I love your channel, lots of good info. So I’m not an expert, but I do know grade 8.8 refers to tensile strength, not sheer strength. 10.9 being harder and more brittle, I would stick with factory spec on the beam. As driven, the beam bolts are going to experience sheer force from the weight of the car, not a tensile force, or pulling force. I would think with the weight of the car, a little flex in those bolts would be needed. We know that factory spec are adequate, so that’s what I would go with.
Yeah I absolutely agree. Never heard of anyone's beam dropping off so those old vw bolts have sufficed for over half a century! Re. tensile, I get mixed up with my words sorry, if only you knew how many takes I often do! 😅 was surprised when found 2 different grades both from reputable suppliers which is why I mentioned it. Thanks for the kind words and for watching 😊👍
I just ordered a kit. I have a 58 bug with a 2" narrowed/adjustable front beam. Your video describes my problem exactly. I already adjusted my steering box as much as possible and everything is relatively new. I hope this works!
messed around with caster angle on my 53 kingpin bug for quite a while until i got it right ,i found that a shorter shock also helped with front end bounce ,good sound advice in this video !!!!!
You've slammed 53!!! EXCELLENT 😅😅Thanks for the feedback and info. Back on the 70 I used Bugpack Red dampers. I'm not sure if are still available but they worked really well on my bug back then. Thanks Clive 😄👍
@@PeoplesCar the caster shims i used were the thickest i could find the shocks were austin mini ,the car was a oval window in black 1904 cc motor full cage 2 race seats fast and fun back in 1990 still love bugs great no nonsence video good luck in all you do !!!!!
Might be worth checking there aren't some fitted already! They will make steering stiffer when added. Have you recently had ballpoint fitted etc? Also had stiff steering from a cheap steering damper once. 😊👍
I don't think the kit differs for all 'beam' bugs early or late. I think I put a link to some on ebay in the description below the video. I'll check 😊👍
Yeah I did, here they are... UK / EBAY.CO.UK Caster Shims / Long Bolts - ebay.us/A8DqZH Standard Framehead Bolts - ebay.us/E8BeOm USA / EBAY.COM Caster Shims / Long Bolts - ebay.us/y7hAML Caster Shim Kit - ebay.us/Cy2ZeQ Hope that helps, best of luck 😊👍
Would be interesting to know if make much difference when the bug is slammed front and back. I know racers recommend it regardless just for the increased top end stability. Tx for watching 😊👍
8.8 is a good choice, its strong enough but not so hard that it is in any danger of cracking under the vibration and/or shock of hitting potholes of kerbs for instance. You don't want those bolts to shear off! Worse case scenario..... I am trained in screw machine operation and made bolts/fasteners for the automotive industry for a few years to high tolerances, a thou of a mm and the machines were not CNC, manual set, tippy tappy, measure, repeat etc! Pita work.
Daily driver bugs handle best with the front an inch higher than the back as stock VW spec. The cal look , nose down is ok for drag racing on the strip in a straight line Not for roundabouts etc!
Hmm that's not good. Are you sure all the other components are good especially play in the steering box? If your toeing out on the wheels it can cause the car to be skittish too, I know this as had a car incorrectly tracked in the past, made it almost undrivable, was so bad it squeeled in a straight line! LOL. It's quick to check. Maybe I should make a vid......
@@vdub-rc7ll yeah I've heard a few people say the same but have to say I've never actually seen anyone with a pair on there in know of. Sounds like a lot but if it works. Did you need extended extended bolts 😅
I put those on my slammed Ghia back in 1987. Made a big difference!
You knew about them way b4 me then! 😅 Didn't get my first car/bug till 1997!
I love your channel, lots of good info.
So I’m not an expert, but I do know grade 8.8 refers to tensile strength, not sheer strength. 10.9 being harder and more brittle, I would stick with factory spec on the beam. As driven, the beam bolts are going to experience sheer force from the weight of the car, not a tensile force, or pulling force. I would think with the weight of the car, a little flex in those bolts would be needed. We know that factory spec are adequate, so that’s what I would go with.
