TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Jul 21, 2015 4:42 pm

Looking to replace the shocks on my "let's call it a 1964 Beetle Buggy"

the front end is king&link pin. so for all intensive purposes, it's a '64 I'm working with for this task.

The front passenger side bobs up and down at relatively low speeds. there is significant rust on the front shocks. so to try and fix the bob & sway while driving. I'm thinking replacing the shocks in at least the front, is the next attempt to fix this.
currently my ride height is stock.
Previously I had to do significant adjustment to my steering box to get the play out.

I want to know what is a good, not most expensive, but best bang for the buck shock I can pick up?
I would like to keep it around or under $60 per shock.

I have read through many forum posts and haven't found an answer to my question.

I believe I'm going to stick with gas shocks as it seems there isn't much advantage to switching to coil over, air, or oil that I have found...

Basic run down:
-Stock ride height
-Front end is super light! gas tank is in the rear (another issue to tackle later)
-exclusively pretty much street driving. So looking for something with a little more of a softer ride I'm thinking.

I appreciate you taking the time to read my post.

Tue Jul 21, 2015 4:49 pm

Stock oil filled shocks for KP frontend. No coilovers. No gas filled shocks. Lower your front tire pressures.

bnc

Tue Jul 21, 2015 5:56 pm

didget69 wrote: Stock oil filled shocks for KP frontend. No coilovers. No gas filled shocks. Lower your front tire pressures.

bnc

Ditto.....

Dale

Tue Jul 21, 2015 6:58 pm

I run gas shocks up front. They are pretty soft, It's the same a firebird had I think. You can use gas shocks but your front beam has to of had a few leafs taken out. It's a fair chunk of work but awesome in the long run. I have 30psi in my tires and a very light gas shock and my buggy handles great.

Tue Jul 21, 2015 7:03 pm

Last time I bought them I think NAPA had some nice cheap oil filled shocks.

For your application its the way to go. With the air pressure reduction as mentioned.

Wed Jul 22, 2015 9:18 am

Key Point:

What is deemed as being a 'comfortable ride' & 'it handles great' to one person is not the same perspective as it is to another person.

Basic Point: No gas-filled shocks in front & no coilovers or fake coilover shocks on the front suspension. Ever. It stiffens the front suspension.

If you're going to remove leaves, do it 'properly', and not half-assed. There are a few variations on the theme.

bnc

Wed Jul 22, 2015 9:30 am

I would like to cast another vote for cheap oil (non gas charged) shocks.

Lee

Wed Jul 22, 2015 10:09 am

Found these, but can't tell if they are oil or not.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=RR_94095_0484291759

I contacted NAPA but they didn't seem to know either.

Wed Jul 22, 2015 10:47 am

The MSD they attached to the product suggests that they are.

You can always take a look at them. I am relatively confident (someone please correct me if I am wrong) that gas "charged" shocks come with them banded in a compressed mode and when released they expand. Oil shocks do not expand.

Wed Jul 22, 2015 6:13 pm

Some suppliers carry COFAP OE replacement shocks... typically used on Brazilian market, & maybe on Mexican made Beetles. German OE shock absorbers would have usually been Boge brand.

http://www.busdepot.com/113413031bbr

bnc

Fri Jul 24, 2015 5:42 am

Thinking of going with
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111413031G
in the front

and in the rear:
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111513031G

Thinking these must be oil filled?

Fri Jul 24, 2015 5:46 am

didget69 wrote: Some suppliers carry COFAP OE replacement shocks... typically used on Brazilian market, & maybe on Mexican made Beetles. German OE shock absorbers would have usually been Boge brand.

http://www.busdepot.com/113413031bbr

bnc

Those are Oil Filled you think?

Fri Jul 24, 2015 5:53 am

ClipperBuggy wrote: Thinking of going with
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111413031G
in the front

and in the rear:
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111513031G

Thinking these must be oil filled?

Most likely oil filled. I'd Contact WW and ask.

bnc

Sun Aug 02, 2015 2:35 pm

Went with Wolfsberg West shocks front and rear.
Fronts fit perfect. installed no problem.

Rear's (The red ones) do not seem to let the top bolt fit through it.
The bottom stationary mount point fits, but the bolt on the top (that fits the frame correctly, does not fit through the top shock mount hole.

This is the one I'm having trouble with: http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111513031G

Thoughts anyone?

Sun Aug 02, 2015 2:40 pm

ClipperBuggy wrote: Went with Wolfsberg West shocks front and rear.
Fronts fit perfect. installed no problem.

Rear's (The red ones) do not seem to let the top bolt fit through it.
The bottom stationary mount point fits, but the bolt on the top (that fits the frame correctly, does not fit through the top shock mount hole.

This is the one I'm having trouble with: http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111513031G

Thoughts anyone?

Measure the OD of bolt & ID of upper shock mount sleeve. Contact WW. Have WW verify which shock absorber P/N you need based on upper/lower bolt OD.

bnc

Sun Aug 02, 2015 9:00 pm

Stock. AutoZone. $20 each.