Strange clunk, can anyone help me???

47 posts · joined Apr 2010 · 26 Aug 2010, 10:26 am

#798611

I have a 1972 Superbug and I'm having a few problems.

It seems that everytime I take off in 1st or Reverse after she's been sitting for a while (in the mornings and afternoons after work) There is a massive clunk and it feels like the left rear of the car is lifting up a bit... It feels like I've run over something.

We're all a bit stumped, We've put new engine mounts in, but its still happening, and there's no problem with the chassis, does anyone know what this could be???

Please help. Thanks.

HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 26 Aug 2010, 10:44 am

#798613

You may have to whip off the L/H rear brake drum, and check for a 'sticking' wheel cylinder or shoe. If the wheel cylinder is stuck/leaking, it would be a good idea to renew BOTH rears, and if they haven't been done for a while, check the fronts too. I'm sure you know how important it is to have good brakes.

I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

bajachris88 The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 6

6,661 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 26 Aug 2010, 10:58 am

#798616

i second that!

If u try to drive away with the handbrake on going forward the rear will naturally dip, and when in reverse, should 'raise' and do the opposite, simply cause of the torsion bar suspension involved.

Knowing this, (and after a sesh of pretending that there was some wild back seat action in the bug whilst wearing out the clutch at the lights....😏) it could be the very source of ur problems.

goodluck 👍

(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!

Iris-the-lovebug Casual Dubber

47 posts · joined Apr 2010 · 26 Aug 2010, 1:31 pm

#798649

HappyDaze wrote:You may have to whip off the L/H rear brake drum, and check for a 'sticking' wheel cylinder or shoe. If the wheel cylinder is stuck/leaking, it would be a good idea to renew BOTH rears, and if they haven't been done for a while, check the fronts too. I'm sure you know how important it is to have good brakes.

Thanks, I'll make sure I check that out. would that have any effect on my brakes???
Because after the little prang I noticed the brakes aren't as touchy as they were.

Iris-the-lovebug Casual Dubber

47 posts · joined Apr 2010 · 26 Aug 2010, 1:34 pm

#798650

bajachris88 wrote:i second that!

If u try to drive away with the handbrake on going forward the rear will naturally dip, and when in reverse, should 'raise' and do the opposite, simply cause of the torsion bar suspension involved.

Knowing this, (and after a sesh of pretending that there was some wild back seat action in the bug whilst wearing out the clutch at the lights....😏) it could be the very source of ur problems.

goodluck 👍

Thanks, though I always double check I don't have my handbrake on, and it only seems to happen after she's been sitting for a while, it doesn't happen when I'm out and about or when I'm driving. I thought that was too much of a coincidence.
Thanks

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 26 Aug 2010, 2:45 pm

#798657

One of my cars had a leaky rear wheel cylinder on one side, everytime it sat for a few hours the brakefluid on the shoe would partially glue the shoe to the drum

Would make the car pull up on that side when taking off and give a nice BANG when it let go 😂

Sounds eggzactly like what yours is doing

have a look at the back of your passenger side rear brake
brake fluid tends to make the dirt go black and damp looking

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 26 Aug 2010, 3:32 pm

#798667

Iris-the-lovebug wrote:I have a 1972 Superbug and I'm having a few problems.

It seems that everytime I take off in 1st or Reverse after she's been sitting for a while (in the mornings and afternoons after work) There is a massive clunk and it feels like the left rear of the car is lifting up a bit... It feels like I've run over something.

We're all a bit stumped, We've put new engine mounts in, but its still happening, and there's no problem with the chassis, does anyone know what this could be???

Please help. Thanks.

that means your brakes are on....
so, either a spring has broken etc
or the cylinder is leaking...
check your brake reservoir to see if the fluid is going down..

or brake fluid dripping on the tyre/wheel..

lee

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 · 26 Aug 2010, 10:49 pm

#798764

Joel wrote:One of my cars had a leaky rear wheel cylinder on one side, everytime it sat for a few hours the brakefluid on the shoe would partially glue the shoe to the drum

Would make the car pull up on that side when taking off and give a nice BANG when it let go 😂

Sounds eggzactly like what yours is doing

have a look at the back of your passenger side rear brake
brake fluid tends to make the dirt go black and damp looking

+1 on that.

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 26 Aug 2010, 11:47 pm

#798776

Hi
Definately the brakes doing that....

I know mine used to do it in reverse when I used the handbrake
one side of the rear end used to go up in the air...
although no noise..
so, Your brake shoe goes bank when it lets go of the brake drum...

The biggest job is undoing the axle nut... 36mm...
VERY VERY Tight...
then take the brake drum off...
and fix what ever needs fixing....
nothing in the rear brakes is expensive to fix....
even if You replaced everythiing.. lol

cheers

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Iris-the-lovebug Casual Dubber

47 posts · joined Apr 2010 · 1 Sep 2010, 4:18 pm

#799778

Hi Guys,

Thanks to everyone for your opinions and comments, You guys were right!!!! 👍

It was a leaky rear wheel cylinder, so the shoe was sticking to the drum overnight and after any long time parked. Mystery solved!!!!!

So thanks again everyone, you really helped me out. 👍