TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Sep 20, 2019 1:45 pm

I just rebuilt my beam front end and installed some lift spindles from Latest Rage, I asked around and was told that they were a decent product. I have Tweed trailing arms and the new spindles bolted up using the correct number of shims no problem. However, I just mounted my rims to the hubs and the amount of negative camber I have is way more than I wanted. I have read all the other threads about shimming link pins and was a VW mechanic in a former life. My question is, are the shims just for adjusting gaps and fitting the spindles or are they also for grease control and allowing the spindle bushings / link pins to move smoothly? I'm considering re shimming to adjust the camber and ignoring the factory shim numbers. Gil

Fri Sep 20, 2019 1:57 pm

The shims are for setting the camber, the "factory" shim numbers are strictly for adjusting the kingpin angle. If it's too far out, you will start to bind & wallow the link pin bushings as you start to cant the pins in the bushings.

If the specs are way off, you have a problem with one or all of the aftermarket components. remove the spindles & take your measurements at the trailing arms, if the measurements are within spec here, your problem is at the spindles. If not, your arms or beam is the culprit.

Fri Sep 20, 2019 2:28 pm

Shim chart is for factory spindles, most aftermarket ones have camber built into them. Heres how mine sits after playing musical shims a few times, I choose to stop vs screwing up the bushings on the spindles.

Fri Sep 20, 2019 2:30 pm

The trailing arms have an acceptable off set and the stub axle on the spindle appeared to have enough angle on it to place the wheels close to vertical when I installed them. With the wheels on, it looks almost like I would need the trailing arms to be the same with no offset between them for the wheels to sit properly. I had Tweed spindles before and had just a little negative camber which is what I want.

[/img]

Fri Sep 20, 2019 4:31 pm

I’m pretty sure those spindles have a couple degrees of camber built in.

Sat Sep 21, 2019 9:05 am

Yes they do, but the way it sits right now it looks like a sprint car... ;d

Thu Sep 26, 2019 4:59 pm

Okay, I'm done and not real happy. I've talked with my off road mechanic and some well known off road friends and the only answer they can give is I'm stuck with what I have. I can add shims to the top and get 2 degrees, but then everything begins to bind as I tighten things up. Here's some pictures, I had a fat 6mm of off set on both sides, I shimmed the bottom with 4 on the inside and 4 on the outside, the top with 3 on the inside and 5 on the outside, all per the chart. Nothing is bent and all measurements were taken with the beam exactly level and I get a 4 degree reading on the wheel and tires.

Fri Sep 27, 2019 6:24 pm

I bought a set of 3" lift link pin spindles from Dans Off Road. They are in fact Latest Rage spindles. Dan did mention there is a few degrees camber built into the spindles.

Sun Sep 29, 2019 1:20 pm

The ones I got are at 4 degrees, not 2. The spindles are not manufactured correctly. I should have saved my money and bought some American made ones that are built to advertised specifications..

Tue Oct 01, 2019 9:59 pm

gilmarlin wrote: The ones I got are at 4 degrees, not 2. The spindles are not manufactured correctly. I should have saved my money and bought some American made ones that are built to advertised specifications..

I'm glad I read your story. I was considering the Latest Rage spindles to replace the Tweed set I have. The Tweeds have worn King Pins because the Previous owner really screwed up the set-up and didn't maintain them. The Tweed King Pins are not available anymore.

Is it possible that your problem could be fixed with King Pins, meaning is the angle of the link pin hole off or does the forging actually have camber in it? I guess you could measure the angle between the spindle spud and the king pin. Just an idea.

I feel your frustration and I hope you are able to get this thing set-up so you can get out and enjoy it.

Wed Oct 02, 2019 8:40 am

My tweed spindles had worn link pin bushings that are no longer available, so I went with the Latest Rage ones. I don't see a way to accurately measure what's built in to them and the guy at Latest Rage here in San Diego is of no help at all. He just has parts copied and sells them. No service, no instructions and he makes you feel like an idiot if you ask a question. I guess you get what you pay for...

