TheSamba.com :: View topic - Adjustable Coil Overs

Tue May 14, 2019 1:16 pm

Hello all,

I recently purchased a 71 Super Beetle and the PO placed "adjustable coil overs on the front". Purposefully by the PO, the front sits lower than the rear. We would like to raise the front an inch or two because the front tires of the car catch on the fenders on full lock, or the front valance catches on small rocks etc in the road. The front is too low for us.

Does anyone know what is involved in raising the front using the "adjustable coil overs on the front" ?

Thanks so much.

Tue May 14, 2019 1:41 pm

Here's a pic of Empi adjustable coil-over shocks:

Notice on the bottom (left end) where the silver base of the coils are "stepped". There is a lug welded to the side of the black shock body (you can just see it resting against the silver colored step in the top shock) that the steps rest over. Once set, the spring tension keeps it in place.

Using a tool like the one pictured you rotate the base and it adjusts the pre-tension of the spring. Compress the spring more and you get a stiffer ride. Rotate until you are on a lower step and you get a softer ride. Depending on the design, you may only be able to rotate the adjuster in one direction, which means taking it to the highest tension level and then rotating until it drops to the lowest level and you start over.
If you don't have the tool you can sometimes make the adjustments with a large pipe wrench, but obviously "the correct tool for the job" is always preferred. You might be able to find a universal shock tool at the FLAPS or a 4-wheel drive shop.

You usually want to make sure both shocks are set to the same step for an even ride.

Tue May 14, 2019 2:46 pm

It is a "Super" not a standard. To adjust those you will have to raise the loser spring perch by approx the amount you want to raise the front. You should have or will need to get the correct spanner to loosen the lock collar and then raise the perch and then tighten the collar.

Tue May 14, 2019 2:56 pm

I never bought a spanner for any shock ever, it is the correct way but a brass drift works just fine with a hammer or a screwdriver and a hammer if your careful. I would Jack up the car and remove the lower mount before you try to adjust it. I would also recomend cleaning the threads of the adjuster the best you can and oiling them, most shock bodies are aluminum and crud in the threads can really mess things up.

Tue May 14, 2019 3:41 pm

Thanks everyone. Im completely new to adjustables and so appreciate ALL the feedback.

I "think" the PO gave me a wrench in the tub of parts he provided with the car. I will have to dig it out. I was thinking I had to use coil compressor tools or similar. Seems like this video is explaining what you guys generally described?

Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcq7Xm-PssI

Tue May 14, 2019 4:04 pm

wagohn wrote: I recently purchased a 71 Super Beetle and the PO placed "adjustable coil overs on the front".
My bad. I missed the "Super Beetle" bit and the "front". :(

Super Beetles don't use "front shocks". The coils you are describing are part of the "MacPherson strut". The adjustment is not usually as simple as rotating with a wrench. You probably need to ID the make/model of your strut. Post some pics.

Tue May 14, 2019 5:20 pm

Take a pick of your front struts. Only the high end Maxx Strut Xtremes from Topline, and the high end struts from Kerscher have the threaded body, and collar to turn to adjust the spring perch/height. 95% of the common adjustable height struts have a circular snap ring the bottom spring perch rests on. To access the snap ring the lower perch has to be raised off of it. I suppose you may be able to do this with a spring compressor with the strut still on the car, but any time I've ever done it was to disassemble the strut.

Wed May 15, 2019 12:02 pm

ashman40 wrote: ....You probably need to ID the make/model of your strut. Post some pics.

Is this any help? I stuck my phone under the fender and took a quick shot.

Wed May 15, 2019 4:25 pm

That appears to be a Maxx Strut from Topline Parts. The little ridges/grooves below the silver bottom spring perch is what the snap ring sits in, and the spring perch rests on the snap ring. The good news is, the snap ring looks more accessible than a standard adjustable strut, and it doesn’t look like you would need to release too much pressure from the spring to move it. The bad news is, it appears to be in the top “highest” setting creating the least amount of lowering. Not much else you can do to raise the front more other than finding a stock set of struts.

Wed May 15, 2019 4:49 pm

[email protected] wrote: That appears to be a Maxx Strut from Topline Parts. The little ridges/grooves below the silver bottom spring perch is what the snap ring sits in, and the spring perch rests on the snap ring. The good news is, the snap ring looks more accessible than a standard adjustable strut, and it doesn’t look like you would need to release too much pressure from the spring to move it. The bad news is, it appears to be in the top “highest” setting creating the least amount of lowering. Not much else you can do to raise the front more other than finding a stock set of struts.

That's really good information - thank you. I'm a little less clueless now.

Strange how that's the highest setting. To me, the car couldn't safely sit any lower at the front. We like the low look, but already tired of hitting every object over 2 inches. :)