VW Beetle Shock How-To!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Hi Everyone, A video on how to replace the shocks on classic VW Beetle. This car is a 1969 with the ball link front end and the IRS in the back. Shocks (www2.cip1.com): Rear: VWC-113-513-031-N - GENUINE OE SACHS OR BOGE BRAND - REAR SHOCK Front: VWC-113-413-031-E - OE GENUINE BOGE BRAND - FRONT SHOCK Installation kit: VWC-131-498-441-CP

[@chucksmoko5348]

I have been following your posts and love this car. How did you find a nearly 50 or so year-old car that has an underbody that’s in great condition? It may have been redone at some point, but still looks ‘new’ without signs of being re-worked. ( yes, I saw this was posted 2 years ago .. why I said nearly 50 years old for a 69 bug. )

[@computiNATEor]

If I wore long sleeves to work on my car, they’d be black. Props to you both for keeping things so clean!

[@MrErikw26]

When I wrenched for a job, I always had long sleeves lol

[@sparlin88]

Just Love you knowledge and videos !! I have the same 69 Bug and just ordered these same shocks . Thanks for the input !

[@martincaldera386]

Its both a visual and an audible pleasure watching your videos thanks Franny and Heidi. I am a CHevy man, but I am starting a new love with VW.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Good luck with your new VW! They some of the most interesting cars ever built.

[@graemebutler3452]

Thank you! Once again you've saved my Beetle and my sanity.

[@brendaleetv]

So kool! I just borrowed an 80s beetle from a friend to teach my kids(2 grown up) on how to drive stick, and the beetle has a rough front end when we go over a bump. The owner of the beetle is an older lady, and I want to help her out, by changing the front shocks and doing an oil change, ck the tire pressure pretty much doing the basic maintanace maintanance, as a way of thanking her for lending us her beetle. I havent taken the wheel off yet to see what style of shock it has, and maybe buy a pair and install them.

[@ligerangry]

Very nice! , .now I'm going to start working on my 1966 beetle .... installing the shock absorbers . thank you very much! 😃👍

[@daviddavidson4594]

i'm new to my karmann ghia so really appreciate this. really nice change from the dudes. it's well lit, and clearly explained. and you wear pearls in the garage. you're awesome

[@sportscarnut]

Another Master Performance! Love to see simple mechanics and still effective today.

[@hjkgufytfyug]

Awesome videos, Heidi and Franny. I really enjoy your delivery style and am more than a little jealous of your garage. Thanks for keeping our beloved classics on the road where they belong. Subscription added.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Yea. I am glad you found our channel.

[@carolinelangley6784]

Thanks again for another crystal clear well produced video. (I wish my bug was a clean as Miss Lemon Drop).

[@BurgSprinta]

Great video. I just tackled this job myself today, and your video was a big help. I did the rears today. Will do the front side next week.

[@shawnfloyd5757]

Franny ,I love your positive attitude and helpful hints and info ,thank you!

[@PB200559]

You are a joy to watch Franny. Perfect execution and your attention to detail is second to none. Oh how I wish you and your garage were in my neighbourhood.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks so much!

[@joesilvestri4925]

Thanks - this was super helpful. Changed shocks on our '70 Ghia this morning

[@jenniferrobinson7661]

Just found your channel, love it!! I am changing my shocks on my 67 bug this weekend. Thank you for giving me the confidence to do it:)

[@michaeltoney2277]

This looked so easy! I’m doing this on my VW Van. But Cletus’s bolts are probably going to have to be cut off lol.

[@randomdiy3823]

I'm giving you a thumbs up just because you're a one classy mechanic! 👍

[@sheilalucas9154]

Yet another brilliant video, keep them coming.

[@charlesmcmillan8324]

Found your channel due to the channel of two locals who had brought out a VW Bug to ask about it - and have been watching through every VW video I can. I recently bought a 69 VW bug but it was lacking quite a bit of the parts so im trying to figure out how to get it to feel like itself again.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Good luck with your new car!

[@joshuam4614]

Your videos are some of the best instructional videos on youtube. I don't understand why you don't have more subscribers yet. Aside from when you take an egg salad sandwich break, do you ever get dirty while working on your cars?

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks so much Joshua! We are working on growing the channel. More and more folks find us every day and that is exciting :) Oh, I do get dirty! Usually before when I cleaning before filming ;)

[@lillyblue1907]

If you get a chance will you try to make a video on how to replace the rubber on the outside of the door windows. Thanks. You have great videos and very detailed!

[@HeidiandFranny]

I'll look into that :)

[@johnsnider3400]

As usual, another great video. You do such a nice job of explaining what you are doing and why, makes for a very informative video. Because of your channel and Mustie1, I really want a big!! Thanks!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks so much!

