Front end suspension rebuild write-up

Joshooalane · Last edited by Joshooalane on Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:45 pm; edited 1 time in total

So from my last post I've decided I'm gonna go ahead and get top lines front end rebuilt kit, the death shake is too much to take.

I'm heading to Colorado next week so it'll have to wait until after my move but I'm gonna take care of it shortly after. I searched for a write up because who doesn't want that when tackling a project!? But I didn't see one so... Should I do one?

I'll of course need advice and info prior to tackling this, but the end product would be worth anyone's help, and it would be great for people like myself who are new to the aircooled world and haven't done this before.

So first who's done this? And what advice do you have and what order did you I in?

Btw if there's already I write up that I missed due to my not so great searching abilities I apologize for plugging up the forum!

Tim Donahoe · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:56 pm Post subject:

Of course. Include pics, too.

State the year and type--regular or super.

Good luck,

Tim

nickfancher1 · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 10:05 pm Post subject:

Sounds awesome to me, my front end is solid right now, but it may not be in the future. I like the threads with tons of pictures, every step taken, but that's just me.
_________________
1970 Beetle

GJ780662a · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 4:27 am Post subject:

I vote yes. This is something I will want to take myself in the coming months, and a good tutorial would be awesome.

talljordan · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 10:00 am Post subject:

If I get any time I might be able to throw something together that we can all add to. I just did this rebuild.
_________________
1972 Super Beetle, ~~Parked until adequate restoration funding is acquired~~ in restoration!

Wanted: Male computer diagnostic plug end

Joshooalane · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 1:26 pm Post subject:

talljordan · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 1:29 pm Post subject:

I replaced everything in one go.
_________________
1972 Super Beetle, ~~Parked until adequate restoration funding is acquired~~ in restoration!

Wanted: Male computer diagnostic plug end

Joshooalane · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 2:02 pm Post subject:

Alright perfect, about how long did it take you? Im gonna do it at a shop on post so I'll have roughly 6 or so hours including cleanup haha.

talljordan · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 2:04 pm Post subject:

Depends if you are doing the steering U joint, and the struts or not. If not you might be able to sneak it in under 6 hours. Also depends on the amount of rust. I spent the whole weekend on it.
_________________
1972 Super Beetle, ~~Parked until adequate restoration funding is acquired~~ in restoration!

Wanted: Male computer diagnostic plug end

vwkirb · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 3:02 pm Post subject:

Do it, thats one thing I regret, not documenting some of the jobs i've done on mine. It helps if you have someone else to take the pictures for you, that way you don't dirty up the camera!

Joshooalane · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:06 pm Post subject:

I actually did the struts and sway bar this last weekend. I installed the superlow kit, so that's all buttoned up. The great thing about the shop is lots of amazing tools!!!! All for me to use! I would have someone else take the pictures but I'll be new there without many friends haha, unless any of you live near Colorado Springs??

I regret it too, I looked everywhere for a write up on the super low kit, and I thought about doing one but I didn't :/

OLD VW NUT · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:21 pm Post subject:

Joshooalane · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 8:11 pm Post subject:

Parts have arrived, I need to do a little more reading before I decide to tackle this though, I'm just nervous about the time crunch with doing it in a garage that closes at the the end of the day....

For the folks that already tackled this, what kind of problems did you run into for the super suspension?

Joshooalane · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2014 11:04 pm Post subject:

Alright I finally decided to start the front end rebuild… I decided against doing it at a shop, because it looks like the idler arm bushing is the only part that I’ll need something I can’t get (press).

I started by breaking the tension on the front tires, chalked the back tires, jacked the car up, put it on stands, and took of the tires.

I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t exactly sure what order to do this so I just kind’ve looked at everything to see what would be the best bet, I may have made a couple mistakes or made it harder on myself.

I started by removing the nut that connects the ball joint to the control arm. (this is where I probably should’ve gotten some advice, there’s a trick to get the ball joint away from the control arm, but I figured I could do it later)

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I used my jack to support the brake drum because I recently replaced the strut housing and I didn’t want them to disconnect from the spindles… they were stuck good so no worries there.

15mm with an extension for the three bolts holding the strut to the spindle to the ball joint, with those out the ball joint seperated from the spindle pretty easily.

17mm from the back of the inner control arm bushing (camber bolts)

I think they were original, used a flat-tip to work the washer and out she came..

Look at those… yup, they’re no bueno.

19mm for the control arm/sway bar connection

19mm for the outter tie rod to spindle… this is where all hell broke loose… my tie-rod flip it kit bushing thing that I pressed it came out with the tie-rod….

