Official "Super Beetle" lowering topic

[Maddel]

Just a few catchwords...

- these strut housings seem to be adjustable (currently set quite low)
- special strut shock inserts are required
- stock springs are unsuitable for this set up IMHO
- the shock inserts are very likely shot
- a strut bumper is missing (and it don't seems like the shock inserts have one built in)
- the brake line routing is scary (to say the least). It seems the hoses rub on the body!

Example for adjustable strut housings:

Example for shock bumper:

[plastikman187]

Thanks Maddel!

The brake lines are not rubbing, the erosion you see there is from the old brake lines leaking fluid, but I will for sure do more inspection.

So, looking at this setup, I should probably look at the following

0: Verify that the brake lines are not fubar.
1: New springs preferably lowered. Something like this? http://toplineparts.com/lower-your/sport-springs-pair.html or http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C29-1387
2: New strut inserts (lowered).
3: Bump stops. Something like this? http://toplineparts.com/lower-your/bump-stops-for-all-lowered-super-beetle-pair-87-0258.html

[Lingwendil]

A week or so back I tore apart my suspension to install lowering struts, disc brakes, and new bushings. Before- 185/65-15 front, stock struts, topline tapered sport springs, 205/65-15 rear, stock ride height

After, 175/65-15 front, kyb cartridges, empi lowering struts second notch down from the top, AC industries disc brake kit, topline stainless hoses, topline sport tapered springs. Rear is unchanged.

Rides stiffer than stock (but not objectionable at all) and handles much better, especially in wind or at speed. Highly recommended. Next up is the stiffer topline front sway bar (with caster fix kit) , a rear bar, and a strut tower brace. I'm unsure if I want to drop the rear a tiny bit or if I want to go to a 205/70-15 to keep the rake while eliminating the gap between the tire and rear fender a tad...
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73 super beetle thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=649622 Back on the Road!

Modify your Kadrons for SVDA http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8115884#8115884

Cast iron VJU4BR8 SVDA reference thread- https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Need replacement filters for original Kadron aircleaners? WIX #42087 is a perfect fit, as is Napa Gold #2087!

[vamram]

Looking Good!!! You might consider a rear sway bar. I found it made a huge difference in how the car handles and even how the rear suspension takes bumps in the road. Much less bottoming out of the spring plate cover against the ledge. Got it from Topline.

Victor
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[driftman11]

I have a 71 SB that has the super low kit with sport+ springs, flip tie rod kit, camber adjusters, topline front sway bar kit etc. I am wondering if I can run the empi brm 4 lug 15" wheels and tuck still? This is a brand new project I picked up that has the suspension already done on pan, but he put the factory 15" wheels and tires back on. Looking to trade them out but want to verify I will be able to run these EMPI BRM 4 lug before I buy them off the net.

https://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC%2DC10%2D6629

Also, he didn't lower the bug yet, so I am trying to figure out how many notches on strut should I go in front and how many clicks should I go on the rear? Opinions are wanted on this. I do care about ride quality to a point, but I also want a noticeably lower stance.

[1963backtolife]

[Buggeee]

Hello Super Slammers. I've got some low mileage Topline MaXX struts on a 72 Super Duper.

There is some slop right in the middle of the strut on the driver's side - where the rod plunges into the black tube, or in other words where that silver thing is threaded into the black thing. The whole strut kind of bends, and has a soft bumping side to side, right there where the rod plunges in when I push and pull on it and that doesn't seem right to me. The front is on a jack so it's fully extended if that is of interest.

Especially since it does not do it on the passenger side. At first I thought maybe that silver thing wasn't screwed in enough into the black thing, but sticking my camera up underneath the passenger side let's me see that its also not dialed in all that deep either. Even so it doesn't move on the passenger side but the driver side does.

If there is something not right here my guess is it has something to do with how they were assembled when some prior owner put them on as there was very little wear on the brake disks and pads that are part of this lowering kit - so not enough miles to simply wear out.

