Equalizer spring (Z bar) - need a second opinion

srandol

I am working on a 1967 Ghia; I went to get new rubber pieces for the equalizer spring (Z bar). The guy at the parts place said just to take it off and throw it away - it is hard to find parts and it never really worked anyway.

I have found a kit with what I need at Wolfsburg West, but am wondering if I should just follow the advice of the parts guy. If it really serves no function, I could do without it, but it seems odd to me that there would be superfluous parts.

What do you think, toss it or keep it?
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1967 and 1969 Karmann Ghia Coupes

c21darrel · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 10:36 am Post subject:

Id question the parts guys knowledge. Ive read on STF about the z-bar and its can be better than a empi camber compensater. To get max out of it shim it a a bit to make it kick in sooner. Im sure more here will chime in and you can search ask over on the other forum, STF.
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=138800

vwcomet · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 2:59 pm Post subject:

I also have a 1967 and I kept the z-bar. I installed all new bushings and snubbers. I replaced the front sway bar with a thicker Swayaway unit and the car handles great, even with stock, skinny tires. I don't know if this is due to the beefier sway bar or the z-bar, but it works.

pabloghia · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 9:38 pm Post subject:

The guys (or gals) who designed these cars were some of the best engineers on the planet.
They seemed to think it important enough to include in this model even though it would add to the cost of manufacturing. I would side with the German designers than some parts guy at your neighborhood Pep Boys.
Keep the Z-bar..besides it sounds cool...ZeeeBarrr!
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67 Ghia Cabriolet

jjjjjoey · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 11:47 pm Post subject:

Can someone post a pic of that a complete Z bar looks like; I mean with the rubber on, and bolted up. Mine just seem to BE there and looks like it could fall off.
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67 Ghia n00b

kingkarmann · Samba Member Joined: November 05, 2003 Posts: 4114

Found this.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Hope it helps Cool

_________________
"Depression is a malfunction of the instrument we use to determine reality.”

Mike Gerson

What is your "Bespoke Reality"?

RanX0R0X · Samba Member Joined: December 22, 2008 Posts: 203

I have a '68 and have done a lot of work with it the past few years and had contemplated keeping or leaving the z-bar.

From what I've read, it is not a camber compensator and was not designed to work in that regard. It is unrelated.

With the longer axles of '67 and '68 a natural problem of physics arose. The benefit of the longer axles is that they prevented jacking and concomitant wheel tuck. The axles are longer and inefficient levers (third class?). That means much more force is required to lift the transmission to a staggering height before the wheels actually tuck.

But that creates a problem. Heavy weight in the middle of the car is going to meet less resistance and cause the car to sag. So if you get a couple of 220Lb (100kg) football players in the back seat the tranny is going toward the ground. The z-bar is there to soak up that load and spread the weight out to the frame.

I'm not an expert on the subject so likely have some of the details in that wrong and will redact and edit as more expert advice comes in.

But I think its best not to mix one's cambers with one's zees.

glutamodo · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:01 pm Post subject:

and then there's the old classic VW diagrams

srandol · Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 3:01 pm Post subject:

Anyone know where to get a replacement for the protective cap?
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1967 and 1969 Karmann Ghia Coupes

Bug53 · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:39 pm Post subject:

kingkarmann · Samba Member Joined: November 05, 2003 Posts: 4114

The post & thread is nearly nine years old. But if anyone is still needing Z-bar parts to rebuild theirs....
Still no caps.
https://www2.cip1.com/searchresults.asp?Search=z-bar
_________________
"Depression is a malfunction of the instrument we use to determine reality.”

Mike Gerson

What is your "Bespoke Reality"?

smuenchrath

Airhead Parts also sells the bushing kit:

https://airheadparts.com/?s=z-bar&post_type=product
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68 Ghia Regatta Blue Convertible
69 Ghia Toga White Coupe
74 Westfalia

kingkarmann · Samba Member Joined: November 05, 2003 Posts: 4114

No one carries the top caps.
I Plastidipped my original spider cracked ones. I wasn’t to worried about how they might look as the only way to view them is with the wheels off or attempt to shimmy under.
Anyhow, they are still staying together and keeping the dust out.
_________________
"Depression is a malfunction of the instrument we use to determine reality.”

Mike Gerson

What is your "Bespoke Reality"?


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