JBugs - 1971 VW Super Beetle - Front Steering & Suspension Installation

View our complete selection of air-cooled VW parts on the JBugs website: www.jbugs.com/
Now that the body is back on the pan of our 1971 Super Beetle, we can work on getting it back on its own wheels. Follow along as we install the various steering, suspension and brake components needed to get our Euro Look Beetles front wheels and tires back on.
Intro 0:00
Idler arm installation: 1:10
Steering box prep: 1:29
Steering box installation: 2:28
Steering damper installation: 2:30
Tie rod assembly prep: 2:46
Tie rod assembly installation: 3:07
Control arm prep: 3:46
Control arm installation: 4:09
Sway bar installation: 4:32
Strut assembly prep: 5:25
Strut assembly installation: 5:45
Strut cross brace assembly installation: 6:28
Front disc brake conversion kit installation: 7:15
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Tools used in this video:
3/8" Drive Bit Adapter
3/8" Drive Ratchet
3/8" Drive Extension
3/8" Drive 13mm Socket
3/8" Drive 14mm Socket
3/8" Drive 17mm Socket
3/8" Drive 19mm Socket
1/2" Impact Driver
1/2" Drive Ratchet
1/2" Drive Extension
1/2" Drive 17mm Socket
1/2" Drive 19mm Socket
Hammer
13mm Wrench
17mm Wrench
19mm Wrench
Adjustable Wrench
Needle Nose Pliers
Vice Grips
Chisel
8x45 Bolt (Ground to a point)
7mm Allen Wrench
Brake Line Bender
Chemicals Used:
Brake Cleaner
Bearing Grease
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Parts used in this video:
Universal Steering Joint Shaft (113415951B)
www.jbugs.com/product/1134159...
VW Steering Damper (113425021J)
www.jbugs.com/product/1134250...
VW Steering Damper Bushing (113425117)
www.jbugs.com/product/1134251...
VW Center Tie Rod Assembly (133415303)
www.jbugs.com/product/1334153...
VW Left\Right Tie Rods (133415801)
www.jbugs.com/product/1334158...
Urethane Control Arm Bushing Kit (16-5107)
www.jbugs.com/product/16-5107...
EMPI Super Beetle 3/4" Front Sway Bar (9599)
www.jbugs.com/product/9599.html
Adjustable Lowering Strut Housings (9626)
www.jbugs.com/product/9626.html
EMPI Lowered Strut Inserts (9629)
www.jbugs.com/product/9629.html
VW Upper Strut Tower Mount (113412329B)
www.jbugs.com/product/1134123...
VW Ball Joint (113407361E)
www.jbugs.com/product/1134073...
VW Strut Tower Brace (412011)
www.jbugs.com/product/412011....
EMPI VW Front Disc Brake Conversion Kit (22-6140)
www.jbugs.com/product/22-6140...
VW Stainless Steel Brake Hard Line Kit(133698723S)
www.jbugs.com/product/1336987...
EMPI Braided Stainless Steel Brake Line Kit (5588)
www.jbugs.com/product/5588.html
VW Brake Hose Clips (113611715A)
www.jbugs.com/product/1136117...
All parts used in this video are available at: www.jbugs.com/
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Music Provided By:
Keep It Real by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: audionautix.com/
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Videos are intended for entertainment purposes. Factory specifications should be followed when performing any task on your vehicle.

[@jamesthomasjr3751]

I like your videos. You don't take an hour to show the steps.

[@tylersanders6080]

That's a lot of blue! Perfect for the Beetle

[@alanwood5857]

That Super Beetle will be a treat to drive.

[@quillmaurer6563]

One minor critique, it is mentioned that the sway bar is an upgraded "heavy duty" one, and that larger-hole bushings were needed for it. But it's mentioned in the video, and the linked part, that it's 3/4" diameter. I'm pretty sure that's the stock size, and the fairly popular upgraded ones are 7/8" diameter.

