| Author |
Message |
Hayden74SB
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2025
Posts: 46
Location: Tucson, AZ
|
 Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2025 12:05 pm Post subject: Loose McPherson strut head |
 |
|
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? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
PiperFixer
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2024
Posts: 70
Location: Atlanta
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2025 12:42 pm Post subject: Re: Loose McPherson strut head |
|
|
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.
_________________
Orange 72 Super
A&P IA |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lboos
Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2015
Posts: 457
Location: Marietta GA.
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2025 12:43 pm Post subject: Re: Loose McPherson strut head |
|
|
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.
Last edited by lboos on Mon Dec 08, 2025 1:16 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 33565
Location: Hot Arizona
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2025 1:15 pm Post subject: Re: Loose McPherson strut head |
|
|
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
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Hayden74SB
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2025
Posts: 46
Location: Tucson, AZ
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2025 2:36 pm Post subject: Re: Loose McPherson strut head |
|
|
| 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. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Hayden74SB
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2025
Posts: 46
Location: Tucson, AZ
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2025 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: Loose McPherson strut head |
|
|
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. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
talljordan
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2012
Posts: 1188
Location: San Francisco, CA
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2025 2:51 pm Post subject: Re: Loose McPherson strut head |
|
|
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.
_________________
1972 Super Beetle, Parked until adequate restoration funding is acquired in restoration!
Wanted: Male computer diagnostic plug end |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Hayden74SB
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2025
Posts: 46
Location: Tucson, AZ
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2025 8:13 am Post subject: Re: Loose McPherson strut head |
|
|
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.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 33565
Location: Hot Arizona
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
vamram 
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2012
Posts: 8263
Location: NOVA
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2025 2:06 pm Post subject: Re: Loose McPherson strut head |
|
|
| 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.
_________________
"Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition
to put moral chains upon their own appetites. -Edmund Burke
'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...we hardly knew ye. Sold 2025 for peanuts.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Hayden74SB
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2025
Posts: 46
Location: Tucson, AZ
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2025 8:36 pm Post subject: Re: Loose McPherson strut head |
|
|
| 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. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Hayden74SB
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2025
Posts: 46
Location: Tucson, AZ
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2025 8:40 pm Post subject: Re: Loose McPherson strut head |
|
|
| 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. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 10831
Location: Pearl River, NY
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
talljordan
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2012
Posts: 1188
Location: San Francisco, CA
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2025 11:47 am Post subject: Re: Loose McPherson strut head |
|
|
| 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.
_________________
1972 Super Beetle, Parked until adequate restoration funding is acquired in restoration!
Wanted: Male computer diagnostic plug end |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
