I have just bought a Type4 station-wagon, saved from being dragged screaming to the scrap-yard, as my next VeeDub project. It looked ok when I went to see it, except for the rust and missing bits, but now it sits about 6 inches lower at the rear.
Any ideas at what is broken? Presuming it is the shocks, where can I get some?
Sagging rear end, type 4 station wagon
-
Pine
- ACVWSA Junkie
- Posts: 15033
- Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:54 pm
- What model do you have?: Oil on the driveway
- Location: Wilderness
- Has thanked: 231 times
- Been thanked: 233 times
- Contact:
Type 4's (especially the Variants) always had a 'factory-designed' sagging rear end. It is to enable you to load the front trunk with heavy luggage.
If you can perhaps post a pic of the Variant from the side, on a level surface, one could determine if the sagging is worse than what it is suppose to be. A great Type 4 site is at http://www.type4.org
If you can perhaps post a pic of the Variant from the side, on a level surface, one could determine if the sagging is worse than what it is suppose to be. A great Type 4 site is at http://www.type4.org
-
osvw
fuel leak as well
Thanks,
Have just reied to start her, and had fuel quirting out, by the time I found out, I had run out of petrol there wasnt much in the tank), but it looks like the little flexible fuel pipes that come from the injectors are perished. Can these be replaced? They look like they are part of the injector assembly.
As for the sagging, looking at it now that it is outside, it looks like the back is sagging, and the front is way too high, so maybe two problems, not one???
Shoulda stuck to bay-window 1600's, those I understand!
Will take a photo tomorrow.
Have just reied to start her, and had fuel quirting out, by the time I found out, I had run out of petrol there wasnt much in the tank), but it looks like the little flexible fuel pipes that come from the injectors are perished. Can these be replaced? They look like they are part of the injector assembly.
As for the sagging, looking at it now that it is outside, it looks like the back is sagging, and the front is way too high, so maybe two problems, not one???
Shoulda stuck to bay-window 1600's, those I understand!
Will take a photo tomorrow.
-
Pine
- ACVWSA Junkie
- Posts: 15033
- Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:54 pm
- What model do you have?: Oil on the driveway
- Location: Wilderness
- Has thanked: 231 times
- Been thanked: 233 times
- Contact:
...one of the reasons MANY type 4s ended on the scrap yard, burnt-out. Be careful, and have a fire extinguisher handyit looks like the little flexible fuel pipes that come from the injectors are perished
Yes, I've done it before. If you remove the injector, carefully pry away the crimping with a side cutter - and replace the pipe with fuel-injection hose, with hose clamps on both sides.Can these be replaced? They look like they are part of the injector assembly.
The original Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection is a bitch, though - difficult (read: close to impossible) to get new parts.
Many Type 4s were fitted with twin carbs, but what might be an even easier/cheaper option is to source the fuel injection system of a 2.1i Microbus. I've fitted it to my Type 4 - it is a lot simpler than what might appear at first. Just ensure the harness is complete, and that you get all the parts - if I can think quickly of, the following
- petrol pump
- 4 x injectors
- relay box
- computer box
- throttle body
- airflow meter
- fuel pressure regulator
- harness
- electronic Bosch ditributor + coil + TCI unit
(A few years ago, I got the lot for less than R 1000). I also have copies of the original VW dealer service booklet for the fuel injection, so give it a try!
-
Pine
- ACVWSA Junkie
- Posts: 15033
- Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:54 pm
- What model do you have?: Oil on the driveway
- Location: Wilderness
- Has thanked: 231 times
- Been thanked: 233 times
- Contact:
That is what my 412 looked like when the tank was empty, and the spare wheel/jack/wheel spanner were removed. Ensure they are in, put 8 - 10 bricks in the trunk, push the nose a few times up-and-down, and you will see it is a lot better!like the back is sagging, and the front is way too high
P.S. try this forum in England as well - looks identical as 'ours', but less busy
http://www.vwtype3and4club.org.uk/forum/
-
osvw
front end weight
I am going to try get new shocks on Monday, failling that, I can also try the old beach-buggy trick of filling the front bumper with concrete to keep the nose down.
