i have a 412 that seems to have a different ride height at each corner. if the springs need replaced, can i go ahead and use super beetle fronts from the 73+ line? or is the spring on the front of a 412 a different height/diameter? thanks guys....
this t4 thing is all new to me and i don't have a manual yet
new springs...
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vwfye
- Posts: 1010
- Joined: Sun May 21, 2000 12:01 am
new springs...
Notchback mid-engine speedster
Little Giant Killer 3
Little Giant Killer 3
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raygreenwood
- Posts: 11912
- Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2003 12:01 am
There are no parts on the superbeetle that are even remotely the same...except the idler arm bushing...which is actually from the type 4...and the late model superbeetle strut bushing..which is also a type 4 part #.
Its almost unheard of that the springs from the front end would be bad. They are much much higher rated than the car requires. Though the rears can sag some.....its gnerally not nearly as much as it appears. Its certainly rarely enough to necessitate replacement.
There are several things that make the car sit crooked. (1) the rear shocks being shot will not help this. They are available. (2) The fronts are unnecessarily high. This was a function put into them a the factory to offset loading that huge trunk. It is exacerbated by front shocks being shot, (3) If any of your outer sway bar links are shot...front or rear....it will sit crooked. (4) if any of the rear trailing arm bushings are shot....it will cause that side to sag. This is because the rear trailing arm bushings are solid tubes with knurled ends...cast into bonded rubber bushes. The knurled ends clamp against the sides of the trailing arm bracket. That loads the bonded rubber into a twist. They are an ctive part (albeit unnecessary)...of the suspension. To see if this is the case.....take a pair of 19mm wrenches and loosen the nuts on the eccentric bolts at the inside and outside of the trailing wishbone mounts. Mark the eccentric first so you do not move anything, with a sharpy marker. Then bounce the suspension up and down...and re-tighten.
(5) If the rear wheel camber or toe in is off...it can cause it to sit crooked. (6) make sure your tires and wheels are the same size. Ray
Its almost unheard of that the springs from the front end would be bad. They are much much higher rated than the car requires. Though the rears can sag some.....its gnerally not nearly as much as it appears. Its certainly rarely enough to necessitate replacement.
There are several things that make the car sit crooked. (1) the rear shocks being shot will not help this. They are available. (2) The fronts are unnecessarily high. This was a function put into them a the factory to offset loading that huge trunk. It is exacerbated by front shocks being shot, (3) If any of your outer sway bar links are shot...front or rear....it will sit crooked. (4) if any of the rear trailing arm bushings are shot....it will cause that side to sag. This is because the rear trailing arm bushings are solid tubes with knurled ends...cast into bonded rubber bushes. The knurled ends clamp against the sides of the trailing arm bracket. That loads the bonded rubber into a twist. They are an ctive part (albeit unnecessary)...of the suspension. To see if this is the case.....take a pair of 19mm wrenches and loosen the nuts on the eccentric bolts at the inside and outside of the trailing wishbone mounts. Mark the eccentric first so you do not move anything, with a sharpy marker. Then bounce the suspension up and down...and re-tighten.
(5) If the rear wheel camber or toe in is off...it can cause it to sit crooked. (6) make sure your tires and wheels are the same size. Ray
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Longbeach412
- Posts: 308
- Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2004 6:34 am
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vwfye
- Posts: 1010
- Joined: Sun May 21, 2000 12:01 am
i have to admit thati am a type 4 guy mostly because i can't find a type 3 automatic that i really like in my $ range. having said that, i do like the type 4s... i grew up riding in a neighborhood friend's car that was a 411. i have modest goals for this car right now... commuter on the freeway. it is pretty solid, but the paint has seen better days and the woody siding is not that great anymore. even though i do alot of freeway commuting, i end up behind school busses and have to do alot of shifting in the mornings and i thought the automatic would make my morning more relaxed and start my day less axiously.
Notchback mid-engine speedster
Little Giant Killer 3
Little Giant Killer 3
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raygreenwood
- Posts: 11912
- Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2003 12:01 am
It can do that. But...take a note of some of the back posts on the automatic. I would take the time out to strip and clean and inspect it. Though there is usually not much wrong inside of these....like the 004 four speed in the 411/412....if left to their own devices, and driven....the resulting destruction can leave you with much more to replace than if you simply tore down, cleaned, adjusted and resealed them.
The same.... in spades .....goes for the suspension. All 411/412's...."look" solid, suspension wise. The only way to properly know about such items as the idler arm bushings, center link and ball joints...is to partially disassemble and check the play. In fact....its worthwhile to simply replace as much as you can get your hands on. Ray
The same.... in spades .....goes for the suspension. All 411/412's...."look" solid, suspension wise. The only way to properly know about such items as the idler arm bushings, center link and ball joints...is to partially disassemble and check the play. In fact....its worthwhile to simply replace as much as you can get your hands on. Ray