Official "Super Beetle" lowering topic

[boxer74]

[Paul Wright]

1975 Super with 2 bolt strut. Rack and pinion steering.
I have the Maxx Struts and springs installed.
The strut is currently setting on the 3.5 inch mark and the ground to fender is 24.5 inches.

17" rims with 205/40R17 Tires.

I want to go lower but running into a problem that I hope someone has solved before.
When hitting a large bump or dip in the road the Rack and pinion mounting bracket hit my control arm. I know that if I go lower this problem will become worse.
I spoke to John @ Topline and he said that #1, in all his experience my fender to top of tire should be almost hitting. My fender is almost 1.75 inches above the tire tread.
I removed one of the bump stops on the strut and I am not sitting on the bump stop even with full tank of gas
So I don't know why its still sitting so high and if I go lower I will hit my control arm.
Is there a modified control arm that anyone knows of??
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I may not be good.......but I sure am slow!!

[illcomm33]

Empi Adjustable Lowering Strut housing -> bump stop and bellow?

Finally getting to the point of reassembling/installing the Empi lowered struts, using stock spring, on a 74 Super.

The Jbugs video (props to Sam/team for quality help!) references not using the OEM bump stop and strut protecting bellow/cover.

Has anyone found an acceptable aftermarket solution?
Doesn't make sense to not have either installed.

TopLine offers Bump Stops for all Lowered Super Beetle, pair. Black Urethane. Use on any lowing strut…….#87-0258.

That is half the solution but feel that maybe there is a bellow/boot combo that is also available? Like...

[vamram]

I just installed those bump stops from Topline in my '73 Super. Jon told me to use a pair for each strut but that cause the front to ride too high and bounce. I went back and left it at one per strut, much better.

_________________
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!!

[illcomm33]

[vamram]

Here's his email reply to me when I asked:

[illcomm33]

Photo updates with Top Line bump stops, shock/strut covers, and shock isolators (cheap on Amazon).


Side by side of the shorter bump stop. Very good quality (as usual with Top Line)

Instead of purchasing those expensive strut isolaotors that fit in the bottom of the strut holder (VWC-113-411-211-PR) I just bought those basic/standard isolators on Amazon. Cheap and seem to work good. The fit in the bottom mount plate just fine. Also those are the original springs....they were prepped and sprayed with Rustoleum Caliper paint..lots of research indicated this paint could work on springs...I guess we will see!)

Drilled one small drain hole in the base mount so water can drain.

Decent quality boots/covers purchased on ebay. (Aftermarket Black Shock Absorber Boot Cover 2 Pack JSP Brand Replaces ROU-87159) Not sure how they will perform but I feel they will protect the strut shaft and the final product looks more finished.

Had to trim the top of the boot and zip tie the cover on. Only driving around will confirm if this approach works but it seems like a good fit.

Also..those 2 bolts that hold the strut to the spindle...29 ft lbs (approximate 39 NM) I swear I was going to strip them or break something...it took forever to get to that torque.

[H2OSB]

To answer a question above regarding 185s on a lowered car.

This is sitting 2.5 inches lower than stock with 185 60r 15s on 5.5x15 ET26 wheels. No rubbing.

I added this pic just because I like it. Only difference from the above pic is bumpers and Miata seats

H2OSB
_________________
(o\_i_/o) I'm not a vegetarian because I love animals, I'm a vegetarian because I hate plants.

[vamram]

Nice stance. Did you have the sunroof installed? How's it work?
_________________
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!!

[H2OSB]

Heh, honestly that's a factory steel sliding sunroof. It didn't function when we bought the car. I looked into replacement parts but they were far too cost prohibitive so we forced it as tightly closed as possible and ran a bead of black RTV around the edge to make sure it wouldn't leak. When we got the car painted after a minor fender/hood/valance bender, for some reason the painter didn't paint the sunroof (he was painting the car for free, so I didn't think I should complain).

I replaced the three dented parts and discovered all the colors were custom mixed and thus more than I was willing to spend. My son chose tan.

I really liked the paint job, but not the body mods. The tail lights were frenched in. On the right car, they looked good, but not on this car (we traded them away to a friend). And the valance mods on the front made the car look like a fish (there were odd, custom T bars).

H2OSB
_________________
(o\_i_/o) I'm not a vegetarian because I love animals, I'm a vegetarian because I hate plants.