Equalizer spring (Z bar) - need a second opinion

[srandol]

I am working on a 1967 Ghia; I went to get new rubber pieces for the equalizer spring (Z bar). The guy at the parts place said just to take it off and throw it away - it is hard to find parts and it never really worked anyway.

I have found a kit with what I need at Wolfsburg West, but am wondering if I should just follow the advice of the parts guy. If it really serves no function, I could do without it, but it seems odd to me that there would be superfluous parts.

What do you think, toss it or keep it?
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1967 Ghia Coupe

[c21darrel]

Id question the parts guys knowledge. Ive read on STF about the z-bar and its can be better than a empi camber compensater. To get max out of it shim it a a bit to make it kick in sooner. Im sure more here will chime in and you can search ask over on the other forum, STF.
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=138800

[vwcomet]

I also have a 1967 and I kept the z-bar. I installed all new bushings and snubbers. I replaced the front sway bar with a thicker Swayaway unit and the car handles great, even with stock, skinny tires. I don't know if this is due to the beefier sway bar or the z-bar, but it works.

[pabloghia]

The guys (or gals) who designed these cars were some of the best engineers on the planet.
They seemed to think it important enough to include in this model even though it would add to the cost of manufacturing. I would side with the German designers than some parts guy at your neighborhood Pep Boys.
Keep the Z-bar..besides it sounds cool...ZeeeBarrr!
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67 Ghia Convertible

[jjjjjoey]

Can someone post a pic of that a complete Z bar looks like; I mean with the rubber on, and bolted up. Mine just seem to BE there and looks like it could fall off.
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67 Ghia n00b

[kingkarmann]

Found this.



Hope it helps
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Retired Sambanista

[RanX0R0X]

I have a '68 and have done a lot of work with it the past few years and had contemplated keeping or leaving the z-bar.

From what I've read, it is not a camber compensator and was not designed to work in that regard. It is unrelated.

With the longer axles of '67 and '68 a natural problem of physics arose. The benefit of the longer axles is that they prevented jacking and concomitant wheel tuck. The axles are longer and inefficient levers (third class?). That means much more force is required to lift the transmission to a staggering height before the wheels actually tuck.

But that creates a problem. Heavy weight in the middle of the car is going to meet less resistance and cause the car to sag. So if you get a couple of 220Lb (100kg) football players in the back seat the tranny is going toward the ground. The z-bar is there to soak up that load and spread the weight out to the frame.

I'm not an expert on the subject so likely have some of the details in that wrong and will redact and edit as more expert advice comes in.

But I think its best not to mix one's cambers with one's zees.

[glutamodo]

and then there's the old classic VW diagrams

[srandol]

Anyone know where to get a replacement for the protective cap?
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1967 Ghia Coupe