Stance: A Little Low in the Rear Options

[Bwingate]

First post here. New to 914's, but I have had a '74 Super Beetle for quite some time, so its the same but different . . . .

Got my new-to-me 1974 on Friday. One of the issues I knew about was that the car sits a little [too] low in the rear. I don't have plates yet, so I could only drive up and down my street a couple of times, but I don't hear any or feel anything funny from the rear and the ride is pretty nice.

Any ideas on where to start to level this or problems I should be looking at regarding the rear end sag?




Thanks,
Bruce

[mate914]

First post here. New to 914's, but I have had a '74 Super Beetle for quite some time, so its the same but different . . . .

Got my new-to-me 1974 on Friday. One of the issues I knew about was that the car sits a little [too] low in the rear. I don't have plates yet, so I could only drive up and down my street a couple of times, but I don't hear any or feel anything funny from the rear and the ride is pretty nice.

Any ideas on where to start to level this or problems I should be looking at regarding the rear end sag?

No pix yet for this post - have to look at the FAQ about posting pix

Thanks,
Bruce

Most likely you need new rear springs.

Matt

[rick 918-S]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) maybe lower the front torsion bars. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thisthreadisworthlesswithoutpics.gif)

[914Sixer]

It is a gray area. Originally 914's were a little high in the front from the factory to meet headlight spec's. On the other side your rear springs are close to shot IF they have not been replaced.

[VaccaRabite]

As others have mentioned,
From the factory the fronts were adjusted high so the headlights would meet the minimum height requirements at the time, AND your rears are probably worn out.

But, you can adjust the front very easily. Under the car there is an adjustment screw on the base of the A Arm that sets ride height. Many will adjust it until the A-Arm is horizontal under the weight of the car. Be aware that you can over adjust and the car will come off the screw and the front wheel will fully collapse into the fender. Its obvious, but still something to be aware of.

Obviously any adjustment will require an aligment.

Zach

[mepstein]

Two things:
As stated above, front looks high. Easily adjusted.
Rear looks low. Probably springs. Every 914 I’ve ever purchased had worn out springs. Easy to fix.

[914Sixer]

Another thing is check to to see if you have mismatched shocks. Hopefully you have 4 of the same type, all of them gas or hydraulic.

[Bwingate]

Another thing is check to to see if you have mismatched shocks. Hopefully you have 4 of the same type, all of them gas or hydraulic.

Is there a preferred brand or type of shock? VW guys could fight all day over gas vs. hydrualic.

Looks like I'm in for a day of maintenance - shocks all around and rear spings. Brakes are a little soft too, so while I'm in there . . . .

I'm going to order a copy of the Porsche service manual on CD. Is there a preferred workshop manual for these things?

Thanks for the quick help,
Bruce.

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

look under the rear and see if you have an adjustable spring plate first, you will see notches for setting the plate at different heights. This is on all koni and bilstein shocks which will be red or yellow.
If you have the standard gray boge shocks with affixed spring plate, the rear springs have sagged and need to be replaced with the stock set. This is typical for all 914s after years of age

First post here. New to 914's, but I have had a '74 Super Beetle for quite some time, so its the same but different . . . .

Got my new-to-me 1974 on Friday. One of the issues I knew about was that the car sits a little [too] low in the rear. I don't have plates yet, so I could only drive up and down my street a couple of times, but I don't hear any or feel anything funny from the rear and the ride is pretty nice.

Any ideas on where to start to level this or problems I should be looking at regarding the rear end sag?




Thanks,
Bruce

[technicalninja]

Be careful about purchasing rear springs.

These had stupid soft rates and it's easy to put too much spring on them.

The normal replacements are the 100lb ones like this.

https://914rubber.com/100-lb-sport-rear-spr...google_shopping

Any higher spring rates than that and you can adversely affect handling unless you have a bunch of other suspension mods.

[FlacaProductions]

Welcome to the madness!
Factory manuals can be seen here:
http://p914-6info.net/Manuals.htm

I think most would agree that the Haynes manual is the basic one that everyone needs - at least as a baseline.

https://www.amazon.com/Porsche-Automotive-1...C167&sr=8-1

They can frequently found used on ebay and TheSamba.com

Also - this is THE place for 914 info but searching can be a bit wonky - I have good luck using this link and then entering your search criteria:
https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=0024083458981...772:ajvfxschcgc

[mlindner]

And if you replace rear springs/shock look at Ground Control adjustable set.
You can ask for any spring rate you want based on your type of driving and then adjust the rear to match fronts. Works great, Best, Mark

[technicalninja]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

One of the better setups around.

By the time I'm adding a fully adjustable rear spring set up I've changed to adjustable struts (Konis are my favorite), adjustable sway bars, performance bushings, etc...

Suspension mods are a slippery slope.

If you're planning on a serious set up anyway this is the way to go.

I've got two cars. One will be serious, one will not.

I found a set of the 100 lb springs on the classifieds here new for $50 plus shipping.

They will reside in the "stock" car just fine.

Even still, the stock car I changed up to 5 lug anyways so even my stock stuff isn't...

[Bwingate]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

One of the better setups around.

By the time I'm adding a fully adjustable rear spring set up I've changed to adjustable struts (Konis are my favorite), adjustable sway bars, performance bushings, etc...

Suspension mods are a slippery slope.
<<snip snip snip>>

The car is in very good shape. It was either seriously loved and cared for or had a very good restoration done. I'm trying not to do any mods except for LED lights and and a stealth radio [retrosound - no dash cutting]. I'll probably replace the springs with fresh 100 pounders. Shocks/struts seem sound for now, but that's an easy enough switch.

[mepstein]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

One of the better setups around.

By the time I'm adding a fully adjustable rear spring set up I've changed to adjustable struts (Konis are my favorite), adjustable sway bars, performance bushings, etc...

Suspension mods are a slippery slope.
<<snip snip snip>>

The car is in very good shape. It was either seriously loved and cared for or had a very good restoration done. I'm trying not to do any mods except for LED lights and and a stealth radio [retrosound - no dash cutting]. I'll probably replace the springs with fresh 100 pounders. Shocks/struts seem sound for now, but that's an easy enough switch.

I’m pretty sure I have a pair of new 100lb springs. $50 + ship. PM me if interested. Mark

[rgalla9146]

Upon seeing the pics I'd say drop the front and get an alignment.
Get 'stance' for little cost

[Bwingate]

Upon seeing the pics I'd say drop the front and get an alignment.
Get 'stance' for little cost

Thanks - I'm not looking to make a stance car. I have never been a fan of lowered or raised vehicles. They rarely look good to me.

I'm trying to figure out why the back end is so low - right now the concensus is worn out springs and possibly adjustable shocks adjusted too low.

[Shivers]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

Here is a pic showing the adjustment for the front suspension. Nice car

[Shivers]

The back does not look that low to me, it is the front that is so high

[technicalninja]

I'd take mepstein up on that offer!
I'd snake you out if I didn't already have a set... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ninja.gif)

One NICE thing about wimpy spring rates.

EASY to compress!

Cheapo compressors work great.

The rears on a 914 are what technicians consider "Gravy"...

Tip for reuse on old struts. Keep them in the same place and mark for direction.

Bottom mounting bolt will be an absolute bitch if reversed as they twist the lower rubber bushing with age.