Swing Axle Tubes, Raw, Pair

Upgrade Your Drivetrain with Precision-Engineered Swing Axle Tubes

When you''re pushing the limits of your air-cooled Volkswagen, whether it''s a street-pounding Beetle or a sand-shredding dune buggy, the integrity of your rear suspension is paramount. These Latest Rage Swing Axle Tubes are designed for enthusiasts who demand a perfect fit and rugged durability. Manufactured to meet or exceed original equipment standards, these "long axle" tubes provide the necessary housing for your 19.5-inch axles, ensuring that your power is delivered to the ground without compromise. By choosing a raw finish, you are getting a blank canvas that allows for custom powder coating, high-temp painting, or even additional gusseting for extreme off-road applications. These tubes are the backbone of a reliable swing axle setup, providing the structural support needed to maintain proper wheel alignment and housing the critical components that keep your transaxle oil where it belongs.

For the professional builder or the dedicated weekend warrior, the "long" swing axle configuration is a popular choice for increasing the rear track width and providing a more stable footprint. These tubes are sold as a pair, ensuring that both the driver and passenger sides of your VW benefit from fresh, straight, and un-pitted steel. Unlike used, salvaged tubes that may have hidden stress cracks or bent flanges from decades of abuse, these new units offer peace of mind. They are specifically engineered to accommodate the long-style axles typically found in late 1960s models, making them a vital component for disc brake conversions or widening the stance of a custom rail buggy. When you invest in your suspension, you aren''t just buying parts; you''re buying the confidence to take that next corner or hit that next dune with total authority.

Comprehensive Vehicle Fitment

• Volkswagen Beetle: 1967-1968 (US Models with Long Axle Swing Transaxles).
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1967-1968.
• Dune Buggies & Sand Rails: All custom builds utilizing a Long Axle Swing Transaxle setup.
• Baja Beetles: Ideal for long-axle conversions to increase rear stability.
• Type 3 Models: 1967-1968 Swing Axle variants.

Technical Specifications and Dimensions

• Part Number: AC501150
• Product Type: Swing Axle Tubes
• Quantity: Sold as a Pair (Left and Right sides included).
• Overall Length: 19-1/2 Inches (Industry Standard "Long" Length).
• Finish: Raw Steel (Requires painting or coating to prevent oxidation).
• Material: Heavy-Duty Carbon Steel.
• Axle Compatibility: Designed for "Long" style swing axles.
• Application: Air-cooled VW Swing Axle Transaxles only (Does not fit IRS).

Pro Tips from the Appletree Garage

Pro Tip 1: Proper Surface Preparation is Vital. Since these tubes arrive in a raw steel finish, they are susceptible to flash rust if left unprotected. Before installation, we highly recommend degreasing the tubes thoroughly with a wax and grease remover, followed by a high-quality primer and chassis paint or professional powder coating. This doesn''t just make your undercarriage look show-quality; it prevents corrosion from weakening the metal over time, especially in the areas where the tube meets the spring plate.

Pro Tip 2: Never Reuse Old Seals and O-Rings. Whenever you have the axle tubes off the car, it is the absolute best time to replace your inner and outer axle seals, as well as the large O-rings that seal the tube to the transmission case. Reusing old seals is a recipe for gear oil leaks, which can ruin your brake shoes or pads and leave a mess on your garage floor. Ensure the mating surfaces are perfectly clean and use a small amount of transmission fluid to lubricate the seals during assembly to prevent tearing.

Pro Tip 3: Check Your Fulcrum Plates. During the installation of these tubes, pay close attention to the fulcrum plates (the "spoons") inside the differential. Ensure they are properly seated and that the axle moves freely within its range of motion before tightening the boot or the spring plate bolts. If the axle is bound up or the fulcrum plates are misaligned, you can cause internal damage to the transmission spider gears or the axle itself. Take your time, use plenty of assembly lube, and double-check your clearances.