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paf
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 138
Location: France
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 Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 7:26 am Post subject: Caster shims installation |
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Hello,
I installed dropped spindles this winter on my 58 beetle, and yesterday after a first ride on the motorway at 100km/h, I noticed the car is not as stable as it was before. I certainly need to install caster shims on my front axle. To do so, I think I only need to :
* unscrew the 4 bolts from the axle to the frame,
* remove the 2 lowes screws,
* install the shims
* and use the longer screws, part of the kit.
Is it ok acording to you ?
Additional question : I heard that some may have problems with the steerin box, is it the case with only 1 catser shims on each side of the front axle ? If yes, what needs to be done to overcome this problem ?
Thanks a lot.
_________________
Fred
Euro '58 L334 bug
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657333
Last edited by paf on Mon May 02, 2016 4:14 am; edited 1 time in total |
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67rustavenger 
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Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 9762
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 7:47 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims instalaltion |
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I did this on a ball joint recently. You don't need the longer bolts for a single shim install. Just loosen all four bolts and slip in the shims behind the bottom beam and frame head. Tighten them to the correct torque. You will have to re-index the steering box so that the "rag" joint is not distorted when you turn the steering wheel.
Once all that is done you need to check the toe in/out of the tires so that you have the correct geometry. Some say 1/16" to 1/8." 1/8" seems a bit much.
After the install on my car it was sooooo much more stable  at highway speeds.
Good Luck
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
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paf
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Posts: 138
Location: France
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67rustavenger
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 9762
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 9:24 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims instalaltion |
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| paf wrote: |
Hello,
Not sure I catch what is the "toe"... How do you re-index the steering box ? Thanks. |
Sorry. It may just be a language barrier.
Toe is the distance between the tires. Toe in is the tires in front of the axle are closer together. Toe out is the tires are farther apart in front of the axle. I hope this makes sense.
To re-index the steering box. Loosen the bolts securing the box to the upper beam. Rotate the steering box so that the steering shaft and the input shaft in the steering box are aligned. Once you have it aligned tighten the steering box bolts.
If your not sure of the toe setting. I suggest you take your car to an alignment shop and have them reset it for you.
Good Luck.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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paf
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 138
Location: France
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| Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:06 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims instalaltion |
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Ok I catch it now, sorry my english is not as fluent I wish.
OK thanks for the steering box, this is easy then.
_________________
Fred
Euro '58 L334 bug
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657333 |
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67rustavenger
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 9762
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:11 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims instalaltion |
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| paf wrote: |
Ok I catch it now, sorry my english is not as fluent I wish.
OK thanks for the steering box, this is easy then. |
Your English is just fine. It's better than mine. LOL And English is my first language. 
Have a great weekend.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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57BLITZ
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Joined: June 12, 2012
Posts: 2385
Location: DEEK - U.S.A.
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paf
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 138
Location: France
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| Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:18 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims instalaltion |
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Ok many thanks. I got it now. I was suppsoed to do it after installing my dropped spindles, so I will just wait for the caster shims to be installed before.
Have a great week end.
_________________
Fred
Euro '58 L334 bug
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657333 |
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paf
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 138
Location: France
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| Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 4:18 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims installation |
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Hello,
I have an additional question. To install caster shims on my link pin axle do I have to loosen those bolts :
?
These are the two bolts (arrows) that attach the body to the upper axle tube. Because for that I need to remove the fuel tank, and this is a more difficult job that expected. Thanks.
_________________
Fred
Euro '58 L334 bug
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657333
Last edited by paf on Mon May 02, 2016 4:25 am; edited 1 time in total |
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67rustavenger
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Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 9762
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 4:24 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims installation |
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NO
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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paf
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 138
Location: France
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| Posted: Wed May 04, 2016 5:01 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims installation |
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Thanks, I have seen that those bolts are not under the fuel tank, but located close to the spare tire, then accessible.
