Just put a narrowed beam in the Beetle and noticed that the LH wheel is further forward than the RH. I measured front to rear axle centres and both are the same. All the front sheet metal looks not to beat up although there is evidence of some front end damage in the spare wheel well, a bit wrinkled on both side bottoms. Also the bonnet sits up in the middle which shows up in the pics, cant see any way to adjust it to close the gap. And the 2 bolts that drop into the top of the beam, the LH bolt drops straight in while the RH is about 10 mm out(body needs to come back to meet the beam).
What is most likely the case, the end of the chassis(frame head?) is bent or the body itself is bent? neither look they have had a hit big enough to make such a difference.
Cheers in advance
Dave

Sorry its not very clear from the pics how much difference there is side to side. Will go and measure hub to bumper or somewhere to give more of an idea.
Also how do you add another pic in a reply?

Have you tried to measure from the face of the frame head where the beam mounts on the left and right hand corners..back to points under the pan to see if the frame head is bent either left or right?

I see the right hand guard has had a side ways kiss... possibly bending in the front lip to make it come in towards the tyre, and possibly bending or flexing the metal where it meets the body to bring it closer to tyre.

Looks like its only the RH guard that is bent, shoulda checked that first!!! Was a bit chaffed after finishing up late last night will try and source a new 2nd hand guard in Darwin and check it out. Thanks for your help guys, breathing easier now

I think maybe its just the body been pushed in for the holes not to line up..

it would take a bit more to push the chassis in...
and seeing there are creases etc in the front means its had an accident at some time... replaced the bumper etc

the middle of the bonnet is normal in most Beetles...
You can adjust the bonnet lock plunger but I'm weary of that in case You adjust too much and cannot get into the boot.. lol

I know mine is but I have a car bra--bonnet bib fitted
under the bonnet

LEE

Just a thought, I also fitted a set of those cheap arse dropped spindles. I wonder if they might be the reason, maybe the stub is fitted in the wrong position on one side. I read a thread on The Samba about narrowed beams and one fella said he had dramas with his so he put the standard spindles back in and just used the beam adjusters to lower it and now it drives heaps better. Are dropped spindles a different offset to stds too? Anyway, when I get a chance I will refit the standard spindles and see, fingers crossed

Put the standard spindles back in and hey whadaya know? wheels sit nice and even again!!!!!!!!! Check it out kids this is the what a learning curve looks like. Cheap most times equals shit

Did you check/adjust the toe in after fitting the drop spindles?
That may have had an effect.
I am having trouble imaginig what was out to cause the spindles to be that far out.

Set toe by eye, then found out the only wheel alignment machine in town needed a its computer repaired so couldnt get it set up properly. i need to measure the spindles up but I reckon the stub was put in the wrong place on the spindle itself. Anyway standards are back in and looking correct, still need to get it on the aligner for fine tuning, found some specs on another thread that we will try out