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BajaChamp
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2011
Posts: 4
Location: California
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 Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 3:22 pm Post subject: front end shimmy |
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I just got another bug and the front end has a shimmy in it.
I think it may be a steering Stabilizer problem but not sure.
It's 72 super beetle. I didn't see anything broke and plan to replace tires and align front end. It may just be that but I don't think so.
My other bug (71) had bad tires and needed an alignment and did not shimmy like this one does. Any suggestions? |
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BenJAMin
Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2004
Posts: 524
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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with mine I basically had to replace the entire front end. But, it doesn't shimmy now!
Lets hope your steering box is ok! |
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Paul Wright
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2004
Posts: 439
Location: Memphis, Ind
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| Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:23 pm Post subject: Re: front end shimmy |
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| BajaChamp wrote: |
I just got another bug and the front end has a shimmy in it.
I think it may be a steering Stabilizer problem but not sure.
It's 72 super beetle. I didn't see anything broke and plan to replace tires and align front end. It may just be that but I don't think so.
My other bug (71) had bad tires and needed an alignment and did not shimmy like this one does. Any suggestions? |
There are a lot of post on this subject, just use the search function using the term shimmy.
I am also suffering with this problem but almost have it fixed.
Good luck
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I may not be good.......but I sure am slow!! |
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puddle pirate
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2008
Posts: 390
Location: Powhatan, VA
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| Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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In my 73, I changed the struts and the bushings and it drives like a champ. I also built a strut support rod. It goes inside the trunk area from top of one strut mount to the other. Improved cornering tremendously.
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John
73 Super Beetle
87 Jeep Wrangler
99 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
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vw_hank
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2001
Posts: 5371
Location: Everett WA
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| Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 1:18 am Post subject: |
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Go to www.toplineparts.com thy are the best place for parts & advice for supers. thy have A list of parts on their site that thy recommend changing at one time.. all the parts thy sell are available on other sites, but the guys at topline only sell the best parts thy can git! and thy tell you were the parts are made. thy have the best customer service you well ever find! hands down.. thy love supers & know how to make them work.
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1302s sunroof..
1600cc motor. Glenn ring 010. full toplineparts.com suspension. factory front disk brakes. Tram type-3 rear brakes. Hurst shifter. empi-8's. low-back's. tons of mods! |
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allsidius
Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2010
Posts: 1481
Location: Norway
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candymustang65
Banned
Joined: January 11, 2010
Posts: 1674
Location: APPLE VALLEY
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| Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 2:17 am Post subject: |
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On 72 and 71 S.B. this is a common problem and is usually attributed to the idler arm bushing .
So much in fact that they sell a special idler arm bushing to solve the problem .
Even if your entire front end is rebuilt the usual is 3-4 years of runnin and right back to the shimmy and shake .
Seek out C.B. Performance as these guy's sell a idler arm bushing that it suppose to solve the problem permanantly .
Yupp ?
Your welcome ! 
Sean |
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nbuscemi
Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2009
Posts: 733
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
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| Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:12 am Post subject: |
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Before you replace anything, have your tires balanced and road forced! Also, check your tire pressure! YOu only want 19-20 psi in the fronts! My 72 SB had a bad case of the shakes (Everything worn-out in front end) and I balanced my front tires and set the pressure to 20psi, shimmy almost completely gone! I'm still replacing the front end becuase I know it needs it, but I'd get your tires checked first!
-Nick- |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 33089
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:46 am Post subject: |
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| candymustang65 wrote: |
On 72 and 71 S.B. this is a common problem and is usually attributed to the idler arm bushing .
So much in fact that they sell a special idler arm bushing to solve the problem .
Even if your entire front end is rebuilt the usual is 3-4 years of runnin and right back to the shimmy and shake .
Seek out C.B. Performance as these guy's sell a idler arm bushing that it suppose to solve the problem permanantly .
Yupp ?
Your welcome !
Sean |
Sean - I finally understood one of your posts.
On my 1971 SB, I did the idler bushinh, 4 tie rod ends, and 2 front bushings to fix it, about a decade ago.
_________________
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 |
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Jesa72
Samba Member
Joined: March 21, 2009
Posts: 1
Location: Houston, Texas
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| Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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I've been driving a 74 that recently started shaking at low acceleration around 35-40 miles per hour. I thought it was a balancing issue - I took it in & had the wheels balanced and rotated - no improvement at all. It still shakes. Is this what you guys are calling 'shimmy'?