Wed Oct 02, 2019 9:09 am

Put two gauge blocks under the link pin bushings and then measure the spindle nose angle from those, pretty easy to see what's built into them then.

3-4 degrees of front camber wouldn't worry me unless it's mainly a roadgoing rail anyway.

Thu Oct 10, 2019 1:48 pm

I do run pavement occasionally and the way it sits, my tires would wear out quickly. I drove the car around the block yesterday and the wheels scrub and squeak when I turn hard. I had no issues like that with the Tweed spindles.

Fri Oct 11, 2019 10:06 am

I'm new to baja bugs. My current bug was built for autocrossing and I have decided to go towards baja with it now. I have CB Performance (4280 kit)dropped spindle disc brakes. Do they make a lift spindle or normal height spindle that can accept the disc brakes or do I need to convert those over as well?

Sun Oct 13, 2019 12:16 pm

JPro62 wrote: I'm new to baja bugs. My current bug was built for autocrossing and I have decided to go towards baja with it now. I have CB Performance (4280 kit)dropped spindle disc brakes. Do they make a lift spindle or normal height spindle that can accept the disc brakes or do I need to convert those over as well?

Get some Thing spindles and arms. It will lift it and you can use disc brakes no problem.

Wed Oct 23, 2019 12:59 pm

FlannelShirtGuy wrote: JPro62 wrote: I'm new to baja bugs. My current bug was built for autocrossing and I have decided to go towards baja with it now. I have CB Performance (4280 kit)dropped spindle disc brakes. Do they make a lift spindle or normal height spindle that can accept the disc brakes or do I need to convert those over as well?

Get some Thing spindles and arms. It will lift it and you can use disc brakes no problem.

Thing spindles won't work since the car is link pin. Did Ghia's ever come with link-pin front ends?

Wed Oct 23, 2019 1:24 pm

I put a set of the Latest Rage combo spindles (stock height) on my buggy a few months back.
I am using a aftermarket stock width beam and stock front trailing arms.
Camber is Zero (0) degrees with them.
For disc brakes you need them combo spindles. The bolt pattern for the caliper bracket is the same as a Ball Joint backing plate
Spindle uses link pin size nut to hold wheel bearings in place
Tie rod ends are International Truck size.
I am using JaMar (2 piston, 2in size pad) disc brakes on the front.
Suspension travel is 10-1/2in with a 8in travel FOX shock

I also went with a SACO rack and pinion for steering.

Wed Oct 23, 2019 2:57 pm

gilmarlin wrote: I do run pavement occasionally and the way it sits, my tires would wear out quickly. I drove the car around the block yesterday and the wheels scrub and squeak when I turn hard. I had no issues like that with the Tweed spindles.

My advice? Take your Tweeds spindles to a local machinist. Have them make a new set of bushings. If its just the bushings that are worn they are EASY to make.

Wed Oct 23, 2019 5:55 pm

That's what I'm in the process of doing, I ordered some 18mm i.d. bushings without the grease grooves from Saco. I'm having the o.d. turned down to an interference fit. The link pin bushings for the Latest Rage spindles I got went in basically by pushing hard on them, another thing I wasn't too happy about. Anyone want to buy some raised spindles? Never used, 4.5 degrees of built in negative camber, link pin bushings included... :D

Wed Oct 23, 2019 8:31 pm

gilmarlin wrote: I do run pavement occasionally and the way it sits, my tires would wear out quickly. I drove the car around the block yesterday and the wheels scrub and squeak when I turn hard. I had no issues like that with the Tweed spindles.
They are already on there, take it out in the dirt and see how they do. Might surprise you . Look at a beam front suspended car going through a turn. Notice how the tire leans just as much as the frame. On any sort of turn you are steering on the outside edge of the tire. With all this extra camber in a turn your tire is now flat or even on the inner edge just a bit which is far preferred to being on the outside edge.