1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Thing.

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cegammel
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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by cegammel » Tue Mar 01, 2016 4:38 am

I am confused...Bentley gives instructions for repacking rear bearings up to 1973...my car is a '74...what changes? There is very, very little grease in what used to be my bearings.

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Amskeptic
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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by Amskeptic » Fri Mar 04, 2016 8:59 am

cegammel wrote:I am confused...Bentley gives instructions for repacking rear bearings up to 1973...my car is a '74...what changes? There is very, very little grease in what used to be my bearings.
No change that I know of between '73 and '74. Grease thoroughly yes, but allow for heat expansion. With modern greases being as good as they are (Valvoline fully synthetic), you can afford to use less in the hub cavity.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

cegammel
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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by cegammel » Tue Mar 15, 2016 4:39 pm

Parts came in today, so I began final disassembly. Axle off, stub out...but the oil seals are giving me hell, and of course, I didn't order new ones. Any ideas for getting these out without destroying them?

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asiab3
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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by asiab3 » Tue Mar 15, 2016 11:02 pm

If the axles come out CLEAN, meaning you clean them before pulling them through the fragile seal lips, you MIGHT be able to use a flat brake spoon or dull screwdriver to pry them out. Start with fingers and thumbs first though. Catch and pry by the seal's inner metal ring and you might be ok to reuse. Catch a pry tool on the rubber and 'yer out. Wolfsburg West sells new ones. Colin and I reused my front seals last year because they came out relatively easy with finger pressure only.

Be careful of the rubber o-ring that secures the seal retaining plate to the backing plate. While available new, they can be cleaned carefully and reused. Most people either rip them upon removal or leave them out. (Possibly one because of the other…)

If the seals were installed with some kind of sealing compound, you might just need a Doomer and new seals.

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1969 bus, "Buddy."
145k miles with me.
322k miles on Earth.

cegammel
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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by cegammel » Wed Mar 16, 2016 3:33 am

Let's back up...what is a seal retaining plate? And yeah, axle is dirtydirtydirty. Looks like new seals in my forecast.

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asiab3
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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by asiab3 » Wed Mar 16, 2016 11:24 am

cegammel wrote:Let's back up...what is a seal retaining plate? And yeah, axle is dirtydirtydirty. Looks like new seals in my forecast.
"Bearing retaining cover" seems to be the correct term. Four bolts hold it on, and there's an o-ring behind it. Here is a swing axle bug picture of it being removed, but you get the idea.

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You could get away with a thorough cleaning of your seals followed by an inspection. If the lips are pristine, and the springs still spring, reuse them.

Robbie
1969 bus, "Buddy."
145k miles with me.
322k miles on Earth.

cegammel
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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by cegammel » Wed Mar 16, 2016 1:20 pm

That ship just sailed....ran my punch straight through the lip. So, the seal plate is off and in a vise, and I still can't the dang thing out. I've hammered, begged, and pleaded...no dice. Thanks for picture, btw.

cegammel
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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by cegammel » Wed Mar 16, 2016 5:38 pm

Got it. Glad I ordered a new one. It made me sick to watch an original 1973 date stamped part in perfect condition destroyed by my own hand.

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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by cegammel » Tue Mar 22, 2016 4:47 pm

Axles back together! New brake cylinders on the rear, so the first time this car has had rear brakes since at least '92... unfortunately, I discovered a leaky front cylinder while under there. Adjusting these dual stars is a little tricky...any tips? Also, I have a few rebuild kits, so I will likely make my first attempt at rebuilding cylinders. I've read Colin's roadside rebuilds, but tips there are also appreciated. The rears were frozen totally solid, so a successful rebuild seemed really unlikely.

I have a complete new interior in a box, just as soon as I have interior shop space cleared up...oh, and after my much needed repaint.

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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by Amskeptic » Sun Mar 27, 2016 8:41 am

cegammel wrote:Adjusting these dual stars is a little tricky...any tips?
How so?

Every brake adjuster on Earth has the following fascinating rule:

If YOU are the brake shoe facing the adjusting star,
move the star CLOCKWISE to tighten.

Gitterdun . . .
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

cegammel
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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by cegammel » Sun Mar 27, 2016 1:04 pm

Done. The problem was worrying about getting them equally adjusted...gave up and adjusted. It's back together now, waiting for a sunny day...

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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by cegammel » Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:45 am

On the front brake cylinder: My rebuild kits were for the rears...which are smaller diameter than the fronts. This was news to me. So, I pulled the front cylinder apart, honed it, polished it, and reassembled. Yard tests showed no more leaks. Pull out of the drive this morning...and nothing...pedal to the floor. Two quick pumps brings it back up, so I'm hoping for air in the lines. If not, I'll replace these Varga cylinders with the German offerings from Jbugs.

Also, I got one good swish out of my wipers, and they too died. One thing after another...

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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by Amskeptic » Mon Mar 28, 2016 6:59 pm

cegammel wrote:On the front brake cylinder: My rebuild kits were for the rears...which are smaller diameter than the fronts. This was news to me. So, I pulled the front cylinder apart, honed it, polished it, and reassembled. Yard tests showed no more leaks. Pull out of the drive this morning...and nothing...pedal to the floor. Two quick pumps brings it back up, so I'm hoping for air in the lines. If not, I'll replace these Varga cylinders with the German offerings from Jbugs.

Also, I got one good swish out of my wipers, and they too died. One thing after another...

There is a reason for this epic epistle. I do not know what it is, but there is, Mr. SuperSisyphus.
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

cegammel
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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by cegammel » Tue Mar 29, 2016 3:29 am

Simply put, I make too much money. This is nature's way of balancing the equation and preventing future greed. It is similar to the well known affliction of having too much blood...which necessitates a thorough emptying, typically by way of the knuckles...

I have a stone to roll. This afternoon involves a brake inspection.

cegammel
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Re: 1974 Super beetle, basket case...

Post by cegammel » Sun Jul 10, 2016 2:26 pm

Headliners. Are. Not. Fun. I have had the bug parked since February, first with my brakes, then a ball joint, then a new paint job, and now new interior. This is ridiculous, but the education is worthwhile...I guess. I am tackling the front end bushings, ball joints, and tie rods next week. Anyone know if the OTC front end service kit is any good and /or applicable to the cars?

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