I've just taken my bus (72 bay) for a test drive after installing beam adjusters and dropping the front 2". Unfortunatley the steering is now exremely heavy and it does not centre after cornering.

Putting it back on the jacks I removed the tie rods and found the wheels to be very stiff to turn. I also noted that some of the rubber gatters, on the ball joints, twist as the wheel does. Is this usual?

I'm not sure what is causing the heavy steering, any ideas?

I also don't understand what should move when the wheel pivots. Do the ball joints rotate or does the spindle rotate on the ball joint?

Perhaps the castor needs to be adjusted?
-Staggers.

call steve at kombi rescue, 0400 356 057 .. I dropped my bus on its nuts today and rides the same, just a little harder, running a 68 beam... so what you describe dont sound normal...

sounds like You have gone too far for the tie rod ends..
but some tie rod end rubber boots do grab..
as You can't grease the replacements..
so the rubber gets dry and grabs...
if they are old they may be worn and NOT twist...

have You installed castor shims?

Most people with beetles add the castor shims to get the castor etc back to original...

whether You can do that ?? to a type 2
Not sure...

Lee

Try a wheel alignment too, but yeah, do what Warbs says.

My tie rods touched the chassis with more than one person in the split. Couldn't turn at all. A small chassis notch fixed that.

Front end alignment and if you can adjust the rear up a little bit that will help too

Tie rod end: were clear of chassis.

Castors: not heard of them used on a type 2.

Wheel Alignment: Will do but the wheel pivot being stiff seems to another issue.

Raising rear: With the 2" drop the drop now matches the sagging rear.

Ball joints: These where new in so they should rotate, although I did read somewhere that they might be stiff to start with and then wear in. Does this sound likely?

Cheers
Pav.

who sold u the adjusters? be worth talking to them.

Had the same thing with my splitty, 68 beam new ball joints stiff at first but wearing in now. Still, hard to beleive they were like that when the van was sold new. Caster and camber adjustment is limited but is acheived with the offsetbush on the top balljoint but if you lower the back as well and the bus is level then camber shouldnt be a problem.