The diagonal arm pivot points on my 71 Super Beetle make a creaking noise as the arms move up and down. It's quite loud and annoying in the cabin.
Can these bushings be lubricated, or is this a sign that the bushings are worn out and require replacement? (The car has ~95K original miles)
71 Super Beetle Rear Diagonal Arms Creaking
- vwlover77
- IAC Addict!
- Location: North Canton, Ohio
- Status: Offline
71 Super Beetle Rear Diagonal Arms Creaking
Don
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78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
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78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: 71 Super Beetle Rear Diagonal Arms Creaking
There is not supposed to be any motion between the bushing and the diagonal arm nor the bushing and the inner sleeve. All diagonal arm movement is supposed to be absorbed by the rubber itself so that there are "no moving parts" to wear out. Your bushings have "petrified" enough to now allow actual slippage. If you were to lubricate this interface, it would be quieter, yes, but wear would accelerate.vwlover77 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 20, 2017 4:34 amThe diagonal arm pivot points on my 71 Super Beetle make a creaking noise as the arms move up and down. It's quite loud and annoying in the cabin.
Can these bushings be lubricated, or is this a sign that the bushings are worn out and require replacement? (The car has ~95K original miles)
Try to obtain new bushings and try to get them properly pressed into the diagonal arms. Oh, and yes, the rear suspension will have to be disassembled, bigly.
Colin
BobD - 1978 Bus . . . . . . . . . . . 112,660 miles
Chloe - 1970 bus . . . . . . . . . . . 206,845 miles
Naranja - 1977 Westfalia . . . . . 112,885 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,570 miles
Alexus - 1991 Lexus LS400 . . . 78,899 miles
Chloe - 1970 bus . . . . . . . . . . . 206,845 miles
Naranja - 1977 Westfalia . . . . . 112,885 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,570 miles
Alexus - 1991 Lexus LS400 . . . 78,899 miles
- vwlover77
- IAC Addict!
- Location: North Canton, Ohio
- Status: Offline
Re: 71 Super Beetle Rear Diagonal Arms Creaking
Ugh. That is what I was afraid of, but it will be worth it to make the rear suspension great again!
Don
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78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
- asiab3
- IAC Addict!
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Re: 71 Super Beetle Rear Diagonal Arms Creaking
Hey Don, keep us updated on the process if you would… My mom's bug squeaks bigly from the rear torsion bushings too.
Robbie
Robbie
1969 bus, "Buddy."
142k miles with me.
319k miles on Earth.
142k miles with me.
319k miles on Earth.