Itinerant Air-Cooled

Hello,

My 76 Bug has odd to me noise from front. The noise sounds like a coffee can almost packed full of marbles given a single shake. It is most pronounced when the front end comes down after cresting a speed bump. Still present with empty frunk and freshly greased beam. The shocks are very old, but I can't find any play in the ball joints. My mind goes to the torsion rods rubbing together, but I have no reference or evidence.

Thanks.

JRR wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 12:09 pm

Hello,

My 76 Bug has odd to me noise from front. The noise sounds like a coffee can almost packed full of marbles given a single shake. It is most pronounced when the front end comes down after cresting a speed bump. Still present with empty frunk and freshly greased beam. The shocks are very old, but I can't find any play in the ball joints. My mind goes to the torsion rods rubbing together, but I have no reference or evidence.

Thanks.

Grasp wheels and shake vigorously. No clonking allowed. 6 and 12 for wheel bearings and even horrid ball joints, 9 and 3 for tie rods and steering box. Track this down. It is important.
Remove shocks all together to test them. Short test drive. Noise gone?
Empty trunk, reeeeaaaaaallllllyyyyy??????????? I have seen jack levers rattling in the jack holder (no jack).
Loose gas tank? Bad inner tie rod joint?
Colin??

Does your ‘76 have McPherson strut front suspension?

asiab3 wrote: ↑

Sat May 11, 2019 11:21 am

Does your ‘76 have McPherson strut front suspension?

He quoth, "freshly greased beam", I assumed regular bug, yes? no? caller, are you there?

Hello, sorry not able to reply quickly. Std beetle yes. Had 1 full day of no rain yesterday and had to frenetically catch up on everything else. Thankfully it is raining and 48F again and I can continue more important work. Will do as prescribed and report back. Thanks a bunch.

JRR wrote: ↑

Sun May 12, 2019 9:04 am

Hello, sorry not able to reply quickly. Std beetle yes. Had 1 full day of no rain yesterday and had to frenetically catch up on everything else. Thankfully it is raining and 48F again and I can continue more important work. Will do as prescribed and report back. Thanks a bunch.

We'll be here ... in fits and starts.
ColinNoRain!Please! (it's raining, of course)

Hello,

No creaks or clomps when manhandling the wheels. The joints seem solid and boots intact.

Removed the red "IP" brand front shocks. (Must be relics from the pre-internet era. Looked them up for kicks, could not find anything.) I think I found the culprit in the PS lower shock bushing. Wiggling the shock to remove the lower mount I could recreate close to the culprit sound. The steel bushing had welded itself to the bolt and the rubber bit squeaked loudly as the shock moved even a little bit.

Bounced the front end vigorously (comically) and no offending sounds. Did not drive it, was dark, in the rain, with no front damping. Will give spin today hopefully.

Thanks again.

Hello,

Installed new shocks. No more noise. From my short drive to work today over our cratered roads, I recommend the cofaps i bolted on for a very plush ride.

Thanks.

JRR wrote: ↑

Wed May 15, 2019 4:30 am

Hello,

Installed new shocks. No more noise. From my short drive to work today over our cratered roads, I recommend the cofaps i bolted on for a very plush ride.

Thanks.

Got link? I just noted my brand new Sachs shocks on Chloe are creaking after a year of sitting. That means rubber is moving inside of eyelets. For crying out loud.
Colin

Sure thing:

Cofap 113413031EBR Shock Absorber US $29.80ea. Got mine in 2-3 days.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cofap-11341303 ... SwjIta42SP

Not as firm/harsh ride as KYB G-2's I put on my last beetle. Don't know how they will handle extra weight of a bus. Instructions note to manually compress and rebound to displace air prior to installation. You will be able to feel them get consistent firmness throughout stroke. Keep the nuts from old set. Only comes with one nut per shock.

I never-seized the bottom mount this time to allow for easy removal next time.

Thanks

Jeff