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Wed Apr 23, 2003 10:37 pm

i have a 74 super, its my baby, but anyways when i get up to about 47 the stearing wheel starts to shake bad it stops at abotu 55 and goes away. i am thinking that it is just my busings up front ( i checked my tie rod ends thas not it) what else could i be overlooking

Wed Apr 23, 2003 11:42 pm

Unfortunately alot of parts places will erroneously have you believe that you need to replace the bushings to cure the "Super Shimmies". That is usually NOT the problem. I have two Supers a 73 and a 75 and both have the original bushings in them. I did have the shaking/shimmy problem with the 73. Check to make sure it has the proper tire pressure up front. I know the sticker in the glove box says something like 18 psi, but I put about 30 to 32 in mine. Have the front end balanced and aligned. While it is up on the racks have them check out the bushings, tierods etc. If you are running the stock rims -w- hubcaps, you may want to find a set of the "Sport" rims they used on the Sunbug and 1975 and up models. I was told by a tire guy who use to do brake and suspension work on Bugs and Supers, that the stock rims have a tendency to get out of round and become almost egg shaped over time. I guess it is because Supers are heavier in the front. A good tire place can tell you if your rims are out of round. If they are, replace them. Also, check the steering dampner. It is a small shock absorber like part located near the gearbox, at the pitman arm I believe. If you have never replaced it before, do so. They are like 10 bucks and take about 15 minutes to replace.

Good luck, let us know what it turns out to be.

Thu Apr 24, 2003 6:41 am

Bug Boy;

Aircooled is right on. It's almost a given that your problem is one, or a combination of, the following problems:
- tire(s) out of round or out of balance.
- steering dampner.
- out of alignment.
- worn out struts.

None of these things are terribly expensive to fix.

Anything you need to replace to solve the shimmies needs to be replaced anyway. Your front end and your brakes are two things you don't want to gamble on.

JSH

Thu Apr 24, 2003 8:58 am

Here is a link to an old thread, some others and I spelled out some useful info on this subject.
While it is a matter of personal ride preference, like stiffer shocks or what ever, I have found that running the tire pressure in the front much above 20lbs on bugs and supers causes stiff rough ride and has nothing to do with eliminating shakes.

Thu Apr 24, 2003 8:59 am

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forums/super/forum.php?...ld=subject

OOOPS! forgot the link! good luck!

Thu Apr 24, 2003 9:47 am

All of the shops I have taken my car too, Midas, Sears, Tire Factory, have all set the pressure at 32lbs. Anything lower than that and my front end shakes like a leaf.

Thu Apr 24, 2003 10:04 am

IMHO those "chain" tire stores are usually run by bozo's( but there are some good eggs, you just have to get to know which ones), I prefer the independent type places myself.

I think you may have some other front end issues then. I have never heard of that helping to elimnate the shakes but I suppose it is possible to do something by way of compensating for a weak worn component.

( the sway bar bushings are cheap and real easy to change, the ones presssed into the control arms are a bit more work but are often the last thing done due to that fact and the source of the trouble)

Like I said,it's personal preference, if you are happy with the ride and it works for you then that's fine with me!

Your so right about 25- 30 year old rims being bad. It is of the utmost importance that bad rims/tires be eliminated first.

Thu Apr 24, 2003 10:11 am

32psi for the front?? VW recommends 19! And that cured the shakes?

Thu Apr 24, 2003 12:56 pm

Actually Keifernet, "tire factory" is an independent local tire place. They were the most helpful, but reiterated what the other shops had said, "There is nothing wrong with the front end". I was told by all 4 places that my bushings/suspension components looked new and were not in the least bit worn. Even though they were all original. Every time I use the "stock" tire pressure, my cars shake/vibrate and are hard as hell to turn. And the ride quality is rough as well. So I prefer the higher tire pressure. Like I said, check with your local tire place before doing so. In my personal experience, I have never had any problems with the higher pressure. Just better handling and no shakes. I think the 18psi was probably meant more so for the Bias-ply tires and not today's radials.

Thu Apr 24, 2003 1:56 pm

I have a 79 which came with radials and the tire pressures posted on the glove box or door jamb or wherever are still 19 front / 29 rear. I had all the bushings, the struts and one ball joint replaced and the wheels aligned and I got rid of 99% of the shakes, but there is still a tiny 1% shake at around 60. Doesn't bother me any more but I am surprised at how hard it seems to be to get rid of the shakes completely.

Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:22 pm

Well Aircooled_mechanic...,
( by the way got a name/tag?, there are other "aircooled" tags on here and I don't want to get confused)

I apologize if I came off sounding brash earlier, like I said, if it works for you then that's great, I was not deliberatly trying to discredit your post, just sharing information same as you.

More air pressure has not worked for me and it is an interesting phenomenon. I do know the pressures are nearly the same for both radials and bias (is anyone still using those for daily drivers?)

I have no way of knowing that the "tire factory" is independent or not, due to differences in locale I'm sure. But I am glad you have a place that you can deal with with confidence.

How many OG miles are on the original components though? I would still question the integrity of stock OG components with the age they are and anything more than 60K, especially the strut cartridges.

I have rebuilt/repaired hundreds of front ends in the last 20 years and I have seen parts that "looked" ok turn out to be problematic.

nice to have you posting, hope to chat it up with you some more! later K

Thu Apr 24, 2003 3:41 pm

Sorry to come across defensive. There is alot of "attitude" around here and I guess I was just getting caught up in it.

The odometer was broken in the 75 when I bought it. But judging by the engine condition and other things I would put it up around 130 to 140 thousand original miles. The suspension is more than likely original. I have replaced the U-joint and that is it so far. I want to replace the struts as soon as $$$ allows it.
The 73 has about 200,000 or more on the original suspension. I did replace the struts, steering box, dampner and U-joint on that one.
I didn't know they still made bias ply tires. The spare in my 75 is the original from Germany. Not too sure if I would really trust it on the freeway though....

bmax

Thu Apr 24, 2003 8:10 pm

Attitude... hmmmm you must have been reading the rants! LOL! although a touch of that does spill over into the regular forums from time to time.
bmax, shoot me off an email if you will.
later, K

Thu Apr 24, 2003 9:38 pm

I'm no super specialist, but what effect do those aftermarket strut tower braces have on this shimmy symptom?

Fri Apr 25, 2003 1:02 am

Just be careful about being brash. Save it for the rants. I know you did not mean it. Everyone have a great day!

Mon May 05, 2003 6:16 am

There is a tech article on my site dealing with this topic www.superbeetlesonly.com