King Pin Shim, for King Pin Repair Kit, Sold Each

OVERVIEW

Precision is the cornerstone of a properly handling vintage Volkswagen, and when it comes to the early king pin front ends, the smallest tolerances make the biggest difference in road feel. This King Pin Shim is an essential component for any master technician or dedicated hobbyist performing a front-end rebuild on a pre-1965 Beetle or Karmann Ghia. Designed to sit between the steering knuckle and the spindle, this shim acts as the critical spacer that dictates the vertical play of your spindle assembly. Over years of operation, original shims wear thin or become scarred, leading to excessive lateral movement that translates into "death wobble," vague steering response, and uneven tire wear. By replacing these shims during your king pin service, you are ensuring that your steering geometry remains tight, predictable, and faithful to the original German engineering standards that made these vehicles legendary.

At Appletree Automotive, we understand that "off-the-shelf" doesn''t always mean "ready-to-wear" in the world of air-cooled restoration. These king pin shims are manufactured to provide a robust starting point for a perfect fit. Because every steering knuckle and spindle has seen different levels of wear over the last sixty-plus years, these shims are specifically designed to be "fit-to-clearance." This means that while they provide the necessary thickness to take up slack, a professional installation typically requires fine-tuning and sanding to achieve the exact tolerance required for smooth rotation without binding. Using these high-quality steel shims as part of your king pin repair kit (A6000) allows you to dial in your front end to a degree of perfection that simply isn''t possible with worn-out or generic hardware. Whether you are restoring a showroom-quality 1954 Oval Window or building a rugged weekend sand rail, these shims are the unsung heroes of a stable front suspension.

FITMENT

This King Pin Shim is designed for the following air-cooled Volkswagen models equipped with original or OE-style king pin front beams:

• VW Beetle (Standard): 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964.
• VW Karmann Ghia: 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964.
• Custom Applications: Fits most Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, and Trikes utilizing a 1949-1964 Volkswagen King Pin front torsion beam.

SPECS

• Part Number: A6000
• Material: High-tensile stamped hardened steel for maximum durability and wear resistance.
• Application: Internal spacer for steering knuckle-to-spindle assembly.
• Inside Diameter: Precision bored to fit standard VW King Pins.
• Fitment Type: Requires manual fitting/sanding for exact tolerance adjustment.
• Quantity: Sold individually (Each). Note: Multiple shims may be required per side depending on your specific clearance needs.
• Finish: Raw steel (Must be lubricated during assembly to prevent corrosion).

PRO TIPS

Achieving the Perfect "Drag"

When installing these shims, the goal is to eliminate all vertical play while still allowing the spindle to pivot freely. We recommend using a piece of 400-grit sandpaper placed on a perfectly flat surface, such as a thick sheet of glass or a machinist''s plate. Sand the shim in a figure-eight motion, checking the fit frequently. You are looking for a fit where the spindle can be moved by hand with a slight, smooth resistancereferred to as "drag"but does not fall under its own weight or require a hammer to move. Never force a shim that is too thick, as this will lead to accelerated wear on the king pin bushings and heavy steering.

The Importance of Clean Knuckle Faces

Before you even think about sliding the new shim into place, take a close look at the mating surfaces of your steering knuckle and spindle. Years of grit and old grease can cause pitting or "mushrooming" on the faces where the shim sits. Use a fine file or a stone to ensure these surfaces are perfectly flat and burr-free. If the knuckle face is uneven, the shim will not sit square, which can lead to a binding sensation in the steering wheel even if your clearances seem correct on paper. A clean surface ensures the shim can do its job effectively across its entire surface area.

Lubrication is Your Best Friend

During the final assembly of the king pin and shims, don''t be shy with the grease. We highly recommend using a high-quality Moly-Disulfide or Lithium-based grease. Coat both sides of the shim thoroughly before sliding it into the knuckle. Once the king pin is pressed in and the assembly is complete, use a grease gun to pump the assembly until you see fresh grease purging from the edges of the shim. This "hydrostatic" seal not only lubricates the moving parts but also creates a barrier that keeps water and road grime from entering the assembly and destroying your hard work.