Rear coil over shock recommendation.

Do you feel you need a higher spring rate for some reason?

Most people use regular shocks. If the rear is too low, re-index the torsion bars.

No. Spring rate seems fine. I'm just trying to replace what is on already. The bushings are shot, dry rotted mostly. I figure if I am going to get into this I might as well replace them ahead of any issues.

@bob - I think Danny was asking why you went with coilovers in the first place.  Most folks use upgraded shocks and work with the existing torsion bars/spring plates.  It sounds like it wasn't a decision you actively made. Maybe they just came on the car when you bought it?

I went with the Ridetech/Fox shocks on all four corners (non coilover) from Airkewld.  They made custom lengths for my car's ride height. Adjustable dampening.  So far so good.  

Yeah, the car came with this set up. I know little to nothing about suspension, so, because this set up has worked well so far, I don't see a reason to change, but I am open to suggestions.

A lot of guys save dough and go with Bilstiens. (Yellow/Blue). @Anthony set up Knuckles' car with 'em. 

Do you have a photo of whats on the rear now?

Panhandle Bob posted:

Yeah, the car came with this set up. I know little to nothing about suspension, so, because this set up has worked well so far, I don't see a reason to change, but I am open to suggestions.

I’ll bet you a Gondola from Avanti’s that what you’ve got are Empi shocks with “helper springs”.

I think they were originally designed for Baja Bugs as a quick and easy way to raise the back end of a Beetle being used off road. Plus, they looked kind of cool.

I had a set I used on my pan-based speedsters when I drove them in parades. The homecoming king and queen would sit on the rear lip of the body above the rear bulkhead and use the “back seat” area as a foot rest. It was about 300 extra pounds directly over the back wheels.

I didn’t want to mess with the torsion bars for one day a year, and I didn’t want to drive around for an hour on my bumper stops, so the shocks with helper springs were a nice way to gain some extra spring without really changing anything on the car. After the parade, I would just take them back off and put the regular shocks back on.

I can’t think of a single reason you need them on your car. 

Well then! I have learned something today. I will look at going to regular shocks.

Thank you.

Panhandle Bob posted:

Well then! I have learned something today. I will look at going to regular shocks.

Thank you.

So, you're ok with having to adjust your rear torsion bar settings in the suspension to get the same ride height that you now have with the shocks / coil over springs ?

I think he is. Sometimes doing it right is better than doing it easy.

Stan Galat posted:

Panhandle Bob posted:

Yeah, the car came with this set up. I know little to nothing about suspension, so, because this set up has worked well so far, I don't see a reason to change, but I am open to suggestions.

I’ll bet you a Gondola from Avanti’s that what you’ve got are Empi shocks with “helper springs”.

I think they were originally designed for Baja Bugs as a quick and easy way to raise the back end of a Beetle being used off road. Plus, they looked kind of cool.

I had a set I used on my pan-based speedsters when I drove them in parades. The homecoming king and queen would sit on the rear lip of the body above the rear bulkhead and use the “back seat” area as a foot rest. It was about 300 extra pounds directly over the back wheels.

I didn’t want to mess with the torsion bars for one day a year, and I didn’t want to drive around for an hour on my bumper stops, so the shocks with helper springs were a nice way to gain some extra spring without really changing anything on the car. After the parade, I would just take them back off and put the regular shocks back on.

I can’t think of a single reason you need them on your car. 

Stan is right on track.   Those cheap chrome helper springs on a so call stock shock are a waste of money. Years back several people sold them as a quick way to level out your 67 and later bug which the rear of the car sat lower than the front. Super beetles had the same issue. If you think you need helper springs, then change your torsion bars.  Also those coil spring shocks cause a stiff harsh ride. 

Panhandle Bob posted:

The bushings on my rear shocks are shot and the shocks date to 2002. So I am looking at replacements for my Vintage. Same time I am replacing the axle boots and rebuilding the rear brakes.

Recommendation for the rear coil overs? I don't see any external numbers or indicators on the current ones. They are white and appear to be adjustables.

We offer either the bilstien or koni. These are just a shock. No coil spring attached. If you have a irs suspension and want the adjustable coil overs we then eliminate the torsion bar. If you have a swing axle suspension the coil over is a waste of money

Anthony, you are on track as well. Thanks.

Thank you, gentlemen!

Bob,

We're all assuming you're running these:

Is that correct? If so, I'm wondering if / when you remove them if the rear of your car will drop lower in the rear once you remove them.  

Ted

Lets see a picture of how your car sits.

DannyP posted:

I think he is. Sometimes doing it right is better than doing it easy.

I agree with your statement completely, Danny. However some of us (myself included ) might no have the qualifications, tools, energy or spare time to do it your way and therefore taking the easy way out might be an attractive alternative. 

My car had coil overs on the rear when I got it and I've seem to come to no harm from them. I have put plenty of miles on it. Come to think of it, with that kind of mileage I have put on it, I'm probably due for new shocks all round. 

While the coil overs might not be optimum, they might be good enough for the type of driving some of us do. 

If it's worth doing, it's worth doing it right. That's how I was raised. It's in my DNA now.

Might I suggest that if you don't have the tools, knowledge, time, etc. that you take it to someone who does. And it probably won't be cheap.

David, I have no problem with the coil-overs personally, you are certainly entitled to use them.