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Volkswagen Beetle Steering and Suspension Problems

12 messages,  Last post on Mar 15, 2010 at 5:55 AM

You are in the Volkswagen Beetle Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volkswagen New Beetle, Volkswagen, Steering, Suspension

Messages Page 2 of 2

#6 of 12 2002 Turbo Beetle - New Tires/Alignment by chericarter

Mar 24, 2009 (12:41 pm)

I just got 4 new tires for my 2002 Turble S Beetle - Mastercraft Touring LSR P225/45R17 and an alignment for the total cost of $642.74. I was told that because the camber is still out (1.2 and 0.2 on the front and 1.9 and 1.1 on the rear) that I will now need to pay another $300 to get an aftermarket product to be able to fully align the camber. He said that VW doesn't provide the means to adjust the camber to where it should be. Are you serious? That would be almost $1000 for 4 tires! I didn't get it done, but he has assured me that the life span of my 80,000 mile tires will now be much much less. Help!!!

#7 of 12 Re: 2002 Turbo Beetle - New Tires/Alignment [chericarter] by pf_flyer HOST

Mar 24, 2009 (4:18 pm)

Replying to: chericarter (Mar 24, 2009 12:41 pm)
Did you go to aftermarket wheels? Just wondering because you said you got tires and an alignment. If the camber is still out, then what did you pay for? Or was the camber still out because of different wheels and now you need something to allow the camber to be adjusted? Just trying to figure out why you have an uncorrected alignment issue.
 
He IS right that if your alignment is out of whack it WILL eat up your tires in some way.

#8 of 12 Lost Key by melshout

Jul 21, 2009 (12:15 pm)

I've got an old Gazelle replica built off a VW chassis with all it's components. The problem is, it's been sitting in storage for about 10 years and I can't locate the key. Would it be easier to bypass the ignition key and switch and just install a push button to start? If so, how do I drill out the steering lock? Any help will be appreciated.

#9 of 12 New Beetle rear axle bent by lenmikelcook

Sep 02, 2009 (1:27 pm)

2005 New Beetle, 55,000 miles. Put new tires on rear 5 months ago, 5,000 miles on them and insides of both tires completely worn. Can not adjust rear wheels. Dealer says axle is bent. We bought car new, no accidents, no major trauma. Does not sound right to me. Any similar problems out there?

#10 of 12 Rear bent axle by mandy10

Oct 23, 2009 (10:58 am)

lenmikelcook - I have an 05 New Beetle, only 45,000 miles and am experiencing the same problem. While driving to work, I caught a curb which didnt seem like a big deal. I thought it would just be the allignment. However, when I took it to get the alignment adjusted, they told me I had bent the axle and it would need to be replaced. Hello $1,400. However, what I thought was interesting is that the dealerships keep these axles in stock all the time. Apparently it is a very common problem and easy to do (It was just a curb). Perhaps it was just a matter of hitting one to many potholes? Either way, just know that it is very common with VWs.

#11 of 12 Re: Rear bent axle [mandy10] by pf_flyer HOST

Oct 23, 2009 (11:53 am)

Replying to: mandy10 (Oct 23, 2009 10:58 am)
"Just" a curb? You biff a curb and something IS going to bend and generally going to be a big deal on any vehicle. And as far as dealers keeping axles in stock, that may have more to do with the number of distracted drivers on the road than a "problem" with a vehicle. Here's a photo of a short stretch of road in my neck of the woods. See that bike lane that disappears on the right side of the road? The curb there is painted bright yellow, there are reflective posts, there's that white line marking the edge of the lane, and I've still personally seen three vehicles drive straight into that curb. And there are new marks on it almost as soon as they repaint it.
 

#12 of 12 68 vw bug by nomoluv4tru

Mar 15, 2010 (5:55 am)

OK.. I have a 68 bug with camber issues on the both front tires.. I haven't really worked on bugs so i don't know whats all involved with the suspension on these.. is it just as easy as adjusting to toe in/out?

Messages Page 2 of 2

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