PLEASE TEACH ME :-)

[virek]

Hello ppl,

Got my bug back on thursday Going well so far.

Was hoping to learn more about the front suspension. Tried digging up a few old posts but didn't really find what i was looking for. Basically my bug is way to low in the front. So i jacked her up last night hoping to find a way to raise her a bit. Unfortunately I was really confused have no idea what controls the actual ride height. Do I need to maybe install new shocks I noticed 2 bars running across, perhaps there is an adjustment there

Please help - I dont mind taking it to a wheel shop or so, but i would still like to know what they are doing.

U welcome to mail me with help and diagrams etc.. to get the bug a bit higher.

virek.hiralal@hulamin.co.za

Thanks
Virek

[hitlers revenge]

The 2 bars running across. Are you talking about the 2 bars that run right across the front of the car? One above the other. if so, is there an adjuster right in the middle of each bar. These should be named TUBES and not BARS. They are known as AXLE TUBES.

[Tony Z]

look in the middle of the tubes, in the centre line of the car. Are they just a tube (sort of, with a locating device, but no welding) or has there been some sort of nut and bolt arrangement welded into them? or some form of nut and extra plate also welded in there?

If yes, then these are your adjusters.
Loosen the lock-nuts. Turn the bolt (lets say) 2 turns. Then do EXACTLY the same to the other beam. Stand back and look at the car, has it gone up or down... adjust until happy. (adjust other direction if it went down instead of up). Or loosen locknut and move plate(s) in same manner.

If your suspension has been lowered, but without adjusters, then you have probably had spring plates removed from inside your tubes.... you are now in a world of shit. Get a new front end suspension (with adjusters) and start again.

After risning or lowering as you want it.... then get your wheel alignment checked.


The bug isnt like other cars where changing your springs changes the ride height.

[virek]

Thanks for the info. Really a helpful forum

Will give it a try later.

Regards

[virek]

ok I tried adjusting it - didn't work.

Its those nuts and bolts at the centre of the tube? I basically loosened them, then used a allen key to adjust.

I adjusted it full both ways - no change in ride height

Is there anyone in PMB that can have a look at it for me.

Thanks

[fig]

The chances are you do NOT have an adjustable beam.

The two tubes across the front are called torsion tubes, because they house the torsion bars, which are your Beetle's front springs. These take the form of a series of flat spring steel strips that are packed together. There are four of them, one in each half of each torsion tube. They are bolted down in the centre, while the outer ends are attached to the trailing arms of the suspension. This allows them to twist, which is where you get your springing.

I would bet you either have some broken leaves, or some have been removed as part of a special boere lowering job. Either replace the entire front beam or find a complete set of torsion springs and replace them.

[virek]

Thanks fig.

Makes sense. So much to learn

The beetle is very different from the usual cars

[Tony Z]

this is what you are looking for



or

[beetlefocus]

virek
you seem keen to learn, the best way i find is to do it yourself, get a haynes or something similar, it shows you how to do a service and all the quirks involved in a vw step by step.

23_VWFrontTorsionLeaveAdj.jpg

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[virek]

Thanks alot for the help guys. Yes I am very keen to learn - I try and read as much as I can. Also do most of the work on my own, but the wife is not too impressed with me spending time with the cars I actually really love my beetle. Its a snazzy little car that gets alot of attention and compliments

Those are the same adjusters that she has - I will take a picture and show you guys exactly what it looks like.

Thanks again.

[flatfourfan]

No problem doing it by yourself, but when it comes to adjustable front beams and select-a-drops, I would rather let a pro weld it in, I'm currently doing the same and am letting a pro CO2 weld it in.