Home wheel alignment

Split nut Seriously Crusin Dubber

107 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 13 Jan 2005, 9:12 pm

#292786

I've just lowered my 63 dual cab using a straight axle conversion on the rear and a set of Rob K's dropped spindles on the front. I've replaced the tie rod ends, the steering damper, the drag link and adjusted the steering box. With the front wheels off the ground I can turn from side to side with ease but when I put the bus back on the ground the steering is extremly heavy to turn. So much so that I wouldn't be game to drive it on the road to get it to a wheel alignment shop.

Does anyone have a process I can use to align the wheels at home just so it's a bit easier to steer to allow me to drive it to the pro's?

HotRodMatt If it\'s old or rare - cut it!

3,616 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 13 Jan 2005, 9:43 pm

#292821

There's a site on the web, someone will remember it properly but it's Dave's & someone's VW tips.

They have a basic set of proceedures for doing this yourself.

andrewh Officially Full-On Dubber

284 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 13 Jan 2005, 9:49 pm

#292829

Rob and Dave's Aircooled VW Pages: http://www.vw-resource.com/

HotRodMatt If it\'s old or rare - cut it!

3,616 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 13 Jan 2005, 9:50 pm

#292832

That's the one

there is also this link to another version of it...

http://www.geocities.com/aussiebug1970/

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 13 Jan 2005, 10:08 pm

#292856

I have found doing Your own front wheel alignment is enough to send You round the bend.....

I know many do their own..... but I found it next to impossible to get it all together correctly.....
and I only renewed everything front end wise......

a real pain..... Best of Luck...

Rob from Rob & Dave is Aussiebug1970 in Adelaide...
Hello Rob... will be over in a few months...
Lee

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

57kombi Hannover Elder

2,544 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 13 Jan 2005, 10:57 pm

#292902

I fitted a set of Robs spindles, they are great,
I did my wheel alignmet my self, got it close enough to drive it for a couple of weeks and then took it and got it done properly, took me ages to find someone who had older style alignment gear as the new stuff wouldnt fit over the 15 inch wheel and the large nut of the spindle.

I centred my arm on the steering box, then adjusted the wheels so they looked like they were pointing forward the same amount then I measured the front of the inside of the rims and wound the tie rods so the front was 5 mm smaller that the measurement of the rear of the wheel.
So it had a bit of toe in.
I think thats what its called.
Worked great. for a couple of weeks as I said.

Cheers
Dave

Split nut Seriously Crusin Dubber

107 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 14 Jan 2005, 7:12 am

#292972

Thanks, I'll give it another go.