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Measuring and adjusting front camber
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jmarshall024
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 5:53 pm    Post subject: Measuring and adjusting front camber Reply with quote

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 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.



This shows one style of factory protractor:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


And this is another type: (this is the one I have)


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KTPhil Premium Member
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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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