[@malkucken]

did this job today and your video was perfectly helpful - thanks!

[@HeidiandFranny]

That's great!

[@Kingstonsmac]

Anymore bug videos coming ? :)

[@johncullinan8041]

Excellent video. Great presentation. Well done 👍🏻🇬🇧🤓

[@raymondmiller5098]

Could you please do a video on how to replace drum brakes? I have a 1979 VW Beetle. I can't find a car shop nearby who still knows how to do drum brakes. Love your videos! Many thanks!

[@HeidiandFranny]

I did a video on the 356 brakes, but they are a little different in that there are two cylinders on the front wheels. I need to go through the entire system again at some point.

Primeiramente parabéns pelo excelente canal! Gosto muito dos seus vídeos, muito explicativos! Adoro ver a organização de suas ferramentas e o cuidado em manusear as peças! Entendo pouco do inglês mas da para absorver o conhecimento! Until the next video brasil

[@HeidiandFranny]

Muito obrigada! Estou muito feliz que você goste do canal. Espero que ainda seja divertido. Talvez possamos convencer o Marcello para uma visita e ele possa traduzir!

Seria uma excelente ideia!

[@zendher]

Congratulations from Brasil!! I love yours videos!!!!

[@rodolfogomez382]

Franny it is amazing your job hability that it looks so easy!!! your videos are great.

[@andywhittle894]

Never sleaze!

[@MrPaka420]

video made me want to do this in the future, currently working on passing emissions, terrible time to get this 1970 to pass every year for the last 5 years, this year is not the case, 2 mechanics say I need new carb, rebuild carb, re jet carb, second vac leaks may be the problem for high HC/CO, both say cost starts @ $500, final diagnoses is get new engine, My thought they didn't know how to fix this, and hardly do auto shops have the knowledge. Difference between a Mechanic Vs. Tech. Mmmmmm currently trying to trouble shoot.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Your spark plugs will tell the real story... If they are black and sooty, the car is rich, white/light brown then lean (vacuum leak). You may have some issues with your carb, but they can be replaced pretty cheaply and it is easy to do. Just think of what all the possible issues it could be. Do a full tune-up with new plugs and points and oil, set the timing and the carb and then see where you are. You'll get it.

[@americozapata4474]

Fantastic explanation and demonstration . Thanks!

[@st-qd8wg]

Hello there how dose Boge shocks Ride compare to KYB Gas A Just 🔧

[@birdsnbows]

1969 converted autostick Dr. de carbon system rear shocks? the only information I found is it was a high performance secret under license, It is a matching numbers VW 1500 Sedan autostick with sun roof converted to manual even the motor is original! it appears the conversion has parts prior( May or June of the 68 model year)which seems would have been right before switch to all manual standard beetles from Aug. 68 to July 69 model year in the U.S. having i.r.s., in other words no one had to convert to get the i.r.s. in U.S. to get what the autostick debut of the 1968 model year already had.My point is somebody in America might have known what they were doing in Germany before my original factory build date of 12 June 1969 happened, by the way love that 69 and thanks for the fantastic video!

[@DuckmanCycles]

Yayyyy! Shock swapper!

[@thepeepingthom85]

so detailed and a pleasure to watch!

[@jinxylad71]

Great vids ladies, there's a plastic dust cover missing however from the kit for the front shock that protects the exposed piston rod. Would have been with the old shock but since it wasn't an original its been thrown i guess.

[@HeidiandFranny]

That is a great point. I did film a blurb on that, but cut it since I didn't have the part and couldn't source it. I did see it in the OEM parts breakdown.

[@markrobinson6593]

Heidi and Franny's Garage I have been trying to get the original dust covers back on but found it near impossible. Tried warm water to soften the rubber. The dust covers are now readily available in the uk and have a small cut out so perhaps the idea is to cut the rubber and screw it in? Great video thanks.

[@jimmd53]

I really like your video about changing the 2969 Beetle shock absorbers. Could you let me know where you bought the Sachs front and rear shocks from, I have a 1970 which I want to change from gas to OEM oil shock absorbers and I am having a tough time finding a parts distributor that carry the appropriate Boge/Sachs brand. Thanks, Jim Semertzides

[@HeidiandFranny]

I think I got them from cip1.com. Either there or JBug. The owner was very happy with the change.

[@oaljaloudi3091]

Hello, if I lower the car by adjusting the torsion bar does we need to change the studs to a “shorter” or adjustable? While trying to keep the car stable “less jumping and less stiff”

[@juliomotta3162]

Hi girls. I loved the video I found very well explained.is the best youtube channel.Abraços Julio Motta

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks!

