Raised Rear End..Axles Won't Settle

[voremus]

I raised the rear of my 67 Bug 2" (one turn on outer spline) and reassembled. The axles won't settle. Drove around the block but the wheels are still canted in at the bottom like when the car is jacked up. I re-did it to what it was before and everything is fine. Any ideas would be appreciated. I tried to upload photos but am still trying to figure that part out.

[KTPhil]

That's how a swing axle works.
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[chrisflstf]

You will need to use a combo of inner and outer splines to get what you want

[Bobs67vwagen]

I think what was meant by the previous poster is that you have 2 adjustments to make for each side. For instance you may try 1 spline up on the axle and 2 splines down on the spring plate. It will be trial and error until you find the combination you want. Be advised that lifting a swing axle can get tricky and potentially unsafe if not done correctly.

[KTPhil]

_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[ppilotmike]

you don't say what you are trying to accomplish so it's hard to give any advice. for a good and complete understanding of the rear suspension read the appropriate section in the Bently manual for your car.

[voremus]

Thanks for the input guys. Maybe this will clarify. I know how a swing axle works. I understand the inner and outer splines and how they are adjusted for height. The tech info I have says one cog of the outer spline (clockwise on the driver side and cc on the psgr. side)will raise the height 2". I believe this was accurately done as I checked the position of the gear cog, which attaches to the spring plate, carefully when setting it back to factory position. I did not move the splines on the inner shaft. I'd post some photos but can't figure out how...yet. The question is, "why won't the axles settle to horizontal position. As is, the wheels are canted in dramatically.

[aquifer]

There are splines on the inside of the shaft too, as others have said. What you have to go by is the unladen angle of the spring plates as shown below. You need a cheap digital angle gauge like this. Set it on the door sill to zero it, and then set it on the spring plate while you lift up to take the play out of it. The angle of the torsion tube needs to be level too, or you'll struggle to get the spring plate angles to match from side to side. Speaking from experience.

Then you can adjust the spring plate by using the inner and outer splines according to the specs and chart below. Don't go by ride height, go by the angle of the spring plate. It will seem like ride height should be your goal, but it will not work, as you're seeing.

It's normal for the 67 to squat a little in the rear, and as the specs show, slight negative camber is acceptable for models with the equalizer spring. You might have to try a few times to get comfortable, but then you'll find it pretty easy for the other side.

Edited to add: if you use a degree tool like mine below, find a degree to decimal converter, it will make your life easier. The specs for the equalizer spring option call for 20 degrees 50 minutes, which is 20.8 degrees.

Editing again: the minimum you can change the angle is 0.83 degrees, so you may have to compromise a little, but make sure both sides are as equal as possible.

_________________
Project vehicles:
1967 Beetle #1. Bought in 2024, mostly original, October 1966 build date. Java Green.
1967 Beetle #2. Bought in the mid 80's, restored myself in the late 90's, June 1967 build date. Java Green.
1998 Jaguar XJR. Bought in 2015, rust free AZ car, refurbished myself. Driven in nice weather.

Parts needed:
Original brown rubber floor mats for a '67
Original gazelle seat upholstery for a ‘67

[rcooled]

[ashman40]

[EVfun]

[voremus]

Thank you all so much. I'll re-try it again with the new knowledge but what the heck, if it doesn't work I'll have a new angle gauge and the more I think about it, a little sag isn't all that bad!!

[aquifer]

[RUNKLE]

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