JBugs - 1971 VW Super Beetle - Trailing Arm Installation

[@erbstreettackle]

So much help thank you

[@tw8032]

Great video. You guys do some of the best. I think the outer spacer was backwards, meaning the bevel goes toward the inside. Outside for swing axle.

[@Sam_Mebane]

Correct, although it's somewhat semantics on IRS cars as there is no gear oil to leak out like there is on swing axle cars. As long as the outer wheel seal lip seals over the spacer, you're in good shape.

[@firesquirrel646]

Great video wish this was out months ago when I installed my rear trailing arms etc keep the videos coming 👍👍

[@volkmarmaleika1623]

AWESOME THANKS VW

[@donalddenning2383]

Love the progress.

[@garyshimabukuro1080]

ONE OF THE COOOOOOLEST CATS ON THE TUBE. THANK U SAM... & MUCH ALOHA!!!

[@Sam_Mebane]

Mahalo nui loa Gary!

[@FixinBugsNStuff]

Very cool! I like the painted calipers.

[@Sergiotunes1976]

SUPER

[@Sam_Mebane]

Beetle!

[@johnmartin5153]

Hey Sam do you still have the low profile bump stops? I couldn't find them on the site.

[@Sam_Mebane]

We never did, I got them at a local auto parts store.

[@johnmartin5153]

@@Sam_Mebane ahh ok thanks man

[@Karmaisacow]

Where can I purchase new trailing arms? Mine are rotted and I can’t seem to find any

[@Sam_Mebane]

New trailing arms aren't made. You'll have to source a good set of used replacements.

[@lkanguro1]

How many foot pounds did you tighten the pivot bolt?

[@Sam_Mebane]

Guden-tite....using a 3 foot section of pipe and rough estimate of about 30-35 foot pounds would put it right around the 87 pounds VW called for.

[@johnlist9054]

I know this is two years old, but I have a question I hope you'll see. When the installer put on the torsion bar end cap(s) I noticed they were the type with the small stand off at each bolt hole. Are those ok to use on a '74 Super? I'm installing 26mm torsion bars in my car and discovered one of the caps had a pointed dent on the edge of the central hole. I thought it would be wiser to replace them but I'm having difficulty find caps that are the same style/design as my factory caps

[@Sam_Mebane]

The stand offs are on the spring plate caps as the 1968-1972 IRS models have Doubled Spring Plates. 1973 and later models with single spring plates are single so the spacers on the spring plate caps like we installed shouldn't be used, they would allow the spring plate to shift out, drastically changing the alignment. However, they could be used, if the spacers were cut off.

[@johnlist9054]

@Sam Mebane thank you very much. I did notice your double spring plates, but I've only ever had curved window Supers, so I didn't make the connection. The standoffs make sense with double tpring plates. Since I made that post, I did find a good used set on the Samba, though I'll need to clean them up a bit. Ty for the reply

[@garyshimabukuro1080]

Truly professional, such a great job with sharing your expertise! If I may please inquire... With reinstalling on my 69 Ghia, both rear trailing arms. Would locking both Trailing arms on to the Spring plates all the way forward. A starting point for me too? Thank u

[@Sam_Mebane]

If you're referring to the slots in the spring plates, yes. On all spring plate equipped Swing Axle and IRS rear suspensions, I set the arms or axles all the way forward in the spring plate slots. Toe in on the rear suspension is much more preferred over toe out!

[@johngalt4972]

Love these videos-thanks for sharing! Out of curiosity, how much would a rebuild project like the one demonstrated in this series of videos cost start to finish?

[@Sam_Mebane]

The cost of just the parts used to build this car was well over 30K. I can't really place a cost on my own labor, which in this case was everything, with the exception of spraying the paint (since I did all the rust repairs and body work) and rebuilding the transmission (so it's cost is included in the "parts"). My VW restoration shop friend (and the guy that painted the car) said he would charge 15-20K for the rust repairs, body work and color sanding I did, if that helps. Either way, if you watch through the series, there isn't anything that we did that couldn't be done by the experienced garage mechanic. That's all I am, and I did all this myself so the labor cost doesn't really matter.

[@toddmichaeljaniszewski]

So much easier to do without the body on!

[@a1machinista1]

What size Allen is that trailing arm inner bushing bolt?

[@Sam_Mebane]

17mm - we offer the allen driver here: www.jbugs.com/product/5773.html

[@blujet73]

Excellent video. Where can I buy the low profile bumpstops?

[@Sam_Mebane]

Most performance auto stores will offer them.

[@chrisbenn8691]

Good question. I want to get some too. Sam, Why no link in the description? They aren't on J-bugs website either. Otherwise all good from Sydney.

[@joekegg]

Great video! Did you narrow the trailing arms?

[@Sam_Mebane]

No, there was no need with our wheel and tire set up, besides the spring plates are the limiting factory on wheel and tire width.

[@Gowest4552]

I never did see where you lifted the spring plate over the bump stop before, or after, tightening the torsion cover plate. That's always a BIG problem for me.

[@Sam_Mebane]

The spring plate is set in place into the torsion housing, over the lower stop before the cover plate is installed. We cover the process in much more detail in our lowering video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqvOoYRjnZpqptE

[@weirdtubetv127]

Same method for 64 notchback?

[@Sam_Mebane]

A 64 Notch would have a swing axle rear suspension so not quite the same, no. You can take a look at our 1963 Beetle Video List for information on the rear suspension that will be similar to yours: kzbin.info/aero/PL7YpZlDdZJChvcwToOFNNANzMOaKy_59X

[@mrmojo00]

1 🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@shrimpdaddy6504]

Can someone go to your store to ask for something

[@Sam_Mebane]

Currently our lobby is closed due to C-19, you can call our sales desk though at 800-231-1784.