412 parts/struts

[Matthew412]

Howdy Ray (and the rest)--

I have a problem I hope you can solve.

I need Front Struts and Rear Shocks. I love my car, but I have absolutely NO time for DIY, and the only mechanic I have access to is a "Parts Replacer" not a machinist/diagnostician/parts chaser.

So what I need for my struts is the COMPLETE solution, in a box I can hand to my mechanic, for replacing the front struts and rear shocks. I am willing to pay any (reasonable) cost for the assembly/machining of the correct replacement stuff (the Ford Econoline shocks, the Audi 4000 Struts) and delivery to NC.

Thanks for this wonderful resource,

G. Matthew Bulley
Mount Olive, NC/Hanover, MD

[raygreenwood]

Ok...whats your time frame. I have the front end off the car right now. The machine stubs are simple, but not something you want to hand off to a person who has never installed them. I am making a set of very cheap...but much much better, strut tube adapters to allow the use of the Audi 400 struts. They just screw on. I can make two sets. It will be about 2-3 weeks. They will cost nothing other than shipping. I will also send the spacers that go in the bottom of the strut. I will give you 3 part #'s. Your mechanic can get the strut bushing from the local foreign parts jobber at the same time as he gets the strut cartridges and the new bump stop part # I give you. From then on....he screws on one part...and does a normal strut cartridge replacement...using the nw cartridges and the the new bump stop...that simply slides on. The KYB rear shocks are a simple bolt up....they are identical to stock Part # for the rears are KYB #5410. Other than that...there is no stock solution...other than NOS...which will be chancy at their age.Ray

[raygreenwood]

Sorry...or, yes..I could assemble them for you. We would have to confer on it. There are some mnor issues, like....do you want the nose dropped .75 inches...which restores the castor, gets rid of that nasty nose high attitude, improves looks and handling..etc..or do you want it stock. Also, these are low pressure gas. The oil versions do not have the same valving...andI am not sure if the oil version for the audi 4000 would be adequate. These are actually much better....but, I need to know the condition of your ball joints, tie rod ends, center link and idler bushing. All of these must be tip top. I can also provide free of charge, new centering rings and radius arm bushings. Without everything being relative...adding new struts of any kind..evn stock...will very quickly destroy other parts due to the length of the suspension parts and the leverage generated. Ray

[vwbill]

Hey, does the 74 412 2door sedan take a different front strut then the earlier year 411 /412? They show strut cart. for sale Gabriel #44025 but they look like a straight tube without the bottom coil spring support. Does the replacement cart. slide in the old housing or does the new one have too have the coil bottom support cart.? Thanks Bill

[raygreenwood]

There are technically 3 different arrangements. There is the very early 411...2 door, 4 door and variant...which al used the plane bearing in the strut mount Chances are you will never see one of these on the continent.

The 2door, 4 door and varient of the middle years...that used the same symmetrical bolt pattern arrangement for the strut bearing as the early one...but had a much different ball bearing in it.

The strut cartridge for those years were the same. They had a very long neck to fit through the bump stop. They had a 13mm spacer ring that was used for one and not the other.

The very last one, had the assymetrical spaced mounting bolts. It was the same strut mount as the latest model superbeetle. It had a totally different cartridge. It had a short straight stub on top and used a differnt bump stop spacer and part #.

The struts on all of these are replaced as slip in cartridges...not complete strut body and spring perch assemblies.

If yours is a 74...it is differnt than the first two. Be wary of the strut cartridges. Enquire as to the age of them. Chances are they are at least 15 years old. No one manufactures front strut cartridges any longer for this vehicle. They are either not the correct parts...or they are very old. Old struts last about 10K miles becasue the seals go stiff laying on the shelf. Unless the yare dirt cheap..like $25 each at the most, I would not install them. Its not worth the effort. Ray

[vwbill]

Hey Ray, thanks for the info!! I actually picked up the NOS Strut cart. the gabriel Mcpherson HD 44025. I seen them for a 411/412 and went for it. Never done the struts myself before(Dont like that spring thing!). I'll do the tierod ends and maybe I can have the struts and ball joints done at the shop if I find them, lol. It looks like a good time to do that and the alignment stuff? The ball joints dont look that bad but looks like a important connection!! I need to get my motor torn down and the heads sent out! Brakes and rear shock are next on the list. Thanks again for all the help! Used that frt engine mount #'s. Got those on the way.
Wahoo, Bill

[Matthew Bulley]

Howdy again--

You asked timeframe. Anytime soon. Within the next 30-60 days for sure. The left strut is completely useless. With the window rolled down, I can hear the tire bounce/reverberate after a highway bump.

As for cost/shipping, let me know offline as it is tough for me to make it back to this site with any frequency.

Thanks!!! Can't Wait.

Matthew Bulley
Mount Olive, NC/Hanover, MD
[email protected]

[Matthew Bulley]

There are some mnor issues, like....do you want the nose dropped .75 inches...

yes. Drop the front end.

Also, these are low pressure gas. The oil versions do not have the same valving...andI am not sure if the oil version for the audi 4000 would be adequate. These are actually much better...

I trust your judgement. I use the car as a daily driver (15 miles @70 mph), and long-haul touring car (600-1000 mile jaunts). I like medium-tight handling (ala current stock VW's, not GTI or Porsche) and will eventually go to 5.5" wheels, and 205/75 tires to provide a little more dry grip, and a little smoother road feel (more tire to soak up bumbs).

but, I need to know the condition of your ball joints, tie rod ends, center link and idler bushing.

All appear to be in perfect condition, no slop. Car only has 38,400 miles on it. The rear shocks are actually ok, but I'd rather get them done while it is in the shop as it is a pain for me to have the vehicle off the road at all.

Thanks again, and contact me offline to confirm $$ and timing.

g. Matthew Bulley
[email protected]

[raygreenwood]

Mathew...sorry for the delay. I got your E-mail about building your front end. I am checking on the feasibility...meaning accepting the shipment where I live and the time lag on getting all the little pieces. I have most of them. If I can get it together...I will do it for you. I have been on the road for two weeks. Your e-mail has rolled off my desktop. Please email me again. Ray

[Bulley412]

Mathew...sorry for the delay. I got your E-mail about building your front end. I am checking on the feasibility...meaning accepting the shipment where I live and the time lag on getting all the little pieces. I have most of them. If I can get it together...I will do it for you. I have been on the road for two weeks. Your e-mail has rolled off my desktop. Please email me again. Ray

hey Ray--

I was distracted too this past few weeks. Yep, I still need the struts, and yep I'm ready to roll when you are. Let me know what you need ($$, info) to make it happen. I can even take digital pics of stuff if you need to verify model/type/condition to do your stuff.

Thanks again.

Matthew Bulley
Mount Olive NC
1974 412 "Chrome Yellow"
[email protected]
[email protected]