Volkswagen New Beetle. Manual - part 172

 

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Volkswagen New Beetle. Manual - part 172

 

 

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Vehicle must be on level floor with full fuel tank, no passenger load, spare tire in place and no load in 
trunk. Bounce front and rear end of vehicle several times. Confirm vehicle is at normal riding height.  

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Steering wheel must be centered with wheels in straight ahead position. If required, shorten one tie rod 
adjusting sleeve and lengthen opposite sleeve (equal amount of turns). See Fig. 2 .  

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Wheel bearings should have the correct preload and lug nuts must be tightened to manufacturer's 
specifications. Adjust camber, caster and toe-in using this sequence. Follow instructions of the alignment 
equipment manufacturer.  

Fig. 2: Adjusting Tie Rod Sleeves (Top View) 

CAMBER 

1. Camber is the tilting of the wheel, outward at either top or bottom, as viewed from front of vehicle. See 

Fig. 3 .  

2. When wheels tilts outward at the top (from centerline of vehicle), camber is positive. When wheels tilt 

inward at top, camber is negative. Amount of tilt is measured in degrees from vertical.  

CAUTION: DO NOT attempt to correct alignment by straightening parts. Damaged 

parts MUST be replaced. 

 

1998 Chevrolet Pickup C1500 

GENERAL INFORMATION Wheel Alignment Theory & Operation

  

Fig. 3: Determining Camber Angle 

CASTER 

1. Caster is tilting of front steering axis either forward or backward from vertical, as viewed from side of 

vehicle. See Fig. 4 .  

2. When axis is tilted backward from vertical, caster is positive. This creates a trailing action on front 

wheels. When axis is tilted forward, caster is negative, causing a leading action on front wheels. 

 

1998 Chevrolet Pickup C1500 

GENERAL INFORMATION Wheel Alignment Theory & Operation

  

Fig. 4: Determining Caster Angle 

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT 

Toe-in is the width measured at the rear of the tires subtracted by the width measured at the front of the tires at 
about spindle height. A positive figure would indicate toe-in and a negative figure would indicate toe-out. If the 
distance between the front and rear of the tires is the same, toe measurement would be zero. To adjust:  

1) Measure toe-in with front wheels in straight ahead position and steering wheel centered. To adjust toe-in, 
loosen clamps and turn adjusting sleeve or adjustable end on right and left tie rods. See Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 .  

2) Turn equally and in opposite directions to maintain steering wheel in centered position. Face of tie rod end 
must be parallel with machined surface of steering rod end to prevent binding.  

3) When tightening clamps, make certain that clamp bolts are positioned so there will be no interference with 
other parts throughout the entire travel of linkage. 

 

1998 Chevrolet Pickup C1500 

GENERAL INFORMATION Wheel Alignment Theory & Operation

  

Fig. 5: Wheel Toe-In (Dimension A Less Dimension B) 

TOE-OUT ON TURNS 

1. Toe-out on turns (turning radius) is a check for bent or damaged parts, and not a service adjustment. With 

caster, camber, and toe-in properly adjusted, check toe-out with weight of vehicle on wheels.  

2. Use a full floating turntable under each wheel, repeating test with each wheel positioned for right and left 

turns. Incorrect toe-out generally indicates a bent steering arm. Replace arm, if necessary, and recheck 
wheel alignment.  

STEERING AXIS INCLINATION 

1. Steering axis inclination is a check for bent or damaged parts, and not a service adjustment. Vehicle must 

be level and camber should be properly adjusted. See Fig. 6 .  

2. If camber cannot be brought within limits and steering axis inclination is correct, steering knuckle is bent. 

If camber and steering axis inclination are both incorrect by approximately the same amount, the upper 
and lower control arms are bent.  

 

1998 Chevrolet Pickup C1500 

GENERAL INFORMATION Wheel Alignment Theory & Operation

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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