Anybody have an idea on what to do? Thank you Sambanistas.
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1966 Sportsmobile Camper https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
72 Super Duper http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=672387
(adopted out) 61 Turkis Pile https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=728764

[rlutterb]

I HATE to ask this, but I looked through all 28 pages of this thread and don't see a link to a step by step how to for installing adjustables on a 72 SB. Am I just missing it? I've checked out youtube and most of what is there is replacing the inserts. I see that they often remove the spindle, but when I look at how it's set up, shouldn't I be able to compress the spring, take off the three top and bottom bolts, and remove/replace the entire strut assembly.
I'm a pictures guy hence why a pictorial how to would be really helpful.
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1973 Super Beetle
1978 Ford F-250
2020 GMC Sierra

[vamram]

rlutterb - there's no way to compress these springs that I know of while the struts are still mounted in the car. I've done my '72 3-bolt and '74 2-bolt struts more than once, and you *must* remove it before you try to compress the springs and R&R inserts.

As for adjustment - the strut assemblies are pretty self-explanatory when you see them. The lowering ones that i used to have had a ring that went into notches on the bottom half of the assembly. You adjust the height by changing the slot the ring sits in - either a higher or lower ring.
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[rlutterb]

At the 2 minute mark in this vid the guy compresses the springs while on the car. I'm thinking if I do that, I can then get the 3 lower bolts off, remove the entire strut assembly off and replace it? never done it before and cannot find a photo tutorial, so I may be missing a real basic concept here.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CPl2g3gz5D8
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1973 Super Beetle
1978 Ford F-250
2020 GMC Sierra

[Maddel]

Removing the entire strut assembly (including the upper bearing) is a piece of cake so why tinker with it on the car?

Taken from Bugs'n'Pugs' gallery:

[rlutterb]

Maddel, thanks for your response. My original question was 'can I compress the spring and replace the strut housing with a new adjustable strut without detaching things from the spindle'. The instructions you provided seem to indicate that I can.

I'm surprised that in a thread dating back 2004 on the subject of lowering a superbeetle doesn't have a step by step picture how to.

I'll find out next week when a I attack the job after Christmas. Tonight I'll put penetrating oil on everything to hopefully make the job easier. I've done a couple of picture how to's on here before, so I'll do one for this as well!
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1973 Super Beetle
1978 Ford F-250
2020 GMC Sierra

[Maddel]

You're welcome!

Here's another link to an all German repair manual:
http://www.vw1302.de/a2/1302dok/technik/rep-va/rep-va.html
(mind the disk brakes)

[rlutterb]

[rlutterb]

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1973 Super Beetle
1978 Ford F-250
2020 GMC Sierra

[Home Built by Jeff]

Like many have done, I wanted a DIY solution with the stock suspension. This is the way I did it, and like everything I do I filmed the whole process step by step for those who want to see what I did. I went down 2.5 inches with the standard shocks (which were still in good condition). It looks great, it rides really well and doesn't bottom out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lye2XSAtLTQ

[YellowBeetleSB]

I need help and I can't seem to find a straight answer on here. I had new suspension put in my 1972 Super and the shop put in adjustable struts. They lowered the front a whole bunch (more than I wanted) and now the 165R15 tires rub on the fender when turning.

I think the front is a little too low for my taste so I'd like to raise it about 1" from where it is in the picture. I also don't like how the rear is higher than the front end making it look like a drag car or something.

What do I need to do to make the tires not rub (without rolling the fender out)?
The rims are stock for March of 1972 so I think that's 4.5" rims.

Different tire size? What size? (I don't really want to go any narrower than 165)
-Will 185/60R15 rub if I raise it 1"? I don't want the tires sticking out from
the fender though, and I want to keep the rims looking stock.

Also, I want my tires with white walls so I'm only seeing them available in 165R15, 185/60R15, 185/65R15, 155R15, 145R15 from Coker, Diamondback, American Classic, BF goodrich....

Lowered in front (I don't know by how much)

Lowered, space between tire and fender. Rubs fender when turning.

Adjustable struts, I don't know the brand or how low it was lowered

New Suspension

Lowered, front tires rub the fender when turning. 4.5" stock rims, 165R15 tires all around.

Thanks to anyone that can help me. I just want to get my beetle back on the road so I'm willing to raise the front and/or get different tires or do whatever to get it to stop rubbing the fender.
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1972 VW Super Beetle
1970 Honda CT70 "Trail 70" STOLEN

[Maddel]

[Buggeee]

[beetlenut]