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Re: 1972 Beetle - Want Advice on Replacing Front Suspension/Steering Linkages

Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 3:07 pm
by perrib
Your old front tires were bad. The one that failed was most likely the culprit. Checking the alignmnet can't hurt. Most places won't have the tools or even care to adjust your camber.

Re: 1972 Beetle - Want Advice on Replacing Front Suspension/Steering Linkages

Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 4:44 pm
by rrb6699
yea, I can let go of the wheel and it goes straight now. before I got new tires it would pull hard left if I did the same thing.

thats why I asked if tires could do this. they were cheap tires to begin with.

Re: 1972 Beetle - Want Advice on Replacing Front Suspension/Steering Linkages

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 6:30 pm
by drexter
rrb6699 wrote: Fri Nov 03, 2017 6:45 pm UPDATE:
I put the splines back in the beam by putting the bottom ones in until they showed up on the other end cap. then I put the top splines thru since I knew they would rest on the ones I just put through.

Well once I put the other splines through they showed up on the other end cap, but one of the smallest ones wouldn't make the trip through the other end of the beam. After several minutes of trying I just decided to pull that one out. So all the splines are in except for that one very small one.

There doesn't seem to be any issue with the steering but I still did have quite a pull to the left while driving. Eventually one of my front tires developed a knot due to tread separation. As I already had two new tires on the back, I put two new tires on the front. Once the new tires were on the front my pull left while driving disappeared.

I just wonder if it's out of alignment, or if the tires that were on the front before were actually causing the steering to pull to the left because the steel belts were seperated and causing a roll off center of the tires? I hope I'm clear on explaining this.

opinions on this post, especially the steering pull going away after buying new tires for the front?

rr
How's the pulling on the left so far? Did you do the alignment on 4 corners as suggested? We will be working on a Beetle after the new shocks and fender flares on the current truck project. The owner said it was developing a slight pull to the left, the tires are not new and not old either. We'll see if the alignment will resolve it.

Re: 1972 Beetle - Want Advice on Replacing Front Suspension/Steering Linkages

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 7:08 pm
by rrb6699
I actually had to go out of town. I have a vw shop for classics closer than I thought. I'm going by there after thanksgiving. will update you then.

Re: 1972 Beetle - Want Advice on Replacing Front Suspension/Steering Linkages

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2017 6:36 pm
by drexter
rrb6699 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 7:08 pm I actually had to go out of town. I have a vw shop for classics closer than I thought. I'm going by there after thanksgiving. will update you then.
Alright, looking forward to the updates. TIA

Re: 1972 Beetle - Want Advice on Replacing Front Suspension/Steering Linkages

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2017 8:48 pm
by rrb6699
I'm just gonna have things like alignment and some opinions about other stuff. I'll do the work. Maybe see what parts he has.