-
vader
- ACVWSA Junkie
- Posts: 6465
- Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2005 9:17 am
- What model do you have?: TieFighter
- Location: Help!I don't know where I am. Its dark & I can hear voices...
- Has thanked: 9 times
- Been thanked: 10 times
I've never had a Varient, so stupid q&a time.
Does the Varient use a simmilar sustem to the Bug at the rear with the swing axil and big torsion bar? Or is it IRS?
Does the Varient use a simmilar sustem to the Bug at the rear with the swing axil and big torsion bar? Or is it IRS?
"My other ride is your SeatCover! & She loves it!"
Sometimes you'r the statue, sometimes your the pigeon.
"Only the dead go free..." Roger Waters.
"You do not understand the power of the DarkSide" Darth Vader.
Sometimes you'r the statue, sometimes your the pigeon.
"Only the dead go free..." Roger Waters.
"You do not understand the power of the DarkSide" Darth Vader.
-
Pine
- ACVWSA Junkie
- Posts: 15033
- Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:54 pm
- What model do you have?: Oil on the driveway
- Location: Wilderness
- Has thanked: 231 times
- Been thanked: 233 times
- Contact:
Nope - coil springs, and IRS.
From http://www.type4.org
The Volkswagen Type 4 was a strange member of the VW family. Some think it was the last attempt at continuing a technological tradition doomed long before. Others characterize it as the step between the "old" aircooled and the new watercooled models. It is a strange hybrid indeed if you look into the details.
On the one hand we have the well-known rear engine and rear wheel drive-layout with the 4 cylinder air-cooled boxer setup. All well known and proven by its predecessors. But we also have some startling new elements:
The unitized body design which does away with the old "body-on-chassis"-setup. It allows the VW engineers to introduce the first 4 door VW passenger car, the VW 411 4-door sedan.
At the same time the torsion arm axles are making way for far more modern McPherson struts up front and an independent suspension in the rear with coil springs and constant velocity joints joining the axle shaft to the transmission and the wheel.
The steering is of the recirculating ball-type, something only found in high-priced premium automobiles at that time.
From http://www.type4.org
The Volkswagen Type 4 was a strange member of the VW family. Some think it was the last attempt at continuing a technological tradition doomed long before. Others characterize it as the step between the "old" aircooled and the new watercooled models. It is a strange hybrid indeed if you look into the details.
On the one hand we have the well-known rear engine and rear wheel drive-layout with the 4 cylinder air-cooled boxer setup. All well known and proven by its predecessors. But we also have some startling new elements:
The unitized body design which does away with the old "body-on-chassis"-setup. It allows the VW engineers to introduce the first 4 door VW passenger car, the VW 411 4-door sedan.
At the same time the torsion arm axles are making way for far more modern McPherson struts up front and an independent suspension in the rear with coil springs and constant velocity joints joining the axle shaft to the transmission and the wheel.
The steering is of the recirculating ball-type, something only found in high-priced premium automobiles at that time.
-
osvw
sagging rear, high front end
Thanks for all the advice, it helped me some.
Since I do not have a spare wheel, and the fuel tank is completely empty, I took the advice given and placed a big bag of builder's rubble under the bonnet, then jumped up and down on the front bumper.
This has definately helped, and I reckon if I put a couple of dozen bricks in the front, the car should look just about normal.
Since I do not have a spare wheel, and the fuel tank is completely empty, I took the advice given and placed a big bag of builder's rubble under the bonnet, then jumped up and down on the front bumper.
This has definately helped, and I reckon if I put a couple of dozen bricks in the front, the car should look just about normal.
-
fig
- Bus Driver
- Posts: 12214
- Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:08 pm
- What model do you have?: Type 2
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/258896479219/
- Location: Where life is cheap and death is free
- Has thanked: 287 times
- Been thanked: 322 times
- Contact:
Re: sagging rear, high front end
Sorry to disillusion you,osvw wrote:This has definately helped, and I reckon if I put a couple of dozen bricks in the front, the car should look just about normal.
but there is NO WAY to make a 411/412 look even "just about" normal.Next step should be to remove the bag of rubble from the boot and toss the car in the bag.
fig
Kaapse Kombi Kult
"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." -- Henry Ford
Kaapse Kombi Kult
"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." -- Henry Ford
-
osvw
