Ok, this camber adjustment has now annoyed me....

[Jerry39218]

As I am STILL waiting on the new shims.... I tried once again using the OLD shims and here is where I moved them around to.

A-2
B-6

C-6
D-2

Other than a little play in the lower linkpin bushing on one side everything seems fine....except..

for I still have a slightly camber-toed front end!!! (causing the outside of the tires to wear)

that's the max I want to go on the shims...nothing seems bent, everything appears ok.

Any ideas? Am I missing something?
Even had an old VW guy tell me that people used to weld steel Ibeams on the front end to counter that?? Seriously?

[andk5591]

Do any of your shims have the O ring and are thicker? There are 2 different settings using 8 or 10 shims that I believe are dependent on that.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

Hmmmm .. why does this sound so familiar..

[Jerry39218]

Fine... it's not adjustable.

Solution?

Replace the whole front beam?

Or just shim it (against the book yet it's what old timers say do hah) and possibly replace link bushings sooner than 5 years?

Suggestions please...

[Jerry39218]

After reading up some more I'm thinking replacing the link pin carrier.

My question is how did both sides get SO much positive camber and the carriers do not look to be bad or bent?

This thing looks very pigeon toed on camber and the tires that were on it the outside was almost bald.

[lostinbaja]

My Manx is set to the factory camber and the tires show no signs of wear with 30,000 miles on them. How many miles do your worn tires have? Replacing the beam will not affect the camber at all. The camber is dictated by the trailing arms, spindles and carriers in conjunction with the link pin shims.
_________________
Jerry...
If it's being towed, it must be a trailer!
"Vee Grow Too Soon Oldt Und Too Late Schmardt"
RIP Morgan

My photos
http://www.manxgallery.org/gallery/album92

[Jerry39218]

Then I can only presume that the wrong parts were installed at some point.

I suppose when money and time allows I can replace the carrier and spindles

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

The VW stock spec is slightly positive camber, and slightly positive toe.
Of course if you have any wheel or tire on it other than stock.. stock specs can be pissed out the window.
(new slot wheels ?)


Stock link carriers seldom have issues.
Trailing arms are usually the weakest link and issue.

Some have had success with a nice whack with a mallet.
BUT!!!
You would then need to remeasure and set up the shims according to the the charts for your application.

Could be what you see as exterme.. is perfectly fine and 100% normal
Wide tires amplify the looks, effects and tire wear of positive camber..

Do you have any idea what you car actually has for angles?
Toe/Camber/Caster..

If its toe'd in too much it will wear the outside edges as well.

Got pics of this pigeon from the front on a good level surface?

.
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited

[Dale M.]

A possibility is you may have a set of bent tubes....

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[BL3Manx]

If the front camber really does exceed the stock VW specs after shimming according to the book, I think the most likely reason is the lower trailing arms have been bent inwards, it does happen but most usually on the curb side. VW supposedly had a jig to check the arm. I suppose you could compare them to another known good arm.

Another thing I've seen happen is the grub screw on the trailing arm wasn't adequately tightened right in the center of the dimple on the torsion leaf stack and the arm has worked itself outwards.

[Jerry39218]

I believe there may be some pics posted.

Nothing appears bent and it's the same positive camber both sides.

No I have nothing with which to measure but it looks like 1" out on the top of the tires.

Since I adjusted the shims only looks about .5 " out.

The old tires were almost bald on the outer half...inside of the tires looked new.

[BL3Manx]

Another factor is how worn are the shanks of the bolt that engages the spiral grooves machined in the link pins. I've seen them real sloppy.

These type of link pins are more positively held.

http://www.mooreparts.com/1200-AC405055/

Another possibility is your king pins are worn

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

^ Normally worn king and or link pins... create Negative Camber..

Unless you take an actual alignement measurement you are just quessing at what it actually is.

On a good solid level surface.
Use a plumb bob, string, level and a tape measure..
There are also handy dandy angle finders that work ok.. even smart phone Apps.

I looked through your pics and really didnt see anything abnormal.. It could all be a toe in issue that give the illusion of excessive positive camber.

Measure your angles... or get it measured by a professional. .
.

.
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited

[Jerry39218]

It's camber. Positive camber. Not a toe in issue.

I will see if I can get some kind of measurement.

[Iguana]

[EVfun]

I can think of 2 things, one of which has been mentioned.

1. The trailing arms are bent by whacking curbs. Seems less likely when you have the same problem on both sides. It will twist the arms though, so when you strait edge them to get a measurement to determine where to put the shims you may (if it isn't severe) get a valid answer, but excess positive camber when done.

2. If you are using old shims they may be worn. The specs only work for new shims. If using old shims you have to measure the shims and put the correct thickness of shims in between the king pin carrier and trailing arms. The actual count could be wrong to get the measurement right. In my experience it is the upper inboard shims that wear the fastest.
_________________

[lostinbaja]

[Jerry39218]

[RedBaronofRedBud]

[Iguana]