Official "Super Beetle" lowering topic

[Glenn]

We constantly get asked “how do I lower my car”, so this is will be a “sticky” so that we don’t have to answer the same question over and over again.

Please post descriptions, pictures and parts needed to lower a MacPhearson Strut front end.

There will be a similar topic for Ball Joint beam in the Late Model forum and a Link Pin topic in the Beetle forun. So SuperLink Beetle only here.

Please keep this technical and no BS’ing.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

[the caveman]

I'll try to make this as clear as possible:
-i already had bilsteins on the front which made the front really "look"
too high.
-bought the aftermarket adjustable struts, installed them in the middle position- i think a 1 1/2 inch drop-theoretically, but because of the bilsteins, the front barely dropped.
-installed the recommened strut inserts-machined rabbit shocks, and voila, the front dropped down.
- when i drove with essentially stock shocks i found the handling pretty poor compared to the gas bilsteins that i had before.
-took my original struts, cut the weld for the spring base, marked them 3/4 inch lower and had them welded up professionally, reinstalled the bilsteins. the car still sits a little up in the front, but it's better than stock and handles great.
my other issue was that i found the aftermarket adjustable struts much thinner that original, although i'm sure they would be okay for most people.
- if i had to do it again i would still cut and weld the struts but get some heavier duty shock inserts and machine them to get some decent handling.
- if you're gonna be just cruising and racing or don't have tons of extra power[ like me] then i would buy the aftermarket adjustable struts and the now available lowering springs.
hope this wasn't too long-goog luck to all you super owners

[Dazed42]

I put some maxx struts on the front and it is working out pretty well.
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[rzepko6194]

I installed Topline springs with stock oil filled struts. This lowered the front end about 1 1/2" and now it's level with the rear. I also installed Topline front end bushings at the same time. The handling is considerably better and the ride is just as good as before.

You'll need MAXX struts to lower it further.

JP

79' Vert

[nobrakes]

I used the sport springs from CIP1 on my stock housings and inserts, it dropped the front about 1" enough so it sits level now and handles great also did the urethane bushings all around.
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If your not workin or cleanin your not looking hard enough.

[riahs69]

What I done to my Super is I Bought the Ajustable strut towers and A pair of Empi nLowered strut cartriges And used the stock spring. I set the strut @ the the fourth mark up from the bottem . I felt a huge ride difference ,I have been driving it for 2 weeks now And would not go back to original height , the only thing I would recommmend is that you dont use the 165/15r I would go with a 145r15 Low profile tire it rubs alittle w/165s. Tell me what think but this is what I'D Go With It's A cool Look.

[1971super]

i put a set of bugpack adjustable struts, two new empi oil filled shocks, kept the stock springs on an put the adjustment 3 clicks from the bottom. I have 195/6015's and they rubbed with people over 120 lbs in the passenger seat. I had to roll my fender a little bit but now its fine. Ide go with something a litttle lower profile and not so wide though if your a big person. But with me and hendles amazing. I can take a 25 mph corner at 50+ its nice, after lowering in ide never ride stock height again.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=235141

[elim]

I want to raise my car up a little bit, but don't want to take the adjustable struts completely off the car and take them apart using a spring compressor in order to raise the little ring up some notches. Is there a tool made so that I can raise it a notch or 2 while the strut is still on the car?

[the caveman]

why don't you try it and tell us. we used to change inserts without taking the strut out off the car. just remove the bearing nuts and CAREFULLY push the whole assembly down far enough to pull the top of the strut out.

[taza_one]

Can't wait to lower mine.

[motormike40]

I just got done clipping a coil on each then heating them, so now it sits even, I love the look, and it handles much better then stock, and the ride quailty isnt bad at all, much better then I expected it be. Ill post pix tomm, for y'all

[vwboy256]

my 72' at stock height

my 72' lowered

look at all the exhausts ive been through..lol

[bandido]

got a another question for anyone. I just got the super low kit (adjust-a-strut, sway bar, etc..) from topline and I wanted to know how far i can lower my stock 73 super while using my stock wheels and tires I have on now.....I called topline and talked to someone who told me 3" but did not sound 100% sure when he answered my question.

[VeroDubs]

If I lower the front of my super, do I have to put wider than stock fenders? I have a 74, with the adjustable lowering struts..

[theredbarn]

Can you still use your stock fenders? Yes, providing the wheels you use have the correct offset.

I have a 74 and I'd rathar spent the money on a hot motor and drive train than custom wheels. A lot of the wheels commonly available to fit the 4x130 bolt pattern will not work on the front of a super. Believe me I've tried out quite a few. I'm having good luck with simple 5.5" chrome VW style wheels but even they will not allow me to lower the car so the stock fender will lap over the tire. I'm happy with the look of the chrome wheela nd wolfsberg hubcaps though and I like having the 195x60's on the front so I'm going to go with wider fenders for the front. (1.25"). I'll also go with a wider rear fender and use the 7" chrome wheel from Jbugs on the rear with a 215x50. I'll need the rubber back there when I get my 2L built!

Go with the topline parts when ever you can. I've never had a fitment issue or a bad part from them. My current tally from them is:

adjustable struts and inserts
sport springs
steering dampener
tie-rod ends and one new tie-rod (had a bent one)
7/8" front sway bar
3/4"rear sway bar
front disk brake kit
polly bushings for the front
polly gromets for the rear

My biggest complaint so far has been trying to find an alignment guy who will set the front end to MY specs. There's nothing stock about the suspension on my car and there is no reason to set it to factory specs. But trying to get someone to set camber at a reasonable -0.5 deg. is becomming impossible! But set with the best compromise I've been able to get it corners great! The ride is tight and the body roll ai substantially reduced.

[wingsorion]

I need to lower the rear of my 71 super. I want to do it just by adjusting the torsion bars. can somebody please fill me in on how to do this? I already have the empi adj. front struts & inserts, along with the strut tower brace. I just don't know how torsion bars work. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[theredbarn]

Great link here...http://www.acvw.com/article.asp?DetailID=32 best I've read or seen for lowering the rear of an IRS.

[LisasBuggin808]

Just got myself a 1972 German Superbeetle... Just wondering what I need to lower my baby... Do I only need front springs? are they the same as the back? thanks!!!

[Glenn]

[VeroDubs]

Hey,

I just was looking at a sway bar for sale here on the samba for $50. If my super is lowered will this work? It is a 22mm sway bar! Thanks for the advice. Also is a stabilizer bar worth the money? Or is it just for looks?