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Split Window Rear Camber

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:02 pm
by patayres
Recently set the rear torsion bars on the '65 Singlecab & am now experiencing what seems like excessive camber. The Bentley calls for 20* spring plate angle (where I set it) & 5* camber (don't have a camber measuring tool). I realize these vehicles are supposed to have some positive camber when empty, but this seems like more than I've seen on other split windows. One other caveat - the s.cab is running BFG K/O AT 215/95/15 meat & I'm definitely seeing the outer tread scrub more than the inner.

OK on to the pics

Rear sag before adjustment.
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Nice & level post-adjustment
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New (excessive?) positive camber
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Interested in hearing what you guys think. Really satisfied with the way the adjustment leveled the bus out & think the meaty tires might accentuate the camber. Tempted to lower the spring plate one spline each way but it's currently set where the factory put it.

Re: Split Window Rear Camber

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 12:08 am
by Amskeptic
patayres wrote:Recently set the rear torsion bars on the '65 Singlecab & am now experiencing what seems like excessive camber.
Your rear axle camber is not adjustable. It is strictly a function of the suspension height. Every rear engined VW fresh from the factory has the front higher than the rear when unladen so that two people sitting in the front will level the fore and aft.

Your unladen rear axle looks a bit high. With swing axles, you truly truly want the rear end to be as low as possible to help prevent rear axle tuck under when cornering. Usually a load will help you out, but if you are driving it empty, be careful to never slow down too dramatically mid-corner.
Colin

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 8:36 am
by patayres
Thanks, Colin... I'll take the spring plate down one vernier adjustment & post the results. Must say this job is quite a bit easier on the '65 -- not that I'm looking forward to doing it again :geek:

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:47 am
by airkooledchris
you probably already tried this, but you rolled it back and forth a little or drove it around a bit after making the change right?

I know with the beetle when I adjusted the rear spring plates I had to roll it around back and forth a bit before it settled into it's new position completely.

if you already knew that or drove it a bit before the 'after' picture then nevermind, just throw some sand bags in the back and your done.

freakin sweet SC by the way, it looks hungry for action with those BFG's....

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:50 am
by Sylvester
More pictures, that sure is a sweet lookin SC!

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 11:06 am
by Amskeptic
airkooledchris wrote:you probably already tried this, but you rolled it back and forth a little or drove it around a bit after making the change right?
Good point!
:cyclopsani:

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 12:31 pm
by patayres
but you rolled it back and forth a little or drove it around a bit after making the change right?
Yeah, I've been driving around with this camber for a few weeks now (it's not my daily driver)... but it was REALLY bad when I first let it down off the jacks!
More pictures, that sure is a sweet lookin SC!
Putting it to use. Took this load of Juniper cuttings to the landfill & brought home about 800 lbs of mulch.
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Exploring the Deschutes National Forest
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It was originally L345 Light Grey & will be again some day... spent it's life on a farm in Alfalfa, OR hauling rocks, hay, etc. The bed & gates show it's previous life, but I think it just adds character. Not going to restore it to new (it will continue to work) but will do a little bodywork and respray back to L345 rather than two-tone primer. It's extremely dry. I have welded in new floor below the gas tank (PO thought it would be a good idea to punch drain holes into the bed - now welded up) and the battery tray; still need to put in a new front passenger floor section. Great fun and extremely useful (1 ton payload and dropgates!).