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The wheels you have are called EMPI 8s or EMPI 8 spokes. They are not an original VW wheel, but an aftermarket wheel originally sold by EMPI in the late 60s. Your wheels will not be original 50 year old wheels, but more common contemporary reproductions.What makes you think they don't "seat" properly? Do they not sit flat against the front drum? Wheel spacers is unlikely to be the solution. Besides, they will likely cause the wheel to stick out of the fender.
I would not spend one red cent on any part until I have performed a complete and thorough diagnosis of the entire front end. Take the time and do your analysis and don't take the shotgun approach. Get your Bentley out - Section 8 and go to it. And don't forget the 2 universal joints and the attaching bolts in the steering shaft.
Ok, been meaning to post an update for a couple days and finally have some time. So the front wheels are fine. I think I found what the tech thought was a problem with the back wheels but I'm now kinda thinking it's just the way they are. When you put the rear wheel on, it definitely goes up against the hub nice and flat. However it is not "snug" on the center part of the hub that juts out with the large bolt. It's got space to move around. However as I experimented with putting the lug bolts in and slowly getting them in enough that they were lightly holding the wheel up against the hub but not tightly. I found I could just barely move it at all. Just a wee bit tighter and it no longer allowed jiggling. So I assume this means that the wheel gets centered properly by the tightening of the lug bolts rather than the center hub. I think the tech probably thought it was moving around too much after putting the first lug bolt on or something. Anyone think I have this incorrect, please let me know. So yep, just you guys suggested: not a problem that has anything to do with needing spacers. So I did some driving tests. The car does have a shimmy for sure. When I get over 80km/hr going straight it's ok. But any kind of turning at 80+ even a minor gentle one gets a shimmy in the front end that directly affects the steering wheel in the range of "Bloody Hell!" all the way to "Holy Crap!!". Slowing down and straightening out is the only way to solve it. So it did not take too much time to research and confirm what some of you guys suggested: I'm fairly sure that our little Beetle has the renowned Super Beetle Shimmy. So looks like time to get under there and figure out what parts/connectors are worn and then order some parts. Of course during all this it stopped cranking over when I try to start it so it appears the starter motor wiring needs a little attention first. Battery has lots of power. When the rain stops I'll get her up onto jack stands and start poking around the starter first and get that fixed up and then move the jack stands to the front and start looking at all the steering/bushing components. First time for this for me, should be interesting!-George
There's nothing strange about that, the wheel nuts should have flat sides that fit snugly in matching flat sided holes in the wheels, that's where the centering happens.