Safety/Performance Enhancements: Camber Compensator
This camber compensator is from CB Performance (800 274 8337) and costs $55, item # 2819. It is the original style for all swing-axle VWs and should be ok for all 1962-67 T34s. It installs across both rear axles for improved handling. Here’s what some of our performance-minded members said about it:
Steven Ayres: “The EMPI one clamps on to the sides of the transaxle and straps to the axle tubes. It provides a substantial difference in handling over the stock set-up, keeping the rear end much flatter in the turns. It’s also a safety factor, as it eliminates excess positive camber on the inside wheel on a hard turn. This prevents the wheel-hop when the car comes back down, which could throw the car out of control in extreme situations.”
Tim Dapper: “There are two styles, one that mounts with straps that loop over the transmission mount horns (EMPI style), and one that uses a mounting plate that bolts to the bottom of the transmission using the studs for the transmission side plates to hold the mount on. The first design is an easy installation but the second design is not so good.
The second design has a mounting plate which is a substantial piece of steel with a shallow 'u' cross section. The transmission studs go through slots in the shallow legs of the 'u'. There is in inherent problem in this design, for when retightening the mounting nuts, you are applying torque against the mounting plate rather than the transmission side plates. Because the compensator plate is heavy, it does not flex enough to allow the transmission side plate to have a hard seal, and the transmission will develop leaks. The mounting plate style has a stud in it, that fits through a hole in the compensator spring, with nuts on the stud to hold the spring in place. The springs break at this hole. Unfortunately, this is the most common camber compensator.
There are no disadvantages. Handling is only a marginal issue. Safety under aggressive conditions is the real purpose, for the compensator will help prevent situations where the swing axle can toe under the car and roll it over.”
Everett Barnes: “After the installation, I noticed an immediate difference in cornering, as I could easily increase my speed on city street turns by 10-20 mph. I also noticed that my oil light did not flicker during extreme cornering.”
Editor’s note: The photo shows what a T34 looks like when it has flipped over twice on the freeway in an attempt to avoid a collision at high speeds. A camber compensator may have prevented the roll-over, but maybe not the damage.