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Mon Dec 08, 2025 12:05 pm

We just got a 74 Super Beetle and when I drove it home, it developed a severe front end shake at anything over 45-mph. [actually at exactly 45-mph, because it was so bad that I was never able to go any faster.]

We put in onto a lift and found slight bits of play in the wheel bearings but nothing bad. We then saw that the top of the passenger side strut where it enters the fender could move more than 1/4". What do we need to do to correct that?

Mon Dec 08, 2025 12:42 pm

I'd start here.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=582555

Sounds like a strut tower mount is worn out but I'd go through and replace anything that isn't new. Shimmies are a pain to nail down.

Mon Dec 08, 2025 12:43 pm

How many miles on the Bug ? how old are the tires ?
I just had the same prob. on my 71 SB, you need to jack up the front end get under it with a flash light, have someone turn the wheel lt. and rt. and you to shake all the rod end's with your hand to see the prob.
Your prob. going to need to replace all three rods with rod end's, if one is worn out prob. the others are near gone also.
It's an easy fix, you will need a tie rod end tool to make it a lot easer.
Lots of videos out there. it helps to have a friend help, but can be done without one. you can get it all as a kit. I paid $147, are you can buy the tie rod ends and repair your old rods.

If your tires are bal. right, your bug will drive like a new one, good luck.

Mon Dec 08, 2025 1:15 pm

Anything loose in the front end is bad. On my 1971 Super, I had to have the idler arm bushing replaced, and I replaced 4 tie rod ends; don't overlook front bushings either

Mon Dec 08, 2025 2:36 pm

lboos wrote:
How many miles on the Bug ? how old are the tires ?
I just had the same prob. on my 71 SB, you need to jack up the front end get under it with a flash light, have someone turn the wheel lt. and rt. and you to shake all the rod end's with your hand to see the prob.
Your prob. going to need to replace all three rods with rod end's, if one is worn out prob. the others are near gone also.
It's an easy fix, you will need a tie rod end tool to make it a lot easer.
Lots of videos out there. it helps to have a friend help, but can be done without one. you can get it all as a kit. I paid $147, are you can buy the tie rod ends and repair your old rods.

If your tires are bal. right, your bug will drive like a new one, good luck.

When we had it on the hoist, I could not see any movement in any of the tie rods or bushings. I did fine a lot of movement in the top of the strut. We will pull that out tonight and see if we can see what is going on. I am usure how many miles it has. the odometer says 76,000 but with no 6th digit, it is anyones guess how many times it has turned over.

Mon Dec 08, 2025 2:44 pm

PiperFixer wrote: I'd start here.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=582555

Sounds like a strut tower mount is worn out but I'd go through and replace anything that isn't new. Shimmies are a pain to nail down.

Thanks. I will look into this. When I am wiggling the PS wheel, I can see the strut rod move under the fender, but the strut top mount does not seem to move. I am thinking that it is probably the Upper strut dampening ring that has dampened its last and needs to be replaced. I will try to get the strut out and see what is going on in there.

Mon Dec 08, 2025 2:51 pm

Unlikely. 9 times out of ten its the inner bushings on the tracktion control arms.

The struts do not need to come out to replace these, and they are cheap.

Tue Dec 09, 2025 8:13 am

Well, I put the car up on stands and shook everything, ran the steering wheel from lock to lock and looked for any movement both by eye and by feel at the joints. The only place I can find any movement is between the top strut mount and the shaft of the insert. The shaft and nut move without any resistance ±1/4" inside the metal mount. It appears like maybe the damper ring was not even installed. I will disassemble and figure out what is needed to fix it.

Tue Dec 09, 2025 12:12 pm

In Tucson, Chirco in east Tucson can be a good resource.

Tue Dec 09, 2025 2:06 pm

Hayden74SB wrote: Well, I put the car up on stands and shook everything, ran the steering wheel from lock to lock and looked for any movement both by eye and by feel at the joints. The only place I can find any movement is between the top strut mount and the shaft of the insert. The shaft and nut move without any resistance ±1/4" inside the metal mount. It appears like maybe the damper ring was not even installed. I will disassemble and figure out what is needed to fix it.

Yeah, there shouldn't be any movement like you describe at the top of the strut. That would definitely cause a wobble. Now, I have a '74 Super as well and have replaced the struts in the past. Honestly...I don't recall that item #17 in the diagram being part of the assembly. Have you confirmed it's in place on the other side?

[EDIT] The play in the wheel bearing is a bit concerning as well. I'd make sure the bearings are good and adjusted properly.

Tue Dec 09, 2025 8:36 pm

talljordan wrote: Unlikely. 9 times out of ten its the inner bushings on the tracktion control arms.

The struts do not need to come out to replace these, and they are cheap.

The struts are out and the head rattles on the shock insert shaft. There is no rubber damping ring in there. This lets the top of the strut move 1/2" in all directions. None of the other components have any play at all.

Tue Dec 09, 2025 8:40 pm

vamram wrote: Hayden74SB wrote: Well, I put the car up on stands and shook everything, ran the steering wheel from lock to lock and looked for any movement both by eye and by feel at the joints. The only place I can find any movement is between the top strut mount and the shaft of the insert. The shaft and nut move without any resistance ±1/4" inside the metal mount. It appears like maybe the damper ring was not even installed. I will disassemble and figure out what is needed to fix it.

Yeah, there shouldn't be any movement like you describe at the top of the strut. That would definitely cause a wobble. Now, I have a '74 Super as well and have replaced the struts in the past. Honestly...I don't recall that item #17 in the diagram being part of the assembly. Have you confirmed it's in place on the other side?

[EDIT] The play in the wheel bearing is a bit concerning as well. I'd make sure the bearings are good and adjusted properly.

Thanks. We will be pulling all four brake drums and inspecting and/or replacing the shoes. The bearings will be inspected and adjusted. The play is very minor. Not enough to see but a tiny clunk can be felt.

Tue Dec 16, 2025 8:29 pm

Topline Parts in SoCal has an excellent reputation for Super Beetle front end parts- https://www.toplineparts.com/product-category/vw-products/vw-front-end/
For stock specifications, or a lowered front suspension; disc brake upgrades, etc.

Wed Dec 17, 2025 11:47 am

Hayden74SB wrote: talljordan wrote: Unlikely. 9 times out of ten its the inner bushings on the tracktion control arms.

The struts do not need to come out to replace these, and they are cheap.

The struts are out and the head rattles on the shock insert shaft. There is no rubber damping ring in there. This lets the top of the strut move 1/2" in all directions. None of the other components have any play at all.

Well I guess that answers that! But I would check the inner bushings anyways. The rubber rots out, it wont feel loose but it wont have the strength to hold up at speed. $10 for new bushings is cheap and they are not incredibly difficult to install.