Description

T1 1971-79 1302 & 1303 Beetle Front Air Ride Kit (Bolt on)

The Ultimate Aircooled VW Bolt on Air ride system, the industry leading T1 Beetle / Ghia Air Suspension Option

These air struts are compatible with all macpherson strut front ended Aircooled VW’s. We can build the struts to the height of your choice. Note if you do have the shocks very low you may find your track rods hit on the inner wings and require a small notch.

All struts are fully bolt on and come with adapters for 1/4″ air line.

Damping rate can be fully adjusted on each shock independently, shocks will come pre-painted in a silver /grey.

Please note these do not work under any circumstance on T2 buses.

Options:
– There are two configurations of front struts, you will need to select which style you require.

2 Bolt Style

This fixing style is a sideways mounted strut (similar to a MK2 Golf). And has a camber adjustable slot pre-cut into the fixing plates.

3 Bolt Style

This fixing style mounts vertically straight down through the the carrier / hub and down through the ball joint. Note for this style of shock the studs will come pre-welded onto the flange. This makes installation simple and quick. Note: this style strut is not camber adjustable.

Important Operational Info: Must Read!!!

When operating your air ride kit, you must understand that you now have total free range to move the suspension to its mechanical upper and lower limits. The air bags used are strong enough to lift the weight of almost two Beetles per bag. In order to maintain be sure never to exceed the mechanical limits of your vehicle.

For Link Pin front setups, with no mechanical restriction be aware over pressurisation will cause the shock to foul the front trailing arm. Be sure to inspect the vehicle with the wheels off and run the car through the travel noting the upper limit PSI, be sure also to never try and collapse an air shock with 0PSI, this will force the rubber bag sleeve between the shock body and cause chaffing/ cutting. 

For Ball Joint front setups using standard front shocks, be aware to tie back the air shock pipe running on the lower line to avoid chaffing and ensure you have adequate clearance for the upper rubber bag under expansion. Again, note upper and lower limits as with the Link Pin models.

Also consider with Ball Joint models, when you reach the mechanical limit of your Ball Joints you will risk damage by adding more pressure. 

If running T1 rear air kit, be aware of your steel and rubber bump stops, once you hit these the kit has nowhere to go and you will only apply more stress to the kit, the first sign you will get is a twist in your lower brackets, if you continue to apply pressure after this point you will cause more damage to surrounding areas. Again, to set up this area as with the front, have a friend monitor the height of the rear of your car when you do initial setup. 

Also at this point consider that swing axle vehicles will lift considerably higher as soon as they move once air’d up due to the camber of the rear axle. When setting your ride heights do so applying pressure then drive the vehicle around approx 10-20 metres to allow the axles to re-settle then tweak and repeat until satisfied.

When Jacking the vehicle up always place the vehicle onto ramps or a jack, then let all the air out of the four corners to avoid an over pressurization situation when lifting the vehicle, then lift the vehicle off the ground afterwards.

If ever leaving your vehicle with a garage or MOT centre unfamiliar with air suspension, make them aware of the upper limits and inspect before and after picking the vehicle up to check for damage.

Always operate between 90-95% of the upper range NEVER 100%. As a general guide line rear kits rear their upper limits at approx 90PSI. The front around 130PSI. If you exceed these limits you WILL cause long lasting damage to the air ride kit brackets / trailing arms / shocks / Hardware.

If you drive the vehicle excessively low you will cause damage to your front axle / beam trailing arms along with the frame head. Always lift the car up to a suitable drive height and maintain air and mechanical joints and unions. 

One final note if you put in a really high pressure and rear the mechanical limits be aware you will be damaging the vehicle even for a very short burst. Be careful and considerate to your air kit and you will enjoy many, many miles of hassle free driving fun.

If you are in any doubt and have a kit or considering purchase of a system and need more information, call us on 01782 922047 or email on: vwparts@limebug.com