Front End Shimmy

Short answer: NO

This is such a common problem on Supers that it pops up here every week.

Do a GOOGLE Advanced search in this newsgroup, something like:

Speedy Jim

Blimey, Jim. Could you try & get a longer link there ? :-)

James

One quick fix, lower the tire pressure to 18psi. It will nearly go away. That doesn't mean you don't have worn bushings or other components up there, but it will give you some sanity in the meantime until its repaired.

Thanks, Ryan.

I'm going to try that on the way home from work today, and see if it helps any. Unfortunately for me, 80% of my commute is at 45MPH! (wouldn't you know it!)

In looking through the box of "spare parts" that the previous owner left with the bug, I did find all new urethane bushings for the trailing arms, and a brand new steering stabilizer. The PO had told me that he never got around to replacing them, so it sounds like another weekend project! (After all, that's why I bought it!)

Larry '71 Super Beetle - "Herman"

No Problem, hope it works for you. Let us know if that helps or not, curious to see if it works in most cases.

I recently drove a 74 super from Vancouver BC to Edmonton, AB, about a 15 hour drive. Mostly at 65mph, but whenever we accelerated past 45mph, we would usually feel the shimmy.

Once I got it home (I bought this car sight unseen) I lowered the tire pressure and have taken it for several drives, and I cant even make it shimmy! The front struts are toast on this thing, and I don't know the condition of the bushings, but I'm sure most of my shimmy was from the bad struts.

With a period car... doesn't hurt to swap out the Steering Dampner... Out of the 15+ bugs that I've driven, have not found any that had a 100% good dampner.

Timmy

Hi.Timmy has a good point.A bad damper will not cause vibrations but a new one won't hurt and they're cheap.Causes run to bent wheels(very common on old cars),tire balance and worn bushings.Some Supers still vibrate-mostly early ones.The ultimate solution is the old Monte Carlo bar between the strut towers.Not too elegant but it always works.My thought is it adds strength to an underdesigned structure or changes the resonance.Anyway it was a popular mod back in the day.Steve

Well, Herman's tracking straight and true now, with no vibration whatsoever.

Cause ... how 'bout such poorly adjusted front bearings that I had almost

All better now.

Thanks, all, for your help.

Larry '71 Super Beetle - "Herman"