Moved to the steering dampener 17mm because I couldn’t get to the other driver side outter tie-rod to center tie-rod nut

Then to the trunk for the other side of the steering dampener 15mm

Now that the steering dampener is out, the driver side outer to center tie rod nut is exposed 19mm

Now for the center tie rod.. These nuts have pins that may be burried…. See pictures. I was baffled when I couldn’t find a socket to fit it and as I picked at it(look at all the crud)

I noticed the pin. Bend the end of the pins straight.

Use something to push it out.

19mm to take it off

That's as far as I got tonight, I need to find a tool for the tie-rods, as well as take off the idler arm (I think that's what It's called) and then get the ball joints off of the control arms and I'll be set for re-assembly! More tomorrow folks!

[/img]

Tim Donahoe · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 8:47 am Post subject:

Great write-up so far.

Keep the pictures coming for each step.

Thanks,

Tim

Joshooalane · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 6:00 pm Post subject:

Can anyone double check the torque specs that I have. I read all the time "PO had no idea what a torque wrench was" and I don't want to be one of those. I'm trying to match it up from this list, but the wording is throwing me off a little bit.

This is the list I'm using...

rack control arm to frame head nut (29)
Track control arm to ball joint nut (29)
Ball joint stud in steering knuckle (1974) (25)
Stabilizer to track control arm nut (22)
(turn onto cotter pin hole) (29.8 )
(turn onto cotter pin hole) (3.0)
(turn onto cotter pin hole)
Stabilizer clamp to frame head bolt (1971-1973) (14)
Stabilizer clamp to frame head bolt (1974) (29)
Strut mounting to shock absorber (1971-1973) nut (50 - 61)
Strut mounting to shock absorber (1974) nut (43)
Steering knuckle axle ball joint to strut bolt (29)
Steering knuckle to strut (1974) bolt (61)
Strut to Body nut (14)
Backing plate to steering knuckle bolt (36)
Wheel bearing nut (7 (9 MAX))
(while turning wheel) (9.5 (12.2 Max))
(while turning wheel) (1.0 (1.3 MAX))
(while turning wheel)
Clamp nut screw (7 -9)
Idler arm bracket to body bolt (22)
Idler arm to bracket nut (29)
Adjusting bolt in idler arm bracket nut (14)
Center tie rod to drop arm and idler arm nut (22)
(turn onto cotter pin hole) (29.8 )
(turn onto cotter pin hole) (3.0)
(turn onto cotter pin hole)
Side tie rods to center tie rod and steering knuckle nut (22)
(turn onto cotter pin hole) (29.8 )
(turn onto cotter pin hole) (3.0)
(turn onto cotter pin hole)
Clamps on tie rods nut (11)
Locknut on tie rod (18 )
Steering damper to frame head bolt (43)
Steering damper to drop arm bolt (29 - 32)
Steering gearbox to body bolt (29) 22
Tie rod end (M12 Castellated ) nut (22)
Tie rod end (M10 Castellated ) nut (18 )
Drop arm on roller shaft nut (72)
(peen after torquing) (97.6)
(peen after torquing) (10.0)
(peen after torquing)
Universal joint shaft to worm spindle and steering column bolt and nut (18 )
Cover on steering gearbox bolt (14 - 18 )
Roller shaft adjusting screw locknut (18 )
Worm adjuster locknut (47)
Column tube to instrument panel bolt (11)
Column switch to column tube bolt (4 - 7)
Tie rod inner end to steering rack bolt (40)
Tie rod mounting bracket to steering rack nut and bolt (14)
Rack and pinion steering to steering mounting brackets nut and bolt (18 )
Rack and pinion steering mounting brackets to side members bolt (32)

n8ure2 · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 5:33 am Post subject:

How did tis work out for you? I just moved mid project and put all my parts in storage. I finally have the garage at my new place cleared out of all the boxes etc that come with moving gona and tools back where they should be. I will get my car in there soon and will be rebuilding the front end as well.
thanks
_________________
72 Super Beetle

vamram · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 3:53 pm Post subject:

Was hoping for pics of the idler arm removal and replacement... Blue Bug

_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

vamram · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 3:53 pm Post subject:

Was hoping for pics of the idler arm removal and replacement... Blue Bug

_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

solorogue

This is a great useful thread, as at some point I am going to need to do much the same on my 74' super beetle.

Question. What is the difference in replacing just the tie rod over replacing the whole tie rod assemble? I mean why couldn't I just replace the tie rods and new bushings?

BTW Joshooalane.. can you post which parts you got from Cip1.com?


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

Forum Index -> Beetle - Late Model/Super - 1968-up		Share:
		Print View

	Forum Index -> Beetle - Late Model/Super - 1968-up	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1