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jmarshall024
Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2008
Posts: 135
Location: Hopedale, MA
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 Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 5:53 pm Post subject: Measuring and adjusting front camber |
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I did a search and found some great info posted by Drscope on adjusting toe in and toe out. He also provided info on camber, but not much about measuring and adjusting it.
I have a 67 beetle and I completely rebuilt the front end, but judging by how the car handles I think my front alignment is way off (both camber and toe in/out). Do I need special tools or measuring devices to work on the camber or does someone have a DIY method?
Thanks |
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KTPhil 
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 35770
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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You can get fairly close with a cheaper "protractor level" if it can read 1 degree or finer with consistency. |
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glutamodo
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26515
Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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The factory/dealer used a gravity protractor for measuring camber on the car, that you held up to the wheel. You can buy a magnetic gravity protractor at a hardware store that will allow similar (if harder to read) measurements.
This shows one style of factory protractor:
And this is another type: (this is the one I have)
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KTPhil
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 35770
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:11 pm Post subject: |
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Notice that both VW gauges not only have gradations at 1 degree intervals, they also have vernier scales, so that you can read down to 10 minutes of arc (one sixth of a degree).
The spec is usually about 1 degree of positive camber, so if you can't read with better than 1 degree accuracy, you will not get them set correctly. Unequal camber can cause the car to pull to one side or the other. |
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