-end? Just wondering if it might fit into a Scorpio spindle as-is.

2) Have you compared the overall length to the XR strut?

3) I presume the threaded portion of the shaft is the same, so all the stock upper bearing stuff works, yes?

4) What is the VW application?
1: 49.65mm

2: very close to stock size, and the perch is angled slightly higher for bigger tyres.

3: strut threaded portion is bigger @ 13mm and the shaft is also bigger at 7/8" , so you need the VW bearing at 3.50 each and redrill the spring plates.

4: Beetle , golf and jetta 98-2006.. so there are lots of choices of strut manufacturers.
Russ,

You are the man, because of this find I got a set of Moton Club-sport double adjustable struts, I can't wait to get them 8 week wait.

Ben
85 DSP XR4ti, 2009 Solo 2 National Champion, burns muffler, 3in exhaust, Mc2 Full suspension, 325 hps & 328tqr, GMR Intake, Wilwood brakes, Eaton LSD, stand alone ECU. Working on being SM National Champion.
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thedrill
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struts

Post by thedrill »

Glad to be of help mate. :D
Russ
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jkxr4ti
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Post by jkxr4ti »

Are these still working well for you? Any more updates on the conversion specifically on the upper strut mount.
Jeremy Kemp

RIP: the Mutt….1988 XR4Ti Chestnut Brown/Spice Leather
MC2 Coilovers and Bushings, Contour Rims and Rotors, Ported Motorsport Head, Cosworth 4x4 Intercooler, Holset HY35 Turbo, 80LB Injectors, Megasquirt2 EFI
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thedrill
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vw struts

Post by thedrill »

Yes they are still on the car, I used the merkur upper mount and top plate, but re-drilled them both to suit the VW strut diameter.. and used the VW rotator / bearing.
The stock beetle struts and springs are an improvement over the original merkur front struts, but would be a lot better with the HD touring Bilsteins.
Russ
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85merwhat?
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Post by 85merwhat? »

I am able to get this kit fairly cheap and was wondering if it is worth it if I decided to go this route. Obviously I wouldnt need the rear stuff but these are monotube Bilsteins. Also I am wondering what else I would need mount wise. Thanks.

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DSPXR4ti
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Post by DSPXR4ti »

85merwhat? wrote:I am able to get this kit fairly cheap and was wondering if it is worth it if I decided to go this route. Obviously I wouldnt need the rear stuff but these are monotube Bilsteins. Also I am wondering what else I would need mount wise. Thanks.

Image
Why wouldn't you use the rear shocks, really the only thing you would have to worry about is the exlength and if it's to short get the shock extensions and the shock body length, you can buy the shock ends to fit the XR4ti, works great, go look at www.daymotorsports.com.

Ben
85 DSP XR4ti, 2009 Solo 2 National Champion, burns muffler, 3in exhaust, Mc2 Full suspension, 325 hps & 328tqr, GMR Intake, Wilwood brakes, Eaton LSD, stand alone ECU. Working on being SM National Champion.
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