Right, to add a little bit of positivity cuz something good should come out of 2023, the results of my (not so extensive) research.
Digging about on Autodoc I saw that the wheel hubs from the Mk1 and Mk3 Leon (sub 120bhp version as they run a beam axle) have the same internal diameter. Could it really it be that easy? So, I bought a used rear stub axle and took the hub off. Does it fit on the Mk1 Leon stub? Yes... and no. It does physically fit but the ABS sensor is too far forward so no go.
Then I looked at the Mk3 stub and thought "I could always do an adapter plate, sort of like PCD changing spacers". So I offered up the Mk3 stub to the Mk1 axle...
It only bloody well bolts up as is!
This means if you want to run 5x112 without ABS or the fun of adapters, bolt on a Mk3 Leon (or others) stub axle and you're a good way there (there's brakes to line up etc but such is life).
Now, I do want to keep the ABS cuz it's a technical challenge so an adapter plate will be necessary as the Mk1 Leon has the sensor on the stub axle but the Mk3 doesn't.
The conversion probably won't be done till this time next year but it is progressing
I always feel like a bit of a ******* when you do an experiment - like you're going through the expense and frustration, but in the end I end up reaping the benefits - but do keep on.
One of these days, we won't be able to get the structural parts and so anything that might end up with us being able to keep things going with newer parts is only going to be a good thing.
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