[@Sam_Mebane]

We linked the 3/4" sway bar which is considerably larger than the stock sway bar. Can't say that I have ever seen a 7/8" bar for a Beetle, the 7/8" bars we offer are for Type 2s.

[@richardsalmon5918]

Lookin real good. Love the attention to detail.

[@Sam_Mebane]

Thank you Richard!

[@locosporlosvolkys7640]

Wao!,una restauración muy hermosa, totalmente profesional.

[@Sam_Mebane]

¡Gracias Locos!

[@Dundertaker1]

I’m getting you a torque wrench for Christmas! ;)

[@Sam_Mebane]

Save the money, I have a couple already...I don't use em unless I'm working on an engine!

[@Dundertaker1]

@@Sam_Mebane UGGA DUGGA!!!!! :) Great channel...:)

[@farwestsidesti]

These videos have been extremely helpful... but I was wondering if you would be able to provide the sizes for the hardware as I am replacing most of mine (worn pretty bad). Thanks!

[@Sam_Mebane]

It's kind of hard in rewind but if you have questions on any certain pieces feel free to email me directly [e-mail] and I'll see what I can dig up for you.

[@lexiaontube]

dude your intonation is weird and annoying but definitelly became a jbugs signature

[@Sam_Mebane]

I'm the son of a teacher and I've watched way too many "how to" videos and TV series over the years. I am what I am....weird or otherwise!

[@Jayvans_Super]

I have a 71 Super also. Question, do I need any special tools to install new ball joints? I got a puller to remove it but was wondering about what to use when installing. Thx in advance

[@Sam_Mebane]

No, it isn't a press in unit, it is just bolted in place.

[@lvlikeyV]

​@@Sam_Mebane how well do the red replacement parts work? Just as good? What's their life look like?

[@bilbobaggins1000]

Do you leave the inner metal sleeve in from old bushings? Kit came with bushings only, no sleeve. Prob an obvious answer but idk

[@Sam_Mebane]

The urethane bushings we used (starting at about 3:48) come with inner sleeves, which we used. If your kit didn't come with sleeves then you'll probably have to use the originals.

[@bilbobaggins1000]

@@Sam_Mebane sorry I meant the out sleeve. I've heard some people say try to leave it and others say take it out. It's hard to tell from this video if it's in there or not.

[@Sam_Mebane]

@@bilbobaggins1000 The out sleeve of what part?

[@Sam_Mebane]

@@jasonwhite3080 There aren't any sleeves on the control arm, they are cast iron. Pause the video at 3:46, that is what the control arm will /should look like before the new bushings are installed.

[@quillmaurer6563]

I'm not sure of these sleeves, but one possible source of confusion is that VW changed the design of the track arms, ball joints, and struts in mid-'73 from these cast arms to a stamped-steel design. My car is an early 73, so it's the same as this, I can't speak to the later models as I've never worked on one, but they will look different. I don't know the exact details of what is and isn't different though.

[@ernestoholguin9066]

El amortiguador para las rótulas es especial?

[@Sam_Mebane]

Los Super Beetles tienen amortiguadores diferentes a los Beetles estándar. Sin embargo, no hay nada particularmente especial en ellos.

[@ernestoholguin9066]

@@Sam_Mebane gracias,estoy suscrito, muy buenos tutoriales

[@luislarapelaez9698]

Tengo un super beetle en Perú 🇵🇪 tengo problemas por encontrar repuestos

[@Sam_Mebane]

VW de Brasil nunca construyó un Super Beetle, por lo que podría ser difícil para los artículos específicos del Super Beetle.

[@alexvaldes7570]

link of strut cross brace?

[@Sam_Mebane]

Click the "SHOW MORE" above, all the parts used are linked there.

[@richardthames661]

Ok where do I get this and what it it called

[@Sam_Mebane]

Hard to say.....you can click the "Show More" on the video and get a link of all the parts we used in the video. At what minute mark in the video are you referring to?