[r1volta]

My 1970 VW Type 1 Conv's front suspension won't move. Its stuck at highest point. Lubed the fittings until grease came out. Two of us got on front bumper and it will not move.
Car sat for 10 years. Put in new shocks.

[MARTINSR]

That is pretty odd. The front suspension on your car consists of two torsion bars (they are actually a stack of four pieces of flat stock as I remember) going from one side to the other when those two pieces of tubing you see across the front of the car right behind where the spare tire sits. They are stationary in the middle and each side twists when the week goes up turning the control arms up.

This is a super basic setup and I can't imagine what could cause it to be locked up like that. When the shocks were off did it move?

Brian

[r1volta]

Both front shocks were dead. I removed them. The left front was stuck opposite from the right. I moved it with a 2X4. I thought it might free up after putting it on thr ground. It didn't. I did not try the right front.
I did lube it and grease did come out. My plan is to put it back in the air and try moving the suspension with the same 8' 2X4. If it moves work it up and down to loosen it up.
For some strange reason this car has no rust anywhere. I have never seen a VW beetle in New England with no rust.

[MARTINSR]

I have only had one of those fronts apart many years ago and don't remember anything to give you any advice on what could be happening. Other than of course to simply start pulling it apart. I have to assume it's something with the torsion bars, maybe they are rusted up or the bushings at the ends are.


Brian