Aircooled VW South Africa

Hi all,

The rear coil springs on my 412 has sagged badly. Does anyone know what the standard height specs are for me to have them re-set? Or perhaps know of a good used set?

Thanks!

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

Measured a good used rear spring- (not installed on a car), about 360mm between furthest points- (ends of coil).
Measuring the car, about 310mm or slightly more between centre of rear wheel up towards mudguard. That is with empty car, (measuring straight up/down, not slightly skew shortcut between wheel centre and wheel arch). Must be on level ground, average between two sides.
These dimensions might help to determine if the car has been lowered at the rear by a previous owner.

On these cars, it's common for owners, by looking at the car, to mistakenly conclude that the rear has sagged. From factory it came set up "nose high" to be able to carry a heavy load in that huge front luggage area. Top of rear wheelarches are a bit low, adding to the illusion. Looking under the car, it may seem like some of the coils are compressed/touching on each other, but that is how it should be and works perfectly.

Is that the same car that had an accident at the Bull run, or did you find a different car?

Maybe just fit coil over shocks, that will help on the next Bull Run.

Problem solved.

Herman

Thanks Dawie, We will definitely check those dimensions. My gut says we might have a regular stance.

Yes it is our same Bullrun car that rolled last year. Mechanically it is still in good condition, just body is badly damaged.

We are giving it another go with better tyres.

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

I was thinking that as well retrovan, it would perhaps stiffen up its bum for the bullrun.

Do you have an example of this? Only possible option I could find so far is the universal adjustable coil overs but I have no idea if the size would work and fit.

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

Great fun!

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

My Fastback type 3 has the same problem and this was cured by coil-overs.

Not sure which shocks you have but here are a few that may fit with or without modifications.

https://www.volkspares.co.za/product/sh ... -std-pair/

https://www.volkspares.co.za/product/sh ... all-joint/

Or you can look at super bike shocks.

Or you can get someone like Springwell to make up coil - overs from your stock shocks, this is easily done.

Herman

Thanks Herman, Ill check if my shocks are the same as the beetle shocks

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

You could fit a rear anti-rollbar from a 411/412 sedan. The station wagons did not have a rear one, only sedans. Maybe also increase roll stiffness in front.
If a car's weight is more biased towards the rear, handling ease (for the not-so-skilled driver who is'nt good at controlling tail slides), is normally improved by having the front to back ratio of roll stiffness more stiff at the front. That is probably why vw left out the rear bar on the heavier variant. What they also could have done was to keep rear anti roll bar on variant but fit a stiffer front one.

Dawie, I think perhaps you found the problem. Our driver was not so skilled to control tail slides.

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

one of the previous owners of my 411 fitted (what I think is) golf 1 front springs inside the rear springs to allow for better towing without the rear drooping.