Couple of Caster Shim Questions

[FL-Frank]

The front suspension of my ‘67 Beetle was totally refurbished 5,000 miles ago including new ball joints, tie rods and ends, steering damper, steering box, anti roll bar, shocks, etc., along with a professional shop alignment. My setup is all stock... parts and ride height. Overall, I’ve been pleased with the way the car steers and turns, however, it still likes to wonder a little at speeds over 65 mph on the highway.

So, after reading several posts on the topic of caster shims, I’ve decided to give them a try to see if they provide more stability at highway speed.

A few questions....using 1 shim per side....

1) will my original lower beam bolts (M12 x 1.5 x 90) work or will I need longer bolts? If longer bolts are required, what length?

2) will I have to reindex the steering box on the beam to achieve proper steering shaft to steering box input shaft alignment? (If yes, what’s the recommended work around for the locate pin on the factory beam?)

3) 36 ft lbs is the torque spec for the beam bolts, correct?
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“Tinker Toy” 1967 Savannah Beige Beetle Sedan...........Mostly Original Survivor
“Fritz” 1964 Gulf Blue Karmann Ghia Coupe...Complete Pan-Off Restoration SOLD

[67rustavenger]

I installed caster shims in my 67 a few years ago.

Yes you have to re-index the steering box. But doing so will take the tie rods out of alignment. I didn't re-index mine. The car drives fine. The bummer of not doing that . Is the horn wire will not stay on the lug at the steering coupler. And if you do manage to get the wire to stay in place. THe horn will honk when turning.

You'll have to grind off the "pin" on the beam, to re-index the box to beam. Then I suppose a small weld bead on the beam is in order to get the box in the proper alignment with the steering shaft.

I used the stock retaining bolts with one set of shims. If you add two shims. You would need longer bolts.

Consult the service manual for the proper torque of the frame head bolts.
_________________
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!

[FL-Frank]

[67rustavenger]

[TDCTDI]

Remove the steering box clamp, let the steering box find its natural center or move it so that the coupler is as straight as possible, then install the clamp & see how much you need to open up the slots for it to tighten down, remove the clamp & file or grind the least amount necessary for the clamp to tighten down without moving the box.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[FL-Frank]

[TDCTDI]

You can do it from underneath.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[FL-Frank]

So, my plan is to install the caster shims to determine if that causes any obvious misalignment of the steering coupler and/or any horn misbehaviors. . If not, I’ll forego the steering box reindexing procedure in order to avoid modifying the original steering box bracket.
_________________
“Tinker Toy” 1967 Savannah Beige Beetle Sedan...........Mostly Original Survivor
“Fritz” 1964 Gulf Blue Karmann Ghia Coupe...Complete Pan-Off Restoration SOLD

[TDCTDI]

It will cause misalignment of the coupler & cause rapid degradation of an older coupler.


It might also twist the steering shaft downwards enough for it to make contact with the column where it exits through the bulkhead.


Extreme cases can cause the collapsible mesh to fracture. (If your car has it)


ALL of which can be avoided by doing it right & making the minute modification to the clamp.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[FL-Frank]

[FL-Frank]

This afternoon I slipped the shims into place, tightened everything up (including the original beam bolts), eyeballed the steering column/coupler/input shaft to make sure everything was aligned, checked again to make sure the steering is centered, popped the wheels back on, and took it for a quick test drive.

My initial impression is that the steering feels a little heavier than before at 5 mph...which I believe is to be expected. The car tracks straight, and seems a little more stable than it was before at 65 mph. The steering wheel turns smoothly with no binding or interference, and no shenanigans from the horn.

I’m eager to get the 4 wheel alignment done Monday morning to make sure everything is dialed in.
_________________
“Tinker Toy” 1967 Savannah Beige Beetle Sedan...........Mostly Original Survivor
“Fritz” 1964 Gulf Blue Karmann Ghia Coupe...Complete Pan-Off Restoration SOLD

[67rustavenger]

Nice, you'll like the stability when driving in windy conditions.

No more twitchy "shenanigans" when passing trucks and cars that have a heavy wash of air dumping on the front of your little beetle.
_________________
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!

[wimkever]

[FL-Frank]

[MrGoodtunes]

[Max Welton]

[FL-Frank]

I had a 4 wheel alignment done earlier this week, and have driven the car approximately 200 miles since.

$10 in parts and about 30 minutes installation time (plus the alignment cost).

Adding the caster shims is a noticeable improvement. The steering feels a little firmer than before, and the car now feels more sure footed and tracks perfectly straight.

I only wish I would have added the caster shims years ago!
_________________
“Tinker Toy” 1967 Savannah Beige Beetle Sedan...........Mostly Original Survivor
“Fritz” 1964 Gulf Blue Karmann Ghia Coupe...Complete Pan-Off Restoration SOLD

[67rustavenger]

Good to read this.
_________________
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!