Rear wheels issue
 

It has come to that time for me to replace rear wheel bearing and such
while I'm at it, in which I need to bring up this question of "what"
to look for:

I have a 72 SB convertible. If you look at the rear wheels instead of
being nice and vertically straight or slightly inwards... mine are
leaning outwards. Not a "slightly"...more like a step or two beyond.
(if that makes any sense)
What is doing this? How do I adjust/fix it?
Trailing arms messed up.... maybe?
Any suggestions are welcome.


Narley Dude®

Narley Dude® wrote:
> It has come to that time for me to replace rear wheel bearing and such
> while I'm at it, in which I need to bring up this question of "what"
> to look for:
>
> I have a 72 SB convertible. If you look at the rear wheels instead of
> being nice and vertically straight or slightly inwards... mine are
> leaning outwards. Not a "slightly"...more like a step or two beyond.
> (if that makes any sense)
> What is doing this? How do I adjust/fix it?
> Trailing arms messed up.... maybe?
> Any suggestions are welcome.
>
>
> Narley Dude®

Old IRS Beetles with many miles show this. If there's no
sign of severe accident damage, then the spring plate/torsion bars
have to be reset.

On the bearings, see the how-to article in the Mech section
of my web site.

Speedy Jim
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/

On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 12:04:54 -0500, Speedy Jim > wrote:

>Narley Dude® wrote:
>> It has come to that time for me to replace rear wheel bearing and such
>> while I'm at it, in which I need to bring up this question of "what"
>> to look for:
>>
>> I have a 72 SB convertible. If you look at the rear wheels instead of
>> being nice and vertically straight or slightly inwards... mine are
>> leaning outwards. Not a "slightly"...more like a step or two beyond.
>> (if that makes any sense)
>> What is doing this? How do I adjust/fix it?
>> Trailing arms messed up.... maybe?
>> Any suggestions are welcome.
>>
>>
>> Narley Dude®
>
>Old IRS Beetles with many miles show this. If there's no
>sign of severe accident damage, then the spring plate/torsion bars
>have to be reset.
>
>On the bearings, see the how-to article in the Mech section
>of my web site.
>
>Speedy Jim
>http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/

Thanks Jim.
That was the direction I was thinking. Do you have an article that
shows reference to rear spring plate/torsion bars. I'm getting an
occasional "clunk clunk clunk" when making a sharp turn but goes away
in few seconds when driving straight. I'm sure it has to do also with
your diagnosis.



Narley Dude®

Narley Dude® wrote:

> On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 12:04:54 -0500, Speedy Jim > wrote:
>
>
>>Narley Dude® wrote:
>>
>>>It has come to that time for me to replace rear wheel bearing and such
>>>while I'm at it, in which I need to bring up this question of "what"
>>>to look for:
>>>
>>>I have a 72 SB convertible. If you look at the rear wheels instead of
>>>being nice and vertically straight or slightly inwards... mine are
>>>leaning outwards. Not a "slightly"...more like a step or two beyond.
>>>(if that makes any sense)
>>>What is doing this? How do I adjust/fix it?
>>>Trailing arms messed up.... maybe?
>>>Any suggestions are welcome.
>>>
>>>
>>>Narley Dude®
>>
>>Old IRS Beetles with many miles show this. If there's no
>>sign of severe accident damage, then the spring plate/torsion bars
>>have to be reset.
>>
>>On the bearings, see the how-to article in the Mech section
>>of my web site.
>>
>>Speedy Jim
>>http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/
>
>
> Thanks Jim.
> That was the direction I was thinking. Do you have an article that
> shows reference to rear spring plate/torsion bars. I'm getting an
> occasional "clunk clunk clunk" when making a sharp turn but goes away
> in few seconds when driving straight. I'm sure it has to do also with
> your diagnosis.
>
>
>
> Narley Dude®

Hmmmmmmmm The bearings don't usually "clunk, clunk",
though I wouldn't totally rule it out. And the noise
wouldn't be from the camber situation either.

It's a lot of work just to change bearings so I'd want to
be fairly certain. You might get some idea of the condition
by jacking the rear wheels off the ground (jack stands) and
running it in gear. Use a stethoscope (aka screwdriver)
to listen at the bearing housings. A bad bearing will "rumble".

Sorry, I don't have an article about setting torsion bars.
I bet someone else on here does...

Speedy Jim
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/

"Speedy Jim" > wrote in message
...
>
> Hmmmmmmmm The bearings don't usually "clunk, clunk",
> though I wouldn't totally rule it out. And the noise
> wouldn't be from the camber situation either.
>
>



...............CV joints?

On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 15:14:26 -0500, "Tim Rogers" >
wrote:

>"Speedy Jim" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> Hmmmmmmmm The bearings don't usually "clunk, clunk",
>> though I wouldn't totally rule it out. And the noise
>> wouldn't be from the camber situation either.
>>
>>
>
>
>
>..............CV joints?
>

I was told the very same thing Tim. I guess I won't find out until I
tear into it.

