Lifting a beetle.

I got my cousin's 1971 Beetle a while ago, and its been sitting around in my garage for a bit. With some free time I cleaned it up and poked around, and saw that it had a flat front tyre.

The only problem is that I dont know how to lift the car. I have a jack - not original - but dont know where to begin.

Any pictures of where to do so would be great.

Oh, and I scoured the internet and they said to lift it from the front axle beam, but I havent been able to find anything resembling it. So any pictures would be great - especially if its a 1971 one!

G'day and welcome

Is it a Super or Standard beetle?

Have a read here (Save the link - VERY helpful site)
http://www.vw-resource.com/lift.html

and also here
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=348191&highlight=jack+points

Barry

I think its a 1971 Super Beetle, since the spare lies flat and it says "Volkswagen S" on the back.

Yep - that is a Super

Yep. Use the links above

Ok, so far I understand where to place the jack stands and would just like to make sure it is correct.

In the picture below, the jack would be located "on the outer front corners of the pan", or it can be placed "on the outer edges of the firewall line (just a couple inches ahead of the A-pillar) where you see the "corner" pan to body bolt".

The green location matches both descriptions, but I would just like to be 100% sure.

What I dont understand however is where to jack the car.

I cant use the "bottom tube of the axle beam" because its a super, but I cant find the other location. Here is the description: "The only other place I would recommend jacking the front if you had to (like if you are taking the beam off) is the bulkhead pan area. This is the "Frontest" part of the pan between the firewall and where the axle beam bolts up."

With that description not being able to help me, I found a picture of a 1971 S Bug being lifted. Looking at the picture - first picture - the car is jacked from a rectangular "housing" for the front-most tube (not sure what its called).

This would be fine however, but my car doesnt have this "housing"...

So, would it be fine to jack it up from where the jack stand - in the first picture - is located?

What is your location? Maybe there is someone close by that can help.

Termin8rDylan wrote:I found a picture of a 1971 S Bug being lifted. Looking at the picture - first picture - the car is jacked from a rectangular "housing" for the front-most tube (not sure what its called).

That housing is non standard. looks like a custom job for a tow rope or something

Termin8rDylan wrote:So, would it be fine to jack it up from where the jack stand - in the first picture - is located?

yes

If I am "just changing a tire" I would jack at the frame head offset to that wheel side so as the other wheel in still on the ground

If I am doing work I would use a "spreader" piece of wood under the body bolts and lift and put a jack stand at the "jack stand point"

Otherwise lift at the centre of the frame head, jack stand one side and then lower. Lift where the jack stand is in the first picture

ALWAYS use jack stands especially if you are getting under.

Use the stock jack ONLY in emergencies
I would never use one of those pressed steel scissor wind things of a newer car

Personally I use a trolley jack as it has a nice "cup" to hold/support.

Bottle jacks are strong but if they only have a "spot" to support it can be a concern the amount of pressure

If you are close to 2046 let me know

Bizarre is right, that rectangle bit is not standard. It is the mounting point for an A frame tow hitch and you shouldn't put the jack under the sway bar. I typically lift mine from the front frame head sort of in between where the jack stand is and the jack itself in the photo that shows the rectangle tow hitch frame. Put a bit of timber between the floor jack and the pan and you will be fine. If you want to do one side then I just jack it at the 2 bolts at the frame head to pan area you highlighted in green in the first photo. Also as Bizarre says, if you are getting under the car, put floor stands underneath first and lower the jack and take it away.

Yogie

Ah, thanks for everything!

I now understand where i can jack the car from, either from the Jack Point (yellow) or the "Jack Stand Point" (green).

I will change the tyre later today, just need to get a piece of wood, and thanks again for everything!