suspension question on 72 standard bug

[74superTN]

So my 72 standard bug has a 3'' narrowed and adjustable beam. The problem is that it wants to throw me off the road if I hit a bump around 55mph. It's not horrible but definitely unsafe! Any ideas? I've adjusted my steering box and added some caster shims to the beam so far. The steering damper has resistance when I push and pull on it but it does sound like it's losing fluid when I do it, almost like air is in it.
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73 Thing
80 Vanagon Westy

[nextgen]

Going through exactly the same thing. Took it to collision shop in NY that does work for Classic bugs. My bug is lowered with 2 1/2 " dropped front spindles. 73 standard bug. With 195-50 -15 in the front and 195- 60 -15 rears. It has a 2.0 914 engine, so at the speeds this thing can do is extremely dangerous'

After a short ride the guy said 4 new ball joints, tie rod ends and 2 sets of shims.
I went for the NEW TieRods with the ends. Aircooled.net great stuff.
I go in next week to have it done NYS inspection, Install all the above and wheel alignment $400 for labor, not bad. This guy does work on 30k to 50k bug restorations. So he knos what he is doing.

Will let you know how it worked out. Horrible not being able to run at high speeds.
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[74superTN]

Two sets of shims, meaning 2 on each side or 4 on each side? My shims came 4 to a pack lol
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73 Thing
80 Vanagon Westy

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did you have the front end aligned? What are the #s? Either your toe or caster are off, or maybe bad bump steer.
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[modok]

Both you guys....I'd like to help but you gotta get IN there and see what's going on. If you not going to do it let me talk to the guy who will. You can't think your way to the solution.
My brother was driving himself nuts with a similar case. Something loose.... his truck makes a sound when he turns left. he fussed about it for like two years.
So i take a junk wheel and weld a bar to it. Put that on the truck and i can put a load on the suspension by wiggling this bar and watch what moves.
ball joint was loose in the arm.

So get in there and SEE. What is loose, what is tight??
"I can't tell which part it is"
Take it all apart, put the arms in the beam and see that they fit snug and move free. Add the spindles and ball joints and see how that goes up and down, look and see if there is bump steer and if anything interferes with anything else.
PITA yes, but should have been done to start with.

A new ball joint for a big truck.....you can't just grab that out of the box and move it, because it normally holds tons, so that level of friction is OK......but a VW beetle is on a smaller scale, FAR lighter. 1/5 or even less that the average GIANT vehicles everybody now drives.
The front end is very light, so to work right all the joints need to move freely. The beam has roller bearings because a bushing of that diameter......would have too much friction.
Mechanics may not realize the difference, what is OK for todays vehicles and what is OK for a little beetle.

[gprudenciop]

I also noticed my car all over the road a few weeks a go after stopping for gas. Attendant added air to my front tires without me knowing..also make sure your shocks are super soft becouse with narrowing and sway bar it stiffens up the front and you don't need gas shocks just oil shocks.
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[dirtkeeper]

Check your tire pressure in the front. I think it should be about 22lbs. often it is way higher

[Wreck]