[@jrpeet]

Fine job

[@Acesar2012]

I love yours tools. I have a passion lovely for tools

[@timdolan4591]

Very good sound, lighting and flow a KZbin pleasure. May I ask 1) how to test the need for new shocks? 2) do you think there are any magic codes on the previous shocks to indicate age? Previous owner did not have full documentation. Thanks again. t

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks Tim, The easiest way to check your shocks is to press down on the car (bumper works great, but be careful if you use the fender) and then release. It should return to the original place, but not overshoot. If it does, they need to be replaced and do both left and right at the same time. They need to be the same. I didn't see any codes on the old shock so I dod a bit of searching on the web and found that they are great for the track, but not great for the street. When in doubt, go back to OEM. The original engineers crunched the partial differential equations for the suspension configurations and know exactly what damping to use for the correct ride and safety. As an alternative, you can have someone follow you on uneven roads at different speeds looking for any ringing of the wheels. The PO who built the car had some documentation but passed away. His wife (who sold the car) is still going through her late husband's mountains of paperwork as the story goes.

[@gutshotgriz3936]

Great how-to. A quick question ... I noticed in the rear wheel well what looks like an exhaust flange just behind the top shock mount...obviously not being used any more...what is/was it for?

[@jeffmatthews9884]

Earlier bugs, this is where the anti sway bar mounted.

[@computiNATEor]

Such a simple process. Changing the struts/shocks in my E39 takes ages and requires removing the entire rear seat and trim.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Wow! Really? But the E39 is pretty sweet. collapsing coil springs frightens me... The thought of what that thing could do...

[@computiNATEor]

I'm very happy with my car; it's an 02 530i (manual) with more than 200k miles on it. Awesome daily driver, with pretty decent fuel economy for a big sedan. The coils are a little sketchy, but when I replaced the factory "sport" springs with with H&R Sport springs, I found I didn't have to compress them much at all. Go slow, use hand tools (because impacts can cause the spring compressors to slip and cause the spring to explode), and wear PPE, and you'll be ok.

[@computiNATEor]

The rear shocks mount underneath the rear parcel shelf and speakers, so you have to remove the seat base, seat belts, headrests, C-pillar trim/lights, child seat anchors, rear seat backs (on non-fold down seats), the parcel shelf (and sunshade if equipped), and finally the rear speakers to get access to the three top bolts on the rear shock/spring assembly. It also requires finagling the charcoal canister/evaporative emissions stuff around on the driver's side, and moving the fuel neck on the passenger side. It's a good 5-10 hours of work.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Oh my! They must have started with the shocks and built the car around it!

[@DuckmanCycles]

"Crapily" I love it, I may borrow that one. :-D

[@MrErikw26]

That's golden material right there

[@BosseBrakskit]

Darn it! The rubber and bushings from the front shocks decided to stick around on the suspension mounting pins as I removed the shocks (yepp, they didnot want to go off easily). Any tips on how to remove the bushings?

[@freerkderuiter8822]

Lovely car :) and great job as always :)

[@albaran7233]

I know this is an older video but I am about to replace the front shocks on my Spyder replica which has the same KYB gas adjust shock that you had on this car. I am wondering why they wonted them replaced because they look like they are in good condition. The reason I am replacing them is because they were too stiff and I want a smoother ride. Is that the same reason theses are being replaced?

[@HeidiandFranny]

Yes,.... Same reason ;)

[@cleversonlima2493]

Muito ótimo esse vídeo amei e bem explicativo. ... Brasil

[@pathmanathanmohanathas5766]

Great to see you..

[@malimigeleo2199]

Thank you so much.

[@69mag]

You replaced a KYB Gas adjust (definitely an upgrade shock) that was in perfect working order with an OE quality oil shock, I don't get it.

[@steffydog]

Fab, as always

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

So was there an improvement in the way it drives?

[@HeidiandFranny]

Yes!! I'm editing a video on that now. I did a little research on those gas shocks and they are great on the track, but bangey on the road which is just what the car felt like. It rides like a normal bug now :)

[@judymedina6549]

I love watching Franny work!

[@howardbroadfoot7288]

Female Edd China! I love it!

[@HeidiandFranny]

LOL!

[@wordreet]

Rusty bolts aside, your Bug looks almost like she was restored last week! Dang, I hoped you would take her for a little road test at the end. :¬( :¬)

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks, but I wish this was ours... It is owned by our good friends Jerry and Judy. We get visiting hours now and then. I did get out for a tootle - and filmed it! That will be my next video :)

[@wordreet]

Yay! Beetle road trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@scanspeak00]

I read the headline and thought you had replaced your Beetle!

[@HeidiandFranny]

I do that all the time...

[@MrErikw26]

Torque to 10 uggaduggas