But although I tried to install those shims yesterday, I did not complete the job as I was unable to remove one of the bolts attaching the axles to the frame. My car is drivable without being dangerous, so I think I will do that later this winter, because nice weather is expected now, and I want to cruise...
to be continued...
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Fred
Euro '58 L334 bug
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657333 |
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bluedot
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Joined: April 25, 2013
Posts: 439
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: Caster shims installation |
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Just wanted to pipe in and say that I added caster shims to my lowered ghia - or should I say - slammed ghia.
WOW! 
They made such a difference in the ease of steering and the return to center. Can't believe I went 3 years without the knowledge this would help. |
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paf
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 138
Location: France
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| Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 3:43 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims installation |
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Hello,
I am doing this job now, and I faced a problem : one bolt broke while trying to unscrew it (it was so corroded that the bolt was only 9mm diameter instead of 12mm where it broke...). I have to dismantle the whole beam to remove it. But this is not for that that I post here.
I ordered new bolts to replace the broken one, and I received them with a spring washer. On the beam they are currently installed with a lock plate instead of the spring washer. I have spare lock washers, but I am wandering which installation is the best. I know that after a certain date they move from lock plate to spring washer, at the same time they shifted to ball joint maybe. So it means that both technics are OK for the beam to frame attachment, but the last one (spring washer) has been chosen for the last installation so it may be better. any advices ? Thanks.
_________________
Fred
Euro '58 L334 bug
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657333 |
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All_talk
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 114
Location: Thorp, WA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: Caster shims instalaltion |
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[quote="67rustavenger"]
| paf wrote: |
...
To re-index the steering box. Loosen the bolts securing the box to the upper beam. Rotate the steering box so that the steering shaft and the input shaft in the steering box are aligned. Once you have it aligned tighten the steering box bolts... |
You will not be able rotate the steering box because there is a pin on the beam tube that locks into a notch in the clamp. Its possible that not all aftermarket or modified (narrowed) beams have this pin but the originals do. So to rotate the steering box you will need to grind the pin off the beam or modify the notch in the clamp.
Gary |
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paf
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 138
Location: France
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 2:48 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims installation |
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Ok but it seems that for only 1 shim (each side), it is not really needed to reindex. Anyway I will see shortly.
About my question on spring washers VS locking plate, no advices ?
_________________
Fred
Euro '58 L334 bug
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657333 |
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All_talk
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 114
Location: Thorp, WA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 9:11 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims installation |
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I'm not sure the factory ever used lock washers on the steering box bolts, I have worked on several ball joint beams and all had the lock plate.
I use the lock plate... safety first. |
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paf
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 138
Location: France
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 9:48 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims installation |
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Hello,
Not on the steering box, I am dealing with lock plate on the axle to frame bolts.
But OK, I will use as factory outlet : lock plate, you are right safety first. Thanks.
_________________
Fred
Euro '58 L334 bug
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657333 |
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paf
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 138
Location: France
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:28 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims installation |
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Hello,
I succeed to remove the broken bolt and all the other one. I would like now to tap the insert to clean it and make it back as new. I think this thread is a M12*1.5 (this is what I find out) but would like to have a confirmation before doing something wrong. Thanks.
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Fred
Euro '58 L334 bug
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657333 |
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SBD
Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2012
Posts: 3269
Location: SOUTH DAKOTA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 7:05 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims installation |
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Try a nut of that size on one of the other bolts. 
_________________
"Just $99 down and $64 a month for 36 months buys you a brand new Volkswagen Beetle!"
| mark tucker wrote: |
| I wouldent waste $ or thyme on building a small motor. build it big so it dosent have to work hard.remember it's only as fast as your foot alows it to be unless you build a small turd then it just stinks as it squishes up through your toes when you step on it. |
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paf
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 138
Location: France
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| Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 1:38 am Post subject: Re: Caster shims installation |
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Thanks.
I used a gauge on one of the bolt, and it is confirmed to be a 1.5mm thread. Insert is tapped, and clean now. All I need is to put everything back on the car with caster shims.
_________________
Fred
Euro '58 L334 bug
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657333 |
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