I am not sure what my next step is, this is my daily driver and I'm worried that I'll end up doing some more grievous harm driving it like it is but I am at a loss as to what needs to be repaired or replaced.
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1974 Sun Bug, 2010+
1972 yellow vert, 1997-2010
Last edited by Jesa72 on Sun Mar 20, 2011 5:24 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Redvolk65
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2010
Posts: 290
Location: Los Angeles,CA
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| Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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replace the bushing im sure is going to end yours shimmis
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candymustang65
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Joined: January 11, 2010
Posts: 1674
Location: APPLE VALLEY
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| Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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Well good for you Cusser glad to see your finally gettin up to speed ?
Now letts work on cohmprehension skill's and the ability to retain what youve read .
71 and 72 S.B. are different than the 73 and up S.B.
71 and 72 Supers have an inherent problem with the idler arm bushing that causes a front end shimmy .
In fact the problem is so persistant with these model car's that a company has researched and developed a special bushing to help prevent the problem from re- occurring .
Im merely suggesting that it might in all probability be the way to go when rebuilding your 71 or 72 S.B. ?
Sean |
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dcnjoe60
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2008
Posts: 434
Location: Missouri
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| Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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| candymustang65 wrote: |
Well good for you Cusser glad to see your finally gettin up to speed ?
Now letts work on cohmprehension skill's and the ability to retain what youve read .
71 and 72 S.B. are different than the 73 and up S.B.
71 and 72 Supers have an inherent problem with the idler arm bushing that causes a front end shimmy .
In fact the problem is so persistant with these model car's that a company has researched and developed a special bushing to help prevent the problem from re- occurring .
Im merely suggesting that it might in all probability be the way to go when rebuilding your 71 or 72 S.B. ?
Sean |
I have a 72 super and agree with this. The only thing I would add is that if replacing the idler arm bushing with the new improved ones, to also replace all the other bushings, too. Otherwise, you'll be replacing the idler bushing again as it takes the brunt of things when other parts are marginal. |
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allsidius
Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2010
Posts: 1481
Location: Norway
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| Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 1:55 am Post subject: |
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| dcnjoe60 wrote: |
| candymustang65 wrote: |
Well good for you Cusser glad to see your finally gettin up to speed ?
Now letts work on cohmprehension skill's and the ability to retain what youve read .
71 and 72 S.B. are different than the 73 and up S.B.
71 and 72 Supers have an inherent problem with the idler arm bushing that causes a front end shimmy .
In fact the problem is so persistant with these model car's that a company has researched and developed a special bushing to help prevent the problem from re- occurring .
Im merely suggesting that it might in all probability be the way to go when rebuilding your 71 or 72 S.B. ?
Sean |
I have a 72 super and agree with this. The only thing I would add is that if replacing the idler arm bushing with the new improved ones, to also replace all the other bushings, too. Otherwise, you'll be replacing the idler bushing again as it takes the brunt of things when other parts are marginal. |
The change in the front suspension came on the 74 models, in aug 73, I think you should lump the first year 1303 with the 1302s with regards to the idler arm deficiency. I had the shimmies and a sloppy idler arm bushing, replaced it, no improvement! Then I did the steering damper, it was mushy, but no improvement with a new one! Then I did the tie rods, a little improvement. Finally, I had a shop take off all 4 wheels, find the best ones for the front axle and balance them on the car, that cured it up to 100 kph. But I still think there may be some residual problem in the inner track control arm bushings, so thats the next on the list.
This seems to be a symptom that may have a number of causes, any one of them may not be the only culprit!
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candymustang65
Banned
Joined: January 11, 2010
Posts: 1674
Location: APPLE VALLEY
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| Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:11 am Post subject: |
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Yes in addition new strut's and carefull attention to the turning plates .
little clean up and lithium grease goes a long way's with turning plates .
Check for rough swivel etc.
New bushing's/ tie rod's and sett the toe .
Fairly simple front end but will require a Mc Phearson strut tool to collapse the spring etc . to install strut cartridges and address the swivel plates .
I just bought one having lost my last one due to old and strippage etc.
Napa Auto sell's a descent one for 100 buck's .
Sean |
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puddle pirate
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2008
Posts: 390
Location: Powhatan, VA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 6:09 am Post subject: |
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I would bring it into a shop for the alignment. You have to set camber too.
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John
73 Super Beetle
87 Jeep Wrangler
99 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
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