Narley Dude®

> Narley Dude® wrote:

>>> Narley Dude® wrote:

>>>>
>>>> I have a 72 SB convertible. If you look at the rear wheels instead of
>>>> being nice and vertically straight or slightly inwards... mine are
>>>> leaning outwards.
<SNIP>

I should have added that the bushings which support the
trailing arms are top suspects in camber problems.
Jim

Well I recently had the same problem on my '69 Bug. I replaced the rear
wheel bearings on both sides, as well as all 4 spring plate bushings
(also reset my spring plates). This brought my ride back up, but my
wheels stayed at a slight angle (outwards...they were really bad, now
not so noticeable). I wish that I had gone ahead and pulled the trailing
arms while I had it apart so I could have the trailing arm bushings
replaced. This probably would have fixed all of the wheel angle.

The clunky noise is very likely either you CV joints, or if your
trailing arm bushings are totally shot, then the trailing arm will knock
around a bit making said noise over bumps. If you have it all torn apart
doing the bushings and bearings, you may as well at re-do your CVs (I
know, the more you do, the more $$$ it costs).

Good luck!

Dane Tyler
'69 Bug
'63 Bug

Narley Dude® wrote:
> It has come to that time for me to replace rear wheel bearing and such
> while I'm at it, in which I need to bring up this question of "what"
> to look for:
>
> I have a 72 SB convertible. If you look at the rear wheels instead of
> being nice and vertically straight or slightly inwards... mine are
> leaning outwards. Not a "slightly"...more like a step or two beyond.
> (if that makes any sense)
> What is doing this? How do I adjust/fix it?
> Trailing arms messed up.... maybe?
> Any suggestions are welcome.
>
>
> Narley Dude®

Oooh, re-read your post and saw "sharp turn" and noise.....99% chance
your CV's are worn...



Dane Tyler wrote:
> Well I recently had the same problem on my '69 Bug. I replaced the rear
> wheel bearings on both sides, as well as all 4 spring plate bushings
> (also reset my spring plates). This brought my ride back up, but my
> wheels stayed at a slight angle (outwards...they were really bad, now
> not so noticeable). I wish that I had gone ahead and pulled the trailing
> arms while I had it apart so I could have the trailing arm bushings
> replaced. This probably would have fixed all of the wheel angle.
>
> The clunky noise is very likely either you CV joints, or if your
> trailing arm bushings are totally shot, then the trailing arm will knock
> around a bit making said noise over bumps. If you have it all torn apart
> doing the bushings and bearings, you may as well at re-do your CVs (I
> know, the more you do, the more $$$ it costs).
>
> Good luck!
>
> Dane Tyler
> '69 Bug
> '63 Bug
>
> Narley Dude® wrote:
>
>> It has come to that time for me to replace rear wheel bearing and such
>> while I'm at it, in which I need to bring up this question of "what"
>> to look for:
>>
>> I have a 72 SB convertible. If you look at the rear wheels instead of
>> being nice and vertically straight or slightly inwards... mine are
>> leaning outwards. Not a "slightly"...more like a step or two beyond.
>> (if that makes any sense) What is doing this? How do I adjust/fix it?
>> Trailing arms messed up.... maybe? Any suggestions are welcome.
>>
>>
>> Narley Dude®
>
>

On Thu, 11 Nov 2004 19:46:39 -0500, Dane Tyler
> wrote:

>Oooh, re-read your post and saw "sharp turn" and noise.....99% chance
>your CV's are worn...
>
>
>
>Dane Tyler wrote:
>> Well I recently had the same problem on my '69 Bug. I replaced the rear
>> wheel bearings on both sides, as well as all 4 spring plate bushings
>> (also reset my spring plates). This brought my ride back up, but my
>> wheels stayed at a slight angle (outwards...they were really bad, now
>> not so noticeable). I wish that I had gone ahead and pulled the trailing
>> arms while I had it apart so I could have the trailing arm bushings
>> replaced. This probably would have fixed all of the wheel angle.
>>
>> The clunky noise is very likely either you CV joints, or if your
>> trailing arm bushings are totally shot, then the trailing arm will knock
>> around a bit making said noise over bumps. If you have it all torn apart
>> doing the bushings and bearings, you may as well at re-do your CVs (I
>> know, the more you do, the more $$$ it costs).
>>
>> Good luck!
>>
>> Dane Tyler
>> '69 Bug
>> '63 Bug
>>
Yeah I agree with you. It would be foolish to tear it all down to
skimp out of a few parts to save a few bucks at first, to later then
having to tear the 'mother' back apar and replace the items I didn't.
I'm pricing:

(4) CV joint kits iinner/outer
pair torsion bars w/bushings
trailing arm bushings
wheels bearings
might as well replace brake pads and turn the drums

I may have to car pool with my wife for a bit... but it will be worth
it.




Narley Dude®