Front End Super Shakes

BKPREZZ · Post by **BKPREZZ** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 6:56 pm

Just bought a one owner 1971 411 wagon. Need help finding front end center shaft (draglink). Please Help..

ecdez · Post by **ecdez** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 6:14 am

Congratulations on your purchase. Sorry I can't help you with the part though.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 9:30 am

I assume you mean the center tie rod or center link. Not far off...I may be offering rebuilds or rebuild kits. But for now...its parts # in TRW is DS 858. There are still some out there. Generally...TRW dealers can order that part for you. But since TRW was bought by Kelsey Hayes....you should look for a Kelsey hayes dealer. They run a wide range of prices. They range from $69-$179. But bear in mind these things: The primary reasons why the front end shakes on 411/412 is connected to several things. (1) The idler arm bushing causes a lot of this. They are too soft. They do the primary destruction to the centerlink. They are the same part # as the superbeetle. The last year of the super they had a solid bronze replacement bushing. Its a huge improvement...and is the same cost generally. It presses right in. Look for one.(2) The centerlink itself is a weak design. The plastic packing gets cracked with age on the rotating pins...allowing leverage on the pins during steering...to "wallow" out the nylon packing inside. I have a fix that replaces all of that with bronze. For now...even if you get a new center link...take a razor blade and trim off all of the outside visible seal and nylon. Get a stack of bronze washers and file/clearane them to set around both pins and act as a bushing. It must fit rut up against the link and the arm...tight...but not keeping the tapered pin from going all the way into the link. Grease them lightly, then seal the outside with silicone. That bushing keeps the center link from flexing on the pins and tearing up the guts. You will get an extra 50k miles from it this way (3) The radius arm bushings and centering rings are generally shot. (4)...if the car has sat for more than a year....your stock wheels are shot....no kidding...trust me on this one. They take a spread between the beads. It is not detectable by most sloppy balance shops...because they are not bent out of axial alignment. They cause an up and down undualtion of a couple of mm. It causes a hideous vibration.

The stock Mangle brand, replacement "Chromies" wheels of 5.5" wide instead of the stock 4" wide are excellent. They have the stock offset. They allow the use of 205/60-15 tires...which greatly help handling and braking and smoothness...and fit perfect with no rubbing...and look great. The yeun about $45 ea in most mags. Trust me...you also have some strut work and strut bearing work to do. Ray

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 5:10 pm

Ray, sorry I haven't gottin back to ya on this topic..Thanks for the info it will come in real handy... . having trouble finding a warehouse that has one of the centerlinks in stock..working on the r&p thing... going to try and get that set-up together...on your centerlink modification I have a spare (worn-out) one..If I send it to ya do you think you could modify it for me? If so just let me know where to send it and how much..

BKPREZZ · Post by **BKPREZZ** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 5:15 pm

Ray guess I should let you know who posted that last post... It was me BK Prez...

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 9:33 pm

Yes...I can repair it for you. If also...you would be so kind to rate it...and let people here know how it works and what it looks like. I am investigating having a web site designed next week. Ray

BKPREZZ · Post by **BKPREZZ** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 8:31 pm

Would be happy to. You can call me @ 770-365-3665 that is my cell #and I can get your shipping info. And I will ship it out asap. I have went thru most of the past threads and you are very helpfull. I have access to a mill, lathe and a welder if it would be helpfull in fabricating the mounting hardware for the r&p system.... Going to the junkyard tomorrow to look around and see what I can dig up..

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 5:30 pm

Cool...give you a ring this weekend. 770...is that Atlanta? Ray