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Thu Jul 04, 2013 5:31 pm

Hi Guys,

I've been hearing a strange rattle sound from the rear right side of my 74' super beetle. This evening I was looking around trying to find the cause. I noticed one of the inner CV bolts is loose and I can slide it around. The others are tight. Could that be the rattling sound I'm hearing? Should there be a nut the bolt goes into? If it's not the rattling I'm hearing - any other places I should look?

Thanks,
Danny

Thu Jul 04, 2013 6:26 pm

It's possible that is the noise. Every two bolts there is a plate with a ribbed washer under each the bolt head. Tighten it up and see if the sound goes away.The bolt tightens into the CV joint.
If it doesn't then it could mean you have a worn CV joint or a bad bearing.

Thu Jul 04, 2013 6:36 pm

Actually, The CV bolt DOES NOT screw into the CV itself. The CV joint just has straight holes through it. The bolts screw into the stub axle on the wheel side and the transmission flange on that side.

Thu Jul 04, 2013 10:07 pm

If you can hear a loose CV bolt while driving you must have real good hearing. :lol:

Fri Jul 05, 2013 4:36 am

I have a strange rattle like this in the right rear of my '69- been looking for it for a while. It sounds rotational at low speeds, but then, suddenly it changes frequency entirely. I've almost wondered if I've been looking at all the wrong stuff!

Fri Jul 05, 2013 5:07 am

Thanks, everyone.. I'm thinking the sound I'm hearing isn't the one loose bolt. The reason I ask about the nut is I couldn't get the bolt to tighten..... I'm going to pull the wheel off today and look a little closer

Bandi, my rattle doesn't sound rotational. I only hear it at slow speeds over small bumps. I first I thought it was coming from under the rear seat. Like something hitting together.

Thoughts?

Tanks,
Danny

Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:52 am

My buddy had a rattle in the back right.

Thought it was:

CV joint
Bearing.

Turns out the rear axle nut was only on with 7lbs

torqued it down to 250lbs and the rattle went away.

Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:38 am

I just pulled off the wheel and poked around. Everything looks good and snug. The axle nut was good too. - good idea to check that, Mr. Duncan. The rubber to the body mount is OK too. I was thinking maybe it was dry rotted or something but it looks good.

Other thoughts or ideas? I was thinking maybe the Torsion plate?

Kindly,
Danny

Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:45 am

dcombs wrote: I just pulled off the wheel and poked around. Everything looks good and snug. The axle nut was good too. - good idea to check that, Mr. Duncan. The rubber to the body mount is OK too. I was thinking maybe it was dry rotted or something but it looks good.

Other thoughts or ideas? I was thinking maybe the Torsion plate?

Kindly,
Danny

i would duct tape (very well) a camera. it would help...

But, check your shocks, make sure the shock bolts are on at 45 lbs.

Mine came loose a bit, causing a odd thud noise over any slight bumps.

Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:30 pm

That's a good idea too. I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to duck tape my video camera under the car though...

I checked the shock bolts and they seem good. I guess it's possible it's a bad shock. The PO put them on in 2009 so I assumed they were still good.

Kindly,
Danny

Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:52 pm

have someone bounce the car by jumping on the rear bumper while you listen, could be loose shock bolt or worn out mount, especially lower mount.

Thu Aug 08, 2013 11:45 pm

I'm having a similar problem, most noticeable at slow speeds.
I pulled the drum and there is at least an inch slop in the axle (in/out).
I had loose CV bolts a little while back and tightened them.
I'm thinking CV joint or something that should retain the axle like a snap ring.
Going to pull it apart in the am and see what's what.

Fri Aug 09, 2013 2:59 pm

Sorry for hijacking the thread but I thought it could be same issue as OP.

tikitime wrote: I'm having a similar problem, most noticeable at slow speeds.
I pulled the drum and there is at least an inch slop in the axle (in/out).
I had loose CV bolts a little while back and tightened them.
I'm thinking CV joint or something that should retain the axle like a snap ring.
Going to pull it apart in the am and see what's what.

Checked axle & bearing fit. Bearing inner races are sloppy fitting on axle. Axle has a groove same width as outer bearing inner race instead of being even sizing so bearing fits loose. Axle/bearing has up/down and side to side play also. Outer spacer was also worn on bearing side, fortunately I had a replacement.

Ordered new bearings, seals, gaskets and axle. With a new axle I can check bearing fit and compare to old. If no difference I can return new axle to CIP1 as they are local to me, no shipping issues.

Waiting to pickup parts!