Hi all,
So recently I've noticed that when I push down on the front bumper the car does not spring down or spring back up when I release it - it basically sits solidly. However, I am able to lift the car up at the front bumper, but when I release it it sinks back down on the shocks to its original solid spot.
Does anyone know what this means? What should I do? Are my front shocks dead?
Thanks,
Lincoln
'70 VW Type 3 Fastback
Whens the last time you greased the torsion bar bushes?
There are four grease nipples, one on either side on both upper and lower beams when viewed from the front, they like a lot of grease about every 5000km!
How long has it been like this? It may have been lowered on the splines or 1 of the the torsion bars may be broken,it is unusual for 2 bar to break simultaneously.
Thanks jedsgpz and grumble.
The car was serviced recently and there appeared to be fresh grease on the grease nipples you mentioned jedsgpz. I only noticed the stiffness in the suspension the other day, but I think it has been like that for the past week or so.
Anyway, I drove it down the street today and had a look at it and mysteriously the front end suspension is free again and springing back when weight is applied at the front. Anyone know why it might have seized up like it did?
If I put grease into those four grease nipples, can I allow the grease to spill out either end of the upper and lower beams, or are there any seals in the beams which might get damaged because of this?
❓
Cheers
'70 VW Type 3 Fastback
can be the upper swaybar end float set too tight. had the same problem with mine.
if not, can be seized/sticky ball joints.
when looking for my problem, I released the lower arms and joints as I needed to correct the uneven ride height set by previous "VW specialist" and found that lower control arms and all ball joints moved like butter, so only thing was the upper arms. End float was set too tight.
start with the basics.
remove the shockers first to eliminate possible faulty shocks, work from there.
71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE
Thanks for the tips vlad01.
I will check soon and hopefully can identify what was/is wrong with it.
Cheers
'70 VW Type 3 Fastback
Yup I'd say the end bolt on the torsion bar has been nipped up till it hits home. Without understanding the design it's easy to assume it needs to be fully tightened till it stops turning or it might come apart but it's designed to set the float between the the top arms and the thrust bush. You lock it in place with the lock washer and grub screw.
Hi all,
Have been pretty busy of late so haven't gotten around to following up looking at the front end. Thanks for some of the technicals eXraycer. The front suspension has been working fine, so I wonder if it still is necessary to check it out? - Perhaps only start fiddling if it comes back?? Thoughts?
'70 VW Type 3 Fastback
Double checking things would hurt anyone. Best investment is buying the Bentley manual and checking the bolts and grub screws that hold your front end together.
