The car was finally back on its wheels today and feels so much firmer than it did the huge bounce when you lean on the front of the car has gone!!!
The amount of machining of parts has been a little more extensive than we first thought but it seems worth it so far. As well as a spacer going under the skirt of the replacement super beetle strut mount bearing we have made up a cup to go on the top of the mounting point to hold everything together when the vehicle is jacked up as just a washer did not seem to be suitable.
However, it was sitting a tad too nose high still (a good 3-4 inch gap between the top of the tyre and the lower lip of the wheel arch) so we have decided to lower it about an inch to bring it back to level.
Looking at the lack of compression on the spring (not sure what happened here but they tell me they did not need to use spring compressors to reassemble the struts) it would appear the easiest way is to remove an inch from the bottom of the spacer that is in the strut keeping the insert in place and relocating this inch to the top of the insert, which in effect would compress the spring and lower the car by the desired amount.
OR would it be better to lower the shoulder that the top spring plate sits on on the adaptor an inch? Looking at the way the adaptor has all gone together, the spacer in the insert seems the easiest option but is it the best?
Anyway just this little snag to overcome then set up the front geometry and hopefully have back in time to put it in the Type 3&4 line-up at VW Action at Santa Pod at the end of the month.
An update on the strut rebuilds
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raygreenwood
- Posts: 11906
- Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2003 12:01 am
Wait a few before you do anything. What you are getting is not quite right.
DO NOT put a spacer between the cartridge and the top strut cap. Only under the bottom.
Also bear in mind, you have a 411. There was a 13mm spacer that was unique to either 411 or 412...can't remember which, that went between the step on the strut rod before the bushing from te hbump stop goes on.
Also...which cartridge parts number, make and stiffness did you use? iE...KYB GR2 or gas-a-just?
Also, the distance (gap) from top spring plate right at the lower edge...to the bottom spring perch should be about 18". I am going off memory on that one.
If they did not use spring compressors to install teh springs...tnen you either have the wrong strut cartridge or the worng dimensions on the stub.
In its raw form....the new strut cartridge should be so short that it is nearly impossiblr to compress the spring far enough to reach the strut bushing. Let me re look at your pictures to see what I can see. Ray
DO NOT put a spacer between the cartridge and the top strut cap. Only under the bottom.
Also bear in mind, you have a 411. There was a 13mm spacer that was unique to either 411 or 412...can't remember which, that went between the step on the strut rod before the bushing from te hbump stop goes on.
Also...which cartridge parts number, make and stiffness did you use? iE...KYB GR2 or gas-a-just?
Also, the distance (gap) from top spring plate right at the lower edge...to the bottom spring perch should be about 18". I am going off memory on that one.
If they did not use spring compressors to install teh springs...tnen you either have the wrong strut cartridge or the worng dimensions on the stub.
In its raw form....the new strut cartridge should be so short that it is nearly impossiblr to compress the spring far enough to reach the strut bushing. Let me re look at your pictures to see what I can see. Ray
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wshawn
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2007 6:36 am
Hi Ray I have a 412, not sure what difference that would make, howver looking at your diagram of the strut adaptor I'm wondering if we have got the length of it wrong, shall double check this first.
As for the inserts, UK stockist do not list KYB GR2 but have them listed as
365008 KYB front shock audi. As far as I could assertain these are not gas-a-just. (hope these are the right inserts otherwise I've made a huge mess of things)
However thinking about it there was a metal spacer that sits inside the bump stop that if memory serves me is about 2 inches in length and we assumed that this was needed, would we have been better of leaving out the bump stump and dust cover?
If it is not a silly question why is a bad thing to do to put the spacer between the cartridge and top cap?
Just found this on a US site so I'm pretty sure I have the correct insert,
KYB GR-2 Cartridge Product Details
Front Fitment
Housing: Cartridge Insert
Non Adjustable
Note: Front fitment
Price: $39.00 (each)
Estimated Availability: Fewer than 3
Manufacturer Part #: 365008
As for the inserts, UK stockist do not list KYB GR2 but have them listed as
365008 KYB front shock audi. As far as I could assertain these are not gas-a-just. (hope these are the right inserts otherwise I've made a huge mess of things)
However thinking about it there was a metal spacer that sits inside the bump stop that if memory serves me is about 2 inches in length and we assumed that this was needed, would we have been better of leaving out the bump stump and dust cover?
If it is not a silly question why is a bad thing to do to put the spacer between the cartridge and top cap?
Just found this on a US site so I'm pretty sure I have the correct insert,
KYB GR-2 Cartridge Product Details
Front Fitment
Housing: Cartridge Insert
Non Adjustable
Note: Front fitment
Price: $39.00 (each)
Estimated Availability: Fewer than 3
Manufacturer Part #: 365008
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wshawn
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2007 6:36 am
Have just spoken to Brian and he thinks we might have got the measurments between the two sets of diagrams you sent a little wrong.
He is going to dimantle the struts again today, double check the measurements and take the shoulder down the adaptor to the correct measurement and then see how it sits.
Other than this small set back, which to be honest we did expect one or two teething problems, we are very happy with the way the mods have worked and like me he wants to see how much better she drives.
He is going to dimantle the struts again today, double check the measurements and take the shoulder down the adaptor to the correct measurement and then see how it sits.
Other than this small set back, which to be honest we did expect one or two teething problems, we are very happy with the way the mods have worked and like me he wants to see how much better she drives.
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raygreenwood
- Posts: 11906
- Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2003 12:01 am
By the way...the KYB Gas-a-justs for the rear should still be available.
You can see pictures and #'s here:
http://www.showmetheparts.com/kyb/
The years for the E-150 econoline 1/2 ton are 1977 thru 1991. that part # should be KYKG5410
Also list for either 1977-1991 or 1983-1991 E-250, and e-350 1 ton part # KYKG 5406.
These will both work.
These are FRONT shock part #'s to be sure for these vehicles though we use them on the rear.
They are the identical crossmatch in valving and all internal dimensions to what our cars used. the only difference is lower bushing. You need to add some spacer washers to these and then you are done. Ray
You can see pictures and #'s here:
http://www.showmetheparts.com/kyb/
The years for the E-150 econoline 1/2 ton are 1977 thru 1991. that part # should be KYKG5410
Also list for either 1977-1991 or 1983-1991 E-250, and e-350 1 ton part # KYKG 5406.
These will both work.
These are FRONT shock part #'s to be sure for these vehicles though we use them on the rear.
They are the identical crossmatch in valving and all internal dimensions to what our cars used. the only difference is lower bushing. You need to add some spacer washers to these and then you are done. Ray
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wshawn
- Posts: 209
- Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2007 6:36 am
I'm assuming that the GR-2s would be too soft for the rear, is this why the Gas-a-just for the rear of our Type 4s is the way to go...still trying to find a UK stockist for them but none seem to recognise the KYKG prefix as they all want a six figure part number.
By the way the link is very useful, out of the two Gas-a-just which one is better suited to our cars, the 1/2 ton or the 3/4 ton shocks? Or is there very little difference?
By the way the link is very useful, out of the two Gas-a-just which one is better suited to our cars, the 1/2 ton or the 3/4 ton shocks? Or is there very little difference?