All,
I have a '72 super, with a case of the shimmies. It only occurs between 50-55 MPH, all other times it is rock solid. The shimmy is bad enough that the car is almost undriveable in this range, but as I said all other speeds it is solid. I have also determined that the wheels aren't effected as the car stays straight if you let go of the wheel in this range. Anyone have any idea where I should start looking? Thanks
David
On 17 Oct 2003 18:04:21 -0700, snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net (David McCall) ran around screaming and yelling:
hello david...first and easiest, check your air pressure in the front tires...supers are super(pun intended..LOL) sensitive to front air pressure...then you need to check all the bushings in the front suspension for excessive movement caused by dryrot of the bushings...if you find some, thenit is likely that all need replacing..some suppliers actually offer a "kit" for the front of the supers....all bushings for a proper "tune up" of the front suspension.. J
"David McCall" wrote
It's a classic case of the `Super shimmies' which is a very common problem with Super Beetles. The good news is that it is usually easily fixed.
In addition to Joey's advice, check out this article:
-- Scott
Check / replace the simplest, cheapest things first. Checking for correct tire pressure, as mentoned in the prior post, is about as simple & cheap as it can get, and can / does affect the SB's front end stability.
However, on a 30+ year old car, just about any / everything is fair game for replacement, so things might get expensive as you work your way through the component list.
On my 1971 SB, the main culprit was the original brake drums being out of round - had to replace with new german made pieces.
As intractable as the problem may seem, the shimmies can be cured unless the car has been hit hard in the front, so keep at it!
=================================
" ..... I ain't no bandleader!!"
Also, check your steering damper?. They are very cheap, and relatively easy to fix, but can contribute towards major shakes, especially if you hit a pothole etc.
Neil
Inner trailing arm bushing, use onle OEM German bushing to cure the problem.
J.
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