Hi there,
I have been going on a few long drives in the volksie of late and I've found that it gets a bit wobbly at about 100 especially if there's some wind around. Is there anything this could be attributed to? or is it just something I'll have to live with? I think i need a wheel alignment and balance because they are a bit out of whack would this help at all?
Also I'm not sure about my rear shockers, but again,not to sure if this would affect it.
I have a 72 Squareback..
Thanks
Pete

try your steering damper.... but do the wheel balance and align first. if that dont fix it try the damper and then your front shocks.

Tazz

cool, thanks
Do you know if i would have to go to a specialised place to get the shocks replaced or would it be kinda standard?

Hi

The front sway bar in the top beam often comes loose on Type 3s causing floating suspension.

Steve

Had the same problem with mine, then discovered it's a fairly common thing with Type 3's to get a wobble up at a certain speed. Not that they have a problem, they just like everything to be right. As Tazz said, wheel balance and alignment first, then shocks then steering damper if all else has failed. Shock absorbers can be done anywhere Petey. A VW place would be ideal but not necess.
If you have a look on the Samba there are plenty of pages from frustrated Type3 owners with the same issue.

Also check or get checked all your ball joints, tierod ends and steering box as any of the these if badley worn will give a bad wobble and if REALLY bad can lead to much more serious problem of loosing a wheel or steering arm which as you can imagine could be scary to say the least.
Sorry to sound so harsh but you wouldn't believe what you see under some peoples cars .

Yep, i would check all the above AND the wheel bearings.. if you don't know how to, jack the wheel up off the ground and put your hands at 12 and 6 o'clock, and try to rock the wheel.. if there's any movement, your bearings need adjusting. Also check at 3 and 9 o'clock.
And no, i don't care if you have other commitments at these times...

Awesome, thanks for the help
I had the car balanced and aligned today and it seems heaps better so far, I didn't even notice that I was going at 60mph today (thought i was at 50).
I'll still check the other things though I think (the whole wheel coming off randomly thing is a bit scarey)

Got a simillar problem in my 71 fasty. My front passenger wheel is making noises so I'll check the bearing for a start, but while its off the ground how can I tell if the tie-rods or steering box are worn - is a bit of movement normal?

Change the shocks yourself, it's dead easy. All you need is a jack (and some axle stands), a couple of spanners or sockets and some WD40 to loosen the old bolts. Keep in mind that like all air cooled VW's, type 3s have all the weight in the back and very little weight in the front. Even with perfectly set up suspension, shocks etc it will tend to wander at high speed in a cross wind. Helps keep you awake on long drives.

Will lowering a notch or two at the front help with front end sway? Mine is a lot better after putting on brand new second hand tyres, and a balance. I need to do my upper ball joints before I get an alignment, and I was thinking about lowering slightly, mainly for looks, but if it keeps the front end steady I will seriuosly think about dropping it.

Does anyone know if lowering the car would make it a bit more stable? I thought I had it sussed but then on a big trip back home with my squarey wandering all over the road (with crossswind) it got me a little scared and I though t i better check it out before i lend it out. It is a little dangerous. I think with mine it might be that there is a little slop in the steering.

I've recently upgraded tyres again a/c old ones too slippery in the wet.
I got hold of some 175/60/15 from the new mini and they have transformed the handling. I lowered her 1 notch up front as well. I don't think it has made much of a difference with the crosswinds though. It something I'm going to have to live with.