Lowered beetle shimmy

[vtech]

I have a 63 beetle. When ever into over bumps the rear of the car shakes side to side. Is it because it lowered? I had a lowered beetle before and it drove way better than this one. This car is sometime scary to drive it feels like I will lose control of it. Any ideas on what may be causing the side to side shimmy in the rear? I installed new kyb Shock thinking may be the shock were bad. But it's doing the same thing.

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

How low?
Like saggy bottom scraping the weeds or just mild?
How was it lowered?
Are the sides equally lowered?
Have you had it aligned at all?
Tires balanced?
Good tires?
Tire size?
Rear drums tight?
Trans mounts?

lots of variable.. shocks are only a small part of the equation.

If its drastically lowered its fighting itself for stability.
Swing axles are the worst offenders.
Extreme camber and the rear is steering itself and you are just along for the ride.
Hope you are insured..


.
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[TastyTuner]

ive got the same issue going on but only at highway speeds. im currently lowered in the back approx two outers with notched spring plates (i have jerfabs to install). i find at approx 60-70mph when i go over any sharp bumps on the highway the rear will sway back and forth. at any speed lower than 60-70 its stable and fine.

my beetle is aligned and drives nice and straight. my thinking is that the excessive toe in at that speed is what is causing the issue. this is why i bought the jerfab plates also, he claims that at this ride height it cleans up most the toe in.

ill elaborate further.... i only seem to have this sway issue when on my staggered wheel set, front tires being 135/15s and rears being 205/65-15s.

when i swap on my smoothies with 135/15s fr and 165/15 rr the issue more or less is non existent. i think alot of the sway can also be contributed to contact patch.

ride height with smoothies

on sprints

_________________
TastyGarage

[vwoldbug]

It can't be aligned with rear wheels setting like that

[txoval]

You need longer spring plates or spring plate extensions or dropped plates to run that low. If not you rear toe adjustment will be way off and the car will handle poorly.

Do you have sealed rear axle bearings? If not, your tearing them up rapidly along with axle fulcrum plates.