No way to adjust "caster"?

[jimpascale]

Hello Gang,
I just bought my wife new tires for her '05NB1.8T - Michelin Primacy MXM4 -we'll see how they work out.
Anyway, I decided to have the front end aligned, so the new tires would wear well. The technician adjusted the front end but said the "caster" on a NB cannot be adjusted. He said the "toe" adjustment was most important anyway. He said the inability to adjust "caster" is not unique to the NB.
He gave me a print out that showed the "caster" specified range as 7.2 to 8.2 & the caster on my wife's NB was at 7.0, which he said was not too bad.
I'm way out of my league here. Is it true you cannot adjust "caster" on a NB? Is 7.0 not too bad?
Thanks guys.
Jim in New Jersey

[IndyTom]

Well, there is a way to adjust caster settings but you will need special bushings.

Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Suspension > Bushings > ES#514165 Whiteline Caster Adjustment Kit - KCA351

However if your caster adjustment is off that usually means that your lower control arm bushings are worn out and need to be replaced.

I would replace them with some Heavy Duty Solid TT bushings. The only drawback is that you will need another alignment once you replace the bushings.

Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Search > Control Arm Bushings > ES#7260 ECS Heavy Duty/OE Control Arm Bushing Set - 1J0498002

[jimpascale]

Hello Tom, long time "no speak". As is customary, you've come to my rescue - ty very much.
So Tom, I'll need both the heavy duty control arm bushings and the Whiteline Caster Adjustment Kit, so when I bring the car back in for re-alignment caster can be adjusted, right?
Is it easy to replace control arm bushings? Um, can I do this? I mean changing the oil & filter was so yesterday -it's time to move up, if you think a rank amateur can do this....
Thanks.
Jim in New Jersey

[silverliquid1013]

Originally Posted by jimpascale

Hello Tom, long time "no speak". As is customary, you've come to my rescue - ty very much.
So Tom, I'll need both the heavy duty control arm bushings and the Whiteline Caster Adjustment Kit, so when I bring the car back in for re-alignment caster can be adjusted, right?
Is it easy to replace control arm bushings? Um, can I do this? I mean changing the oil & filter was so yesterday -it's time to move up, if you think a rank amateur can do this....
Thanks.
Jim in New Jersey

I'm pretty sure you'll need to have the new bushings pressed in. Last time I changed the bushings on my WRX I had to have this done.

-P

[jimpascale]

You mean I have to go to a VW dealer to have this done?
AARGH!!!

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by jimpascale

Hello Tom, long time "no speak". As is customary, you've come to my rescue - ty very much.
So Tom, I'll need both the heavy duty control arm bushings and the Whiteline Caster Adjustment Kit, so when I bring the car back in for re-alignment caster can be adjusted, right?
Is it easy to replace control arm bushings? Um, can I do this? I mean changing the oil & filter was so yesterday -it's time to move up, if you think a rank amateur can do this....
Thanks.
Jim in New Jersey

Hey Jim, No, you don't need both. To be honest I would stay away from the Whiteline Caster Adjustment kit. It really isn't necessary unless you want to lower your beetle.
I do suggest the TT Heavy duty bushings. They will tighten up your front end a bit and improve handling. The Stock beetle bushings have holes and a slit in them for some stupid reason the TT bushings are a lot better. You don't have to go to the dealer to have the bushings pressed in. Any machine shop can do it for you or a lot of people have done it with a large vice and a block of wood. Getting the old bushing out will be more of a problem than putting the new bushing in. Another option is to just buy new control arms that already have the Better bushings installed.
I have to look up the link for that but I think a pair of new control arms with the heavy duty TT bushings is $179 vs. 31 bucks and some change for just the bushings. Of course it would be a lot less hassle to just swap out the new control arms rather than trying to get the bushings out and then the new ones in.

[jimpascale]

Well, with the cost of labor, new control arms with the heavy duty bushings sounds like the way to go.
I didn't notice control arms with "heavy duty" bushings on the ECS website - am I just missing it?
Jim

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by jimpascale

Well, with the cost of labor, new control arms with the heavy duty bushings sounds like the way to go.
I didn't notice control arms with "heavy duty" bushings on the ECS website - am I just missing it?
Jim

The only place I have seen them is here:

MJM Autohaus

Here is a DIY for lower control arm replacement. It's from a TDI forum but it is the same procedure for any Beetle or MK IV for that matter.
http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/a...hing-Jetta.htm

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=154137

[jimpascale]

Thanks Tom. Wish me luck.
Regards,
Jim in NJ

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by jimpascale

Thanks Tom. Wish me luck.
Regards,
Jim in NJ

Good Luck

[jimpascale]

Thanks Tom. One final question, please:
Is this project worth all the effort? The car doesn't show any signs of poor driving at all. I just had the front end adjusted because I bought new tires. Just how bad is a "caster" rating of 7.0 in a specified range of 7.2 to 8.2? Is it even possible that the alignment analysis is off? In other words,am I over-reacting?

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by jimpascale

Thanks Tom. One final question, please:
Is this project worth all the effort? The car doesn't show any signs of poor driving at all. I just had the front end adjusted because I bought new tires. Just how bad is a "caster" rating of 7.0 in a specified range of 7.2 to 8.2? Is it even possible that the alignment analysis is off? In other words,am I over-reacting?

Not sure what those numbers mean to be honest. However if your rear lower control arm bushings are shot it will put more wear and tear on the front end. What year is your beetle?
You could check them yourself to make sure they are in okay shape. Just jack up one side at a time and turn the wheel to the right to look at the drivers side LCA bushing then jack up the passenger side and turn the wheel all the way to the left to look at your passenger side LCA bushing. They are the large Doughnut shape bushings with a metal center ring and a rubber bushings with a slit and two holes. My Passenger side bushing is still in okay shape but my drivers side bushing is totally toast and is hanging litterally by a thread. If they are the original bushings and your car is between 7-10 years old the chances are you will need new LCA bushings.

[jimpascale]

Thanks Tom. Our beetle is an '05, with 31,500 miles -she's pretty pampered.
I will follow your excellent advice & check the LCA's myself.
I'll report back in if I need to change them & will definitely purchase the HD versions you noted in an earlier post.
Thanks again.
Jim in NJ
PS
I love this place.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by jimpascale

Thanks Tom. Our beetle is an '05, with 31,500 miles -she's pretty pampered.
I will follow your excellent advice & check the LCA's myself.
I'll report back in if I need to change them & will definitely purchase the HD versions you noted in an earlier post.
Thanks again.
Jim in NJ
PS
I love this place.

WOW, that is pretty low miles on that 05 You may not need new bushings at this time. But it wouldn't hurt to check just to be sure.