71 standard tie rods

[heliarc]

Hey guys. I'm down to front tires and a set of tie rod ends before I can finally get my Beetle inspected. I'm figuring since I can see the slop in my outer ends then the inner ones should be replaced as well. I'm confused as to where I should go and exactly what I should get though. I've seen entire assemblies tie rods included, and just the ends for sale. Also I don't want anything Chinese. Brazil, Taiwan, German all would be fine but for anything critical to safety I can't risk it.

What are some good brands to go with, where should I go to get them(online), and should I go for the entire assembly or the loose ends?

[Steve Arndt]

Buy the new ends and re-use your tie rods. The older material is stronger and heavier duty than the new crap. Get German ends if you can, Lamforder (sp). Meyle are good too.

[heliarc]

Thanks Steve. Is it just ease of installation that gets people to buy the entire thing?

[Steve Arndt]

Yes, twice as fast to just swap out the whole thing.

Doing it yourself lets you clean and paint the old tie rods so they look pretty. If you clean up the threads and use liberal amounts of anti-seize it makes the adjustment a breeze for a long, long time.

Also the spring retainers that hold the boots onto the new rod ends are easy to remove. Fill them up with a good thick grease. The new ends don't have enough grease. Same with new balljoints...

[Marc]

As Steve said, the Brazilian tierods aren't made of as thick of steel. They're serviceable enough, though, so I'd have no qualms about using them if yours are bent.

[heliarc]

Ok, I found a place selling the Meyle tie rod ends. Now my problem is that I have no idea what I need. Also, why the heck are these so cheap? Made in China with a German logo?

Anyhow, if someone can confirm that these are the parts I'll be needing I'd be much obliged.

Left inner (this one is marked right hand thread. Is that correct for my Beetle?)
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-stee ... 1415821amy

Left outer (Why is it marked hand thread?)
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-stee ... 1415811cmy

Right inner (mine has the damper so I think this one is easy)
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-stee ... 1415813emy

Right outer
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-stee ... 1415812cmy

[heliarc]

Far as I can see my tie rods aren't mangled so I'll be reusing them. This Beetle has been in the works going on five years now so saving money is more important than a few hours.

[Marc]

Their descriptions are slightly garbled, but those are all the correct part numbers for mid`68-up Standard.

Their photo of the LH inner doesn't show the angle (I suspect it's actually of a 311 415 812C), here's a better view:


They also used the wrong photo for the RH inner, theirs shows the small early stud (113 415 813D). Yours is this one:

[Steve Arndt]

17mm nut and small stub are ~68 and older.
19mm nut and big stub for 1968 and up.

[Marc]

Change was midyear `68, VIN 118857240 was the first with the large stud. Shouldn't be an issue for heliarc's `71 unless someone's installed an early spindle or Pitman arm.

But while we're on the subject, when the tierod stud was enlarged, so was the I.D. of the inner wheel bearing and the grease seal.

[Steve Arndt]

Exactly.

Just make sure you get all your parts for later model type 1 and you will be good.

[heliarc]

Alright, just to make sure, I can go with the ends I have up there? Seems like they're decent on returns/exchanges too so if I do get the wrong part it shouldn't be much of an issue besides waiting a few weeks.

[Marc]

Yes.

LH outer (LH thread, straight) 311 415 811C
RH outer (RH thread, straight) 311 415 812C
LH inner (RH thread, angled) 131 415 821A
RH inner (LH thread, w/damper) 131 415 813E

[heliarc]

Thanks kindly everyone. I hate getting the wrong stuff.

[Steve Arndt]

Depending on your location aircooled.net could have had your parts to you a week ago