TheSamba.com :: View topic - Front end damage- help!

Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:31 pm

:( My '72 Super Beetle Elanore and I got in an accident. I'm broke as a joke and hoping to put her back together myself but I don't know where to start!
Can anyone please help me? What should I do first? I don't even know the names of all the parts that are ruined, so it's hard to find them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9742503@N07/4067260842/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9742503@N07/4067260500/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9742503@N07/4066511371/in/photostream/

I hope those links work.

Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:59 pm

You're looking at at least the strut assembly, fender, wheel assembly, hub, brakes, hood
who knows what's up with the door jams, heater channels, or anything else that may be structurally related. Is the frame bent?

best bet would be to read through all the forum posts (or at least skim through the ones that may be related to any of the above mentioned items. )
Get a Bentley manual and the 'Idiot's guide to keeping VW on the road" or something of that nature - and read, read read.
Good luck.

Rev.

ps. my condolences on your damage. I feel you're pain.

Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:17 pm

put pics with your thread.. makes it easier for others.. :D

Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:18 am

we want to see a picture of the frame :)

Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:35 pm

Well all i have is a camera phone. From the front my car looks fine. It's just the left side. I'll ad another link to a photo but i don't know how to put them in the post, how do I do that?

Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:38 pm

A friend of mine who is real good with bugs came and took at look at her. Said first thing I need a new strut and wheel, I can just use my spare for now. He said a body shop might be able to get the dent out of the body and that I should probably get a new door, it's pretty well bowed.
Ugh so I'm hoping the super beetle struts I've found on here aren't sold. Cross your fingers!

Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:55 pm

If they're already sold, you can try the SBO (Super Beetle Only) Forums. With the number of guys (and gals) running aftermarket lowered struts, there ought to be a bunch of used ones available for cheap...

http://www.superbeetlesonly.com/forum/index.php

Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:26 pm

I found these new struts online... http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4062
Do you think they're good or should i buy these used ones?http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=756948

Thank you so much, I am so clueless and really don't want to waste my money.

Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:31 pm

elanore72 wrote: I found these new struts online... http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-4062
Do you think they're good or should i buy these used ones?http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=756948

Thank you so much, I am so clueless and really don't want to waste my money.

If you buy the first ones, you're going to need http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC%2DC10%2D4060 to go along with them.

Unless you're looking to lower your car, I'd stick with a set of used stock struts.

Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:34 pm

A set? So should I get them for both sides even though my other side is okay?
Also I am curious how many pieces go to a strut and if I ask to buy a strut are people going to include all of the pieces or do I need to be specific?
Thank you so much for answering so many of my questions!

Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:12 pm

here's what you're looking for, I do believe.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=561152

I bought my transmission from this guy - worked well/ shipping reasonable, etc.
I don't know know about the going rate for the set, but . . . somewhere to start.

terms of NEED both sides? for the struts - I think if you're going stock to stock - just replacing one will be fine.
if you decide to purchase new/aftermarket (lowered?) you will HAVE to do both.
As far as replacing the strut insert (the shock component):
anyway you shake it - you should install new strut inserts on both L and R.
whatever insert will come with your used strut - will never match up well with the undamaged side - they'll be unbalance/uneven.
Here's the financial shake down:
80$ plus shipping for a used pair of struts. (with strut inserts you MIGHT? be able to use, but probably should replace with new strut inserts for 90$)
OR 90$ for a new pair of lowered strut assemblies - and 90$ for a pair of strut inserts.
either way -you're looking at about $180 - just for the strut components.
then you've got drum/ spindle(maybe?) and other braking components that should probably be replaced. new wheel bearings, etc.
Make lists - compare, etc.
Good luck
Rev.

Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:31 pm

Gosh I'm intimidated! Thanks though.

Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:34 am

elanore72 wrote: Gosh I'm intimidated! Thanks though.

BLEH!!! Don't let that intimidate you....one step at a time! That baby of yours will be on the road in no time...promise!!!

Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:41 am

I just came across a beautiful body of a 72 super beetle. No glass, no engine, no decklid. The car is entirely primered and bodyworked and the doors and fenders look great. It has brand new struts and the transmission is good. It's your for $500 - rapid city isn't too far from Denver, rent a tow dolly...

Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:45 pm

oh my goodness, that's so tempting. I really don't have money to drive out to denver though.... gosh, awww.

Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:48 pm

Sorry I don't know the name of it but I am trying to buy the inside part of the strut for both sides. What size are they for my 72 super? I'm looking at airhead parts- there are 71"-73 1/2", 73 1/2"-75 1/2", 75 1/2"-79" ???? I don't know which ones to buy. I'm confused!

Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:49 am

Those aren't sizes, they're model year ranges.

71 to 73 1/2
73 1/2 to 75 1/2
75 1/2 to 79

Since yours is a 72 you'd need the first ones, which will fit 1971 to mid-year 1973 models.

Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:32 pm

Thanks,
Okay one more silly question- how do I know if I have a two bolt or three bolt mounting to spindle? Do I just need to look?

Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:31 pm

Yup, it'll be obvious.

Early:

Late: