Hi my mechanic fitted a camber compensator to my 1960 Beetle. But it seems to cause it to feel dangerous driving through corners.
Before this - the Beetle had the front lowered and anti-sway bars installed front and back. It drove really well - felt super snug going around corners. I loved driving it.
But the mechanic noticed after awhile - several years - around 20,000 miles that the rear tyres were having their middle section worn out due to the sag.
So he fitted the camber compensator and now it drives.... not so well as before.
Any advice please.
Mechanic was a reputable VW shop.
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
I was always advised that wear in the middle of the tyre meant that you were running too much air pressure in the tyre.
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
as per above too much tyre pressure
He probably means the inside edge which would be attributed to the negative camber as it's lowered. Don't think a camber compensatory would do much for it except make it a stiffer ride.
Depending on the camber compensator it will actually soften the ride, if it is the swayaway type, sway bars on a swing axel rear end is not an ideal set up as it promotes axel tuck under extreme driving conditions, the camber compensator is the correct item for a swing axel rear end, as above, to much tyre pressure, I run two cars with the swayaway type of camber compensator and they both handle very well, far better than when I tried a rear sway bar, lasted about half an hour before I removed it.
Yes, definitely check the tyre pressure, otherwise as per the ancientbugger, the inside of the tyre because of camber.
Let us know! 😉
donn wrote:I was always advised that wear in the middle of the tyre meant that you were running too much air pressure in the tyre.
I set my air pressure low - 16 for the front. 18 for the rear.
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
What are the rear tyre and wheel sizes
?
Middle section of tyre worn out will happen with a tyre too wide for the rim it's on
I won't go into the 'compensator' pros & cons, as there is not enough info...sounds more like tyres to me.Those pressures are too low, stock pessures would be better. 👍
When major changes are made to camber angles, the tyres will need to be 'cut in' - this could take many miles on the road [or a few laps on the track]. The tyre tread will be on an angle to the road surface until it is worn down until level. Full grip won't happen until the 'contact patch' is level with the road surface.
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
Thank you. I re-checked my tyre pressure and increased the front from 17 to 20 to match the back - 20.
It seems to handle better.
Before this - the tyre pressure was set at 16 front, 18 rear and it drove really well. I got this idea from reading this forum and lowering the tyre pressure seem to improve performance.
But what tyre pressure do you recommend?
HappyDaze wrote:I won't go into the 'compensator' pros & cons, as there is not enough info...sounds more like tyres to me.Those pressures are too low, stock pessures would be better. 👍
When major changes are made to camber angles, the tyres will need to be 'cut in' - this could take many miles on the road [or a few laps on the track]. The tyre tread will be on an angle to the road surface until it is worn down until level. Full grip won't happen until the 'contact patch' is level with the road surface.
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
HappyDaze wrote:I won't go into the 'compensator' pros & cons, as there is not enough info...sounds more like tyres to me.Those pressures are too low, stock pessures would be better. 👍
When major changes are made to camber angles, the tyres will need to be 'cut in' - this could take many miles on the road [or a few laps on the track]. The tyre tread will be on an angle to the road surface until it is worn down until level. Full grip won't happen until the 'contact patch' is level with the road surface.
What is the stock tyre pressure btw?
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
Not knowing what size/brand of tyres you are running, and what has been modified on the suspension, makes it difficult to suggest tyre pressures.
Assuming the tyres are a good brand of radials, and not really old, and are 155 or 165 X 15, you could try 19 or 20 front and 22 or 23 rear. Try raising and lowering pressures until you are happy with the settings.
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
HappyDaze wrote:Not knowing what size/brand of tyres you are running, and what has been modified on the suspension, makes it difficult to suggest tyre pressures.
Assuming the tyres are a good brand of radials, and not really old, and are 155 or 165 X 15, you could try 19 or 20 front and 22 or 23 rear. Try raising and lowering pressures until you are happy with the settings.
Sorry I should have been more specific.
I've got Mangel 5.5 "porsche 356" rims. 195/65 R15 rubbers.
I used to be happy like a peach in ice-cream with 16/18psi.
But now that I have a camber compensator the front feels stiff and heavy and going around corners feels like the back is in imminent danger of sliding to destruction.
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
Try higher pressures, and see how it feels - experiment until it feels better.
The compensating spring should 'load up' the outside front wheel on corners, so steering may feel heavier. Any change will take some time to 'get used to'.
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
HappyDaze wrote:Try higher pressures, and see how it feels - experiment until it feels better.
The compensating spring should 'load up' the outside front wheel on corners, so steering may feel heavier. Any change will take some time to 'get used to'.
I changed my air tyre pressure to 23psi front and back.
Its made a big improvement.
The steering is now really smooth and easy.
Driving around corners is still a bit nerve wracking but driving it more seems to help it to "settle down".
I've probably clocked about 200km since I got it back from the mechanic.
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
seems low pressure to me im at 33 psi all round.Had high 20s in front but didnt like it.5 inch 175/60 and 195-65
I set mine at 20psi F & 26psi R. Anything higher, and the rear feels "skatey" and loose (swing axle).
I'm running stock 165R15 all round.
OK. I've switched over to 20psi. front and back.
And steering and driving around corners seems much better now.
In the past - without the camber compensator - I would have a higher pressure for the rear - not much difference though.
But now with that reinforcement - having the same pressure is the better option for me.
Note: I've got Mangel 5.5 "porsche 356" rims. 195/65 R15 rubbers. And my front is lowered slightly too. I also have anti-sway bars front and back. All suspension work done by AVWPC, Croydon.
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
RestoKäfer wrote:seems low pressure to me im at 33 psi all round.Had high 20s in front but didnt like it.5 inch 175/60 and 195-65
Hi. Is your Beetle the early model 1960s or the 1970s type ?
Have you done any mod on your suspension too. Just curious.
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
After nearly two years of use, I can report that the camber compensator has settled down. It feels much better now. I ran it on even pressure for awhile as pumping up the rear made it feel too high at the back.
I also recently changed my air pressure to 20psi front and 27psi rear and it improved handling immediately.
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Owner of a 1964 VW Beetle, 1641cc engine, etc..
I run 24 front and 28 back and the cars have good balance, two of my cars have the sway a way camber compensator and they both handle well when you get used to the handling. you must drive them all the time.
