CASTOR SHIMS..A NECESSITY? for a modded 70 Beetle?.

snitz Wolfsburg Wizard

605 posts · joined Sep 2008 · 4 Oct 2013, 7:59 pm

#971773

Just after a bit of tech advice..I am about to fit a 2" narrowed ball joint beam with 2" drop spindles and swayaway adjusters into the wifes 1970 beetle.Are castor shims a necessity to correct suspension geometry or is their purpose to "lay" the beam back and provide more castor for better braking?.(Or both..lol).
I know if fitted I need to use longer bolts..Do I only use one set of shims?.. and are there different sizes available?..Do I just buy empi ones from Vollks etc or are there superior brands?...any advice appreciated!.

snitz Wolfsburg Wizard

605 posts · joined Sep 2008 · 4 Oct 2013, 10:19 pm

#971791

😵

Snap Crackle Bang Seriously Crusin Dubber

146 posts · joined Aug 2009 · 4 Oct 2013, 10:32 pm

#971792

If you are lowering the front as part of your mods then the shims will return the caster to closer to the standard amount.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 5 Oct 2013, 12:29 am

#971796

snitz wrote:Just after a bit of tech advice..I am about to fit a 2" narrowed ball joint beam with 2" drop spindles and swayaway adjusters into the wifes 1970 beetle. Are castor shims a necessity to correct suspension geometry or is their purpose to "lay" the beam back and provide more castor for better braking?.(Or both..lol).
I know if fitted I need to use longer bolts.. Do I only use one set of shims?.. and are there different sizes available?..Do I just buy empi ones from Vollks etc or are there superior brands?...any advice appreciated!.

Not 100% sure You need them.. I used to have them fitted now I don't have them.. I may fit them again and see if I can feel any difference.. My Wife complains of the heavy steering.. I only have the front lowered about 2 - 3 inches approx..
I found You can't use the longer bolts as they bottom out..
that is, they are too long.. and the original bolts work fine.. not too short.. as far as I know the shims are all the same..
one size.. made from alloy.. they should correct the castor if its out..

cheers

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 5 Oct 2013, 8:24 am

#971799

If you are doing the beam anyhow, put them in. Restores the castor and as such, suspension geometry lost via the lowering.

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 5 Oct 2013, 10:32 am

#971804

You really need to have a wheel alignment carried out to determin if the shims are required, if it is withinn the specs for the alignment then you do not need them, if it needs more castor put them in, it is easy to install them later, at least you will know were you are after the alignment

snitz Wolfsburg Wizard

605 posts · joined Sep 2008 · 5 Oct 2013, 9:05 pm

#971832

I guess that running extra castor with shims wont benefit braking performance seeing that the beetle doesnt has Mac Pherson style struts and the hubs/wheels and brakes pivot on an arc trailing the beam..So they are purely for geometry correction when lowering..Thanks for the input peoples.

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 6 Oct 2013, 9:59 am

#971859

A wheel alignment will tell you what castor angle you have, you need to know the angle before you make changes.