Hey hey all,

First of all I would like to say i got my P's a couple of days ago- and I am having the time of my life travelling everywhere! (if you see a dark green/purple beetle in the northside of brisbane thats me )

ANYWAYS

Occasionally i will be driving and suddenly (like very rarely) the whole car begins to shake uncontrollably, like the whole body of the car, and the steering wheel shakes- however the car doesnt go all over the road.

The only way of stopping it is through slowing down almost to a complete stop and then it goes back to normal as if nothing has happened.

I am getting it fine tuned this monday and will get it checked over- but im wondering if anyone else has experienced this and knows what it is? Or if its possible for me to fix it without shelling heaps of $$$$$.


Thanks all!

thats the classic 50mph superbeetle shimmy
dont worry your not alone 1000s of superbeetle owners around the world encounter it

it comes about when something in the front end is worn or the wheel balance isnt quite right

the first easy thing to check if its the wheel balance is undo the bolts on front wheels and rotate the wheel around 90degrees (one bolt hole around) and see if it makes any difference

failing that its usually worn balljoints or flogged out swaybar bushings

Agree with Joel
Check the following

wheel balance
wheel bearings set correctly
Sway bar bushes
Balljoints (get a 2nd set done and thenjust swap over)
Struts (inserts)
steer shaft universal
steering box

Once sorted the car will drive unbelievable

most probably a silly one, but ensure the wheel nuts are all done up.

First port of call would be the steering damper(assuming it doesn't have a rack and pinion),these will be set off by a small pothole and will escalate to uncontrollable.As you say only by slowing almost to as stop will alleviate it.Pull the damper off and try it,if it fixes the problem fit a new damper.

rebuild your whole front end and make yourself happy thats what im doing.... soooooon.