Ok this also has me baffled. The wheels tyre on passenger side front is rubbing against the coil spring. at the top of wheel. This occured as the car was in an accident with a small tree. I am not used to this sort of front end but assume the adjustment to rectify would be either the tie bar, lower control arm or sway bar (or maybe a mixture of all). Any idea which one, or do I just experiment? Once running and the tyre is away from the coil spring I will get it adjusted by a pro but want to get it free at this stage.
David

It would be helpful if you took some pics. Is it a two or three bold mcpherson strut??

Absolutely no idea to be honest. I never even heard of Mcpherson till I went looking for the non existant shock absorbers on front end and then started some research. Will look tomorrow and post some pics. Just like to say thanks all for such swift advice. This beetle is going to be going in no time with such helpfull and expert advice.
David

There are 2 bolt (71 - mid 73) and 3 bolt (73 - 75)

Any trace of damage where the strut bolts to the body??

More than likely the strut itself or enen the control arm

Pictures may help

wrong ofset wheels go stock and all will be better IF YOU HAVE A STOCK SPARE TRY IT

Hi

If the wheels are the same side 2 side its could be a bent stub axle or strut.

Steve

Ok have now taken pictures and have found what I think is the problem but cant understand why it is top of wheel rubbing with this problem? Dont reply yet as I am gonna start loading pictures and explain things as I go. Will let you know when finished

Ok this is the pictures, so need to know whether it is 2 or 3 bolt Mac. I cannot find any breakages or bends other than the angle of the disc plate. This appears to be bent down and when I rotate it by hand, it is certainly hitting at the bottom with the backking plate. This really confuses me, because as can be seen from other pictures the wheels tyre is hitting at the top of spring coil ! With the angle of disc going out at top, it should be hitting at the bottom me thinks?. The tyre also when on full steering lock to right, hits the body.
None of this occurs on the drivers side and there is a good inch and a half gap between tyre and coil on that side.

FINISHED (I THINK)

I think I can see 3 bolts at bottom of the strut

Do i need to take pics at different angle? here is two of the drivers side (which is good)

tis 3 bolt
is it just me but the left strut looks bent in the1st and 3rd pic

have you checked for play in the wheel bearings and balljoint?

i'd be trying another left strut cos that one looks seriously bent

Yeh thats the first thing I saw as well

Joel's right...

what number is third pic lol. I cant work out anything bent other than disc angle No actually I have not but will. But that disc is def at a weird angle. Somethin is wrong

Stub axle might be bent as well....

THAT is bent

It is a banana

Tis bent indeed

Why did I not notice that. Here is good side and comparing pictures can see. But I never saw when comparing under car? I guess that would also straighten dics angle as well. Anyway gonna sleep well on all this great advice. thanks all till tomorrow

yer buy a set of complete adjustable lowered struts and then it will match the sagged rear end.

I just went and had a look again and really could not notice kink like u can in the picture. But there is a huge bulge at the bottom of strut when you feel it. Like as someone stated, a banana!

Ok Ian "complete adjustable lowered struts and then it will match the sagged rear end"
When you say complete do you mean get them for front passenger and driver sides or both front and both rear?

TOLD U THAT U HAVE TO SPEAK SLOWLY TO ME

Hi David,

its left and right for the front

they are full replacement struts which you need in your case to replace that bent one but the added benefit is being adjustable you can set the front ride height to what ever height you like as they have a locking ring which locates the spring perch at different heights without effecting the ride quality

one of the best moves i ever made to my bug was getting these
allows me to change my ride height easily depending what rims i decide to roll at the time

what Joel said

Those struts Look and sound the biz. This weekend is the start of the engine and if all goes well, the electrics also. Then with list in hand its off to the shop to get the bits including the struts. Too tired to do more than look at the beetle today and should be organising rego for Kombi anyway, as due this month.

Who are those struts made by? was chatting to a guy at work and he reckons there is no such thing as adjustable struts for Mcpherson. I am not really in a position to argue with him though i said i would show him a pic tomorrow.

your mates obvoiously not a superbug guy then

theres heaps on the market from budget empi jobbies from Classic VW

9626 SUPER BUG ADJUSTABLE LOWERING STRUT 1971-1973 PAIR .

Price (Inc GST) : $239.99

PAIR !!




all the way up to Richards Custom slimline ones

john sherman makes them I belive. http://www.volksconversions.com.au/ 

he does but theyre not adjustable