1964 bug sways from side to side when I hit 50 mph .!!!

[Frank_!]

So I'm a new member to this site ... though I've read plenty of topic from it before ... so I have a question ... for you guys .. my 64 vw bug sways from side to side once I hit 45-50 mph pretty sketchy causing me to slow down and get it off the road I've checked the sway bar seems solid no play ... the steering wheel is good no play and aligned ... tire pressure is all good .. what else should I check ..? And how ..?

[slalombuggy]

Are the king and link pins tight? Tierods also?

Is the car stock height or lowered?

Has the rear end been aligned also or just he front wheels?
If the rear toe is out, the car gets very sketchy at speed. My Oval went sideways at speed at Bonneville because the toe had changed due to some suspension work on one spring plate.

Welcome to the Samba

brad

[iowegian]

Grease the kingpins and all steering joints. Turn the steering wheel lock to lock a few times and the grease it again. Drive the car a bit and then repeat.
What might be happening is that the steering is not returning to center the way it is supposed to, the car wanders left and the driver corrects to the right, but he over-corrects making the car veer. Over-correct back left, then right again, etc, etc, etc
You are weaving all over the place.
I had it happen with a Ghia that had not been on the road in over 30 years and was all gummed up.

[wcfvw69]

More info is needed to get better answers. Lowered/not lowered. Any new parts installed on the front or rear?

If nothing is binding up in the front suspension, I'd wonder about the condition of your rear torsion bar bushings. If the rear alignment was wildly out of spec, it could cause this as well.
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[Frank_!]

Hey sorry yeah the car is lowered ... I'm not sure if the back got aligned ... also I'm new to this so sorry if I'm asking a bunch of questions or not posting the info needed ... anyways yes the car is dropped ... at times when I'm driving I get a grinding noise .. ( bearing ?) but when the car starts to sway happens at anytime I could be driving in a straight line and it'll start it almost like if I don't have any control of where the car want to go at that speed and starts to sway when I try and correct it ..

[Sharp64]

Sounds like you may need to use some caster shims.

http://www.mooreparts.com/caster-shim-for-vw-bug-g...gQodGOcNpQ

Do a search here for the terms and see if the description of the symptoms matches.
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1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
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[andk5591]

How much lowered makes a difference - If the rear is really dropped, you could be killing your rear bearings due to lack of oil. Post a pic.

And I am assuming that you had a shop do the alignment. Get a couple pieces of wood or something and 2 tape measures. If radial tires, get the wood above the tire bulge and measure the width just in front and behind the tires - both front and rear tires. Your fronts should be narrower by about 1/8" or so in front of the tires than the rear of the tires. The rears should be almost exactly the oposite (wider in front of the tires)

I have had a couple "pro" shops do them wrong.. The car will feel like you are driving on ice if this is out.

And I think it was already suggested to check the link pins - Jack up the car in front and grab a wheel - see if you can make it wiggle. Could be worn king pins or link pins, loose link pins, loose or bad wheel bearings, etc.
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Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
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[Frank_!]

So I notice what seems to be Break fluid coming out of my rear wheel could this be my problem ..?

[Helfen]

[Frank_!]

Hey just wanted to say thanks for all your help I figuered out the problem and took care of it it was the leaking wheel I guess the previous owner don't righted the center nut I jacked the car up and was able to move the wheel I notic d it was really loose with about a turn or so it righted right up took it for a spin and problem was solve thanks .. for everything..God Bless ..🙏

[Helfen]

[Frank_!]

Yeah thanks I appreciate it ..🙌