Yeah I absolutely agree. Never heard of anyone's beam dropping off so those old vw bolts have sufficed for over half a century! Re. tensile, I get mixed up with my words sorry, if only you knew how many takes I often do! 😅 was surprised when found 2 different grades both from reputable suppliers which is why I mentioned it. Thanks for the kind words and for watching 😊👍
I just ordered a kit. I have a 58 bug with a 2" narrowed/adjustable front beam. Your video describes my problem exactly. I already adjusted my steering box as much as possible and everything is relatively new. I hope this works!
Fingers crossed will sort the problem for you, best of luck 😊👍
messed around with caster angle on my 53 kingpin bug for quite a while until i got it right ,i found that a shorter shock also helped with front end bounce ,good sound advice in this video !!!!!
You've slammed 53!!! EXCELLENT 😅😅Thanks for the feedback and info.
Back on the 70 I used Bugpack Red dampers. I'm not sure if are still available but they worked really well on my bug back then. Thanks Clive 😄👍
@@PeoplesCar the caster shims i used were the thickest i could find the shocks were austin mini ,the car was a oval window in black 1904 cc motor full cage 2 race seats fast and fun back in 1990 still love bugs great no nonsence video good luck in all you do !!!!!
@@cliveturner4980 Sounds fun 👍 Thanks for the kind words 🙂
Thanks for the tips. I was wondering what the shims were for. Top explanation and great video 👍
Tx 👍
Hi, I have a KG with 2.5" dropped spindles and beam adjusters. It's not too crazy low but steering is hard. Shoud I put those shims?
Might be worth checking there aren't some fitted already! They will make steering stiffer when added. Have you recently had ballpoint fitted etc? Also had stiff steering from a cheap steering damper once. 😊👍
not sure what kit i need . 75 bug (bolt and shim part numbers?)
I don't think the kit differs for all 'beam' bugs early or late. I think I put a link to some on ebay in the description below the video. I'll check 😊👍
Yeah I did, here they are...
UK / EBAY.CO.UK
Caster Shims / Long Bolts - ebay.us/A8DqZH
Standard Framehead Bolts - ebay.us/E8BeOm
USA / EBAY.COM
Caster Shims / Long Bolts - ebay.us/y7hAML
Caster Shim Kit - ebay.us/Cy2ZeQ
Hope that helps, best of luck 😊👍
Wow that’s what I need mine is slammed . Lol thanks
Would be interesting to know if make much difference when the bug is slammed front and back. I know racers recommend it regardless just for the increased top end stability. Tx for watching 😊👍
Thanks a lot for the info! Cheers!
My pleasure, thanks for watching 😊👍
super helpful, thanks!
My pleasure, thanks for watching 😊👍
8.8 is a good choice, its strong enough but not so hard that it is in any danger of cracking under the vibration and/or shock of hitting potholes of kerbs for instance. You don't want those bolts to shear off!
Worse case scenario.....
I am trained in screw machine operation and made bolts/fasteners for the automotive industry for a few years to high tolerances, a thou of a mm and the machines were not CNC, manual set, tippy tappy, measure, repeat etc! Pita work.
Daily driver bugs handle best with the front an inch higher than the back as stock VW spec. The cal look , nose down is ok for drag racing on the strip in a straight line Not for roundabouts etc!
Wow fantastic info thankyou for taking the time to comment. Thats what i assumed but didnt know for sure👍😊
I put them on and I have not noticed any improvement. It is still very difficult to control on the highway.
Hmm that's not good. Are you sure all the other components are good especially play in the steering box? If your toeing out on the wheels it can cause the car to be skittish too, I know this as had a car incorrectly tracked in the past, made it almost undrivable, was so bad it squeeled in a straight line! LOL.
It's quick to check. Maybe I should make a vid......
I didn't notice an improvement until I doubled them up. Two of them on each side. Once I did that, major improvement!
@@vdub-rc7ll yeah I've heard a few people say the same but have to say I've never actually seen anyone with a pair on there in know of. Sounds like a lot but if it works. Did you need extended extended bolts 😅
I had double stack shims.
I've heard of a few people that have done similar. That's some serious rake you got going on there! 😅👍
@@PeoplesCar super stable 70+ mph
10.9
Interesting. Others have recommended 8.8. Why do you think 10.9 would be preferential? Tx 😊👍
If you leave them stock, you don't need this stuff
That is very true! 😊👍