Just like to relate a potentially disastrous incident I experienced today.
I’ve done a minor resto on our 74 L Bug for the kids to learn to drive as I’m determined to have them learn to drive a manual; no power steering and no a/c is a bonus. Car is very original and straight, I even have the log books when it was first purchased in Canberra in late 1974 and every service and $ spent on it. Has original radio and no speaker holes in door cards. Original 1600 engine with 189,000km and starts first turn of the key.
I’ve replaced all fuel lines, bushes, shocks etc and improved braking dramatically with 944 ventilated discs and callipers all round and Boxster 16x6” wheels with good rubber – great, safe learner’s car with enough power to keep you out of trouble.

Had a 4 wheel alignment done several months ago by a reputable tyre and suspension shop. They were chasing extra caster on the front right – so they fitted a couple of shims to bring it into spec.

While out supervising my 16 yr old daughter practicing hill starts in a quite hilly estate – we heard a clunk and she was unable to steer the car – luckily we were in first gear going slowly.
The f..ckwits who did the wheel alignment didn’t replace the cotter pin in the nut attaching the swaybar to the lower control arm. I know it was there before as I had installed SuperPro polyurethane bushes and replaced the cotter pins. I know it will be vehemently denied when I let them have it.
If this had happened last night when we were doing 100kph on the motorway with a learner at the wheel – I’m sure I wouldn’t be writing this now.

I’m not saying I’m PARANOID but I don’t trust many people to work on my cars (even dealerships) – unfortunately I’ve let my guard down. There are just too many people out there these days happy to tell you how good they are – but really don’t have a f..king clue.

Have many more stories of bad experiences with mechanics, service depts. thinking you’re an idiot and panel beaters.

Had my wakeup call again – if I do it myself (or see it done) I know it’s done. Learn to do it yourself – it’s not rocket science, but do it well – everything has a purpose – you can’t just leave shit off. Or find someone you can trust.

My close call and dummy spit for the day.

Thatsa bit of a bummer but at least no body got hurt,A couple of rules round here is if its shiny its probally shit and do it yourself you can effit for free.There are plenty of wheel alignmet kits out there summit have some good ones.You dont have to do many to recoupe your money.

Similar thing happened to a friends Beetle when it went in for a RWC, they took the rear drums off to check the shoes, wheel cylinder etc and didnt put split pins back in.

10mins down the road from the work shop the back wheel came off with the drum still attached, the axle nut was rattling round loose in the hubcap no split pin in there though.....

Glad to hear you are all ok! What a pain in the butt of a thing to have to deal with. The last thing a learner needs is the fear that the car can just all of a sudden not do what they ask it to!

Why would they remove the split pin there for an alignment?
(I'm only used to real Beetles. No experience with 1302s)

I had a wheel alignment shop who did not tighten my pitman arm nut but I could not figure out why I had 7" of play in the steering wheel,drove 45 minutes to a volksy shop for him to discover the problem in 5 seconds..that could have been a nasty one!!

Oh,and this one is my fault,narrowed tie rod " welded" broke in half while I was reversing out of a carpark,woopsie...I happened to be on the freeway just before I made it to this carpark:-[

Thats the problem , any clown can hang shingle out and proclaim to be a expert, just have a look at the crap restos you see a few years after they are finnished, maybe the guy driving the alignment machine has no training, just picked it up on the job.

Hi

Nice bug, I'm glad you and your daughter and the car were able to survive this.

I'm sure you will find your children will be better drivers having learnt the old school way, teach them how to do a clutch start as well, I come across many people who have no idea how to do one.

You can buy offset caster bushes for the sway bar if you still need more caster.

Steve

Thanks Steve - is there anyone else other than Topline selling offset caster bushes. Have emailed them a few times with questions and no reply.

Well I got the response I looking for from my daughter when we took her grand-mother's Tiguan TDI 7 speed DSG box for a drive and said " I much prefer the Beetle because I feel like I'm actually driving - not just steering".

Quote:

Originally posted by Joel Similar thing happened to a friends Beetle when it went in for a RWC, they took the rear drums off to check the shoes, wheel cylinder etc and didnt put split pins back in. 10mins down the road from the work shop the back wheel came off with the drum still attached, the axle nut was rattling round loose in the hubcap no split pin in there though.....

Karmann141
YIKES
You were very LUCKY...

and no doubt the idiot who left it out didn't really know what he was doing..
and would have denied it...
but the split pin should still have been there somewhere..

That's why You aren't allowed in workshops now...
so, You can't see all the bits left over... lol

LEE

Thanks for the info - actually not sure now if caster needed to be increased or decreased (must check computer printout), but it was out of spec.
Will check nothing has been bent and will get alignment rechecked. No shaking/shimmying or tracking but front end doesn't quite feel right since the incident.

Increasing caster is the way to go, regardless of spec. as long as both sides are equal when doing so.

It really does wonders on turning in, directional stability, more firm steering with better feedback, increased dynamic camber.