Just changed front shocks

The GHIA that we built last year. I changed the rear shocks to coil over spring. Which I will do for FERN as well. The parts are here. But I bought overkill front GAS shocks and installed them on the GHIA last year. The ride was good, but rough......felt every bump in the steering. So on my last bunch of parts that I ordered for the Speedster I included some OIL filled for the GHIA which I replaced today.

Result: AWESOME. The ride is night and day and they are cheaper. The car floats over bumps and you feel nothing on the steering wheel. I also installed 2 new oil shocks on FERN but can't drive it since I am waitning for a new tie-rod.

Once upon a time someone said the best shocks for the Speedster are the cheapest oil filled ones you can find. I also reameber someone saying that before installing them run them up and down full travel about a dozen times.

Jerome

Great news Mike - what was the brand and model #?

CIP1 part

C13-9651 - EMPI BRAND - FRONT SHOCK - STD BALL-JOINT STYLE - BUG/GHIA 66-77(EXCEPT SUPER BEETLE) EACH

The way I remember that thread, was to find some WORN OUT VW shocks, and use them on your speeedster. The reduction in front end weight was just right for worn out stock shocks to provide a smooth. controlled ride.

These are like worn out but NEW!!!! :)

If you want to see if your shocks are bottoming out and how much travel you are using do the following.
I use stock shocks in the front also. ( lowered Ball Joint front end w/dropped spindles.)

Before installing the shock,cut off the shock dust covers w/hack saw, grinder whatever. The shaft that goes up and down into the lower part of the shock will be exposed.
Put a tiewrap on this shaft as a marker. it will be nudged up the shaft as the shock works. This leaves the tiewrap on the shaft at it's highest point (or lowest ground clearance the car has experienced).
You will be able to see how much travel (if any) is left before the shock collapses enough to bottom out by how much of the shaft is left above the tiewrap.

Greg B

I bought some GR2's and they seemed WAY too stiff. I found some others at Auto Zone made by Gabriel for $10.00 and they work GREAT!

TC

TC, are they gas or oil?

Thanks

Dave

Well this was the day. The new tie-rod came in since one of the new ones was not the correct ones. Murphies Law.... so the new front end, tie-rods, spindles and discs. Started the car up and drove it outside for the first time since November. The accumulated oil drips on the headers made for some wonderful smoke. I gunked the underneath and hosed it off, clean as a whistle now. No oil smoke, just gunk smoke. But that goes away.

The new shocks are AWESOME.....smooth as silk. On the Ghia as well.

TC

Do you have the part # so I can order some too? My ride is way too stiff.