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CASTOR SHIMS..A NECESSITY? for a modded 70 Beetle?.
snitz - October 4th, 2013 at 07:59 PM

Just after a bit of tech advice..I am about to fit a 2" narrowed ball joint beam with 2" drop spindles and swayaway adjusters into the wifes 1970 beetle.Are castor shims a necessity to correct suspension geometry or is their purpose to "lay" the beam back and provide more castor for better braking?.(Or both..lol).
I know if fitted I need to use longer bolts..Do I only use one set of shims?.. and are there different sizes available?..Do I just buy empi ones from Vollks etc or are there superior brands?...any advice appreciated!.

snitz - October 4th, 2013 at 10:19 PM

:starhit:

Snap Crackle Bang - October 4th, 2013 at 10:32 PM

If you are lowering the front as part of your mods then the shims will return the caster to closer to the standard amount.

68AutoBug - October 5th, 2013 at 12:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by snitz
Just after a bit of tech advice..I am about to fit a 2" narrowed ball joint beam with 2" drop spindles and swayaway adjusters into the wifes 1970 beetle. Are castor shims a necessity to correct suspension geometry or is their purpose to "lay" the beam back and provide more castor for better braking?.(Or both..lol).
I know if fitted I need to use longer bolts.. Do I only use one set of shims?.. and are there different sizes available?..Do I just buy empi ones from Vollks etc or are there superior brands?...any advice appreciated!.


Not 100% sure You need them.. I used to have them fitted now I don't have them.. I may fit them again and see if I can feel any difference.. My Wife complains of the heavy steering.. I only have the front lowered about 2 - 3 inches approx..
I found You can't use the longer bolts as they bottom out..
that is, they are too long.. and the original bolts work fine.. not too short.. as far as I know the shims are all the same..
one size.. made from alloy.. they should correct the castor if its out..

cheers

LEE

hellbugged - October 5th, 2013 at 08:24 AM

If you are doing the beam anyhow, put them in. Restores the castor and as such, suspension geometry lost via the lowering.

vwo60 - October 5th, 2013 at 10:32 AM

You really need to have a wheel alignment carried out to determin if the shims are required, if it is withinn the specs for the alignment then you do not need them, if it needs more castor put them in, it is easy to install them later, at least you will know were you are after the alignment

snitz - October 5th, 2013 at 09:05 PM

I guess that running extra castor with shims wont benefit braking performance seeing that the beetle doesnt has Mac Pherson style struts and the hubs/wheels and brakes pivot on an arc trailing the beam..So they are purely for geometry correction when lowering..Thanks for the input peoples.

vwo60 - October 6th, 2013 at 09:59 AM

A wheel alignment will tell you what castor angle you have, you need to know the angle before you make changes.