Product description

Gas shock absorber
Better handling starts with the right shock absorber. Originally, our classic car is equipped with an oil-filled shock absorber, which perfectly absorbs the shock and therefore does exactly what you would expect from a shock absorber. The gas-filled shock absorbers not only absorb the shock perfectly, but the action of the gases also corrects the contact with the road and the tilting as quickly as possible. This gives you a sporty ride, where handling is significantly improved. "Gas shocks" is the generic term, combining gas and oil. They are available in two types:

Twin-tube: The so-called "Twin-tube" shock absorber is equipped with two separate cylinders. The inner cylinder moves the piston up and down and the outer cylinder serves as a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid. There are fluid valves in the piston and a fixed valve in the housing. The fixed valve ensures that the fluid flows (between the two cylinders and the valves in the pistons) provide damping. The use of gas creates a low-pressure shock absorber for a comfortable and also sporty ride.

Monotube: The "Monotube" shock absorber is divided into two distinct sections: a liquid section and a gas chamber. The working area of the piston is in the fluid section. In this design, no gas is added to the hydraulic fluid as is the case with the Twin-tube, but the gas works completely separately, resulting in a high-pressure shock absorber that follows the contours of the road to the maximum for a sporty ride with perfect handling. Don't forget that Monotube shock absorbers also raise the car a little higher, which in some cases can even be an advantage. If an oil or gas filled Twin-tube shock absorber has a more impressive stroke, this can be solved with Monotube shock absorbers that give just a little more space. We are talking about a minimum increase, which varies from car to car, depending on the weight and condition of the suspension.

Of course, the shock absorbers on both sides of an axle must always be replaced. Never replace only one side, even if it is the same brand and type of shock absorber. If you do, you'll have a handling that deteriorates instead of improving. The overview below shows all the available shock absorbers per model, both for the standard height and for lowered cars. The dimensions are shown on the picture of the shock absorber in question, check them before ordering, especially if the shock absorbers are lowered. If the dimensions are not sufficient, please consult the other shock absorbers in our range. It is often the case that shock absorbers from another Volkswagen model than the one shown below are used. The shock absorber is not intended for this purpose, but it can be made to the desired dimensions, however, this attempt is at your own risk.

All shock absorbers are delivered individually. If additional mounting hardware is included it does not always mean that you have to use it in all cases, many shock absorbers are suitable for several car brands, therefore some shock absorbers are supplied with additional mounting hardware.

Mounting advice: Shock absorbers that are mounted with an eye have a metal bushing that is pressed into the rubber. When disassembling old shock absorbers, they sometimes remain attached to the support arm or mounting bolt (rusted), so that the new shock absorber does not seem to fit. Remove them before installing the new ones (if necessary, use a sharpening tool to sharpen them carefully, then tap them off).

Standard height :

Beetle from october 1952 to july 1965:
Front axle: #1303 twin-tube / #3309 monotube
Rear axle (swing axle): #1303 twin-tube / #1309 monotube
Rear axle (IRS): #1303 * twin-tube / #1309 monotube

Beetle 1200-1300-1500 from augustus 1965 and later:
Front axle: #1304 twin-tube / #1308 monotube
Rear axle (swing axle): #1303 twin-tube / #1309 monotube
Rear axle (IRS): #1303 * twin-tube / #1309 monotube

Beetle 1302 -1303 until july 1973 :
Front axle: #1315 ¹ twin-tube Rear axle
(IRS): #1303 * twin-tube/ #1309 monotubes

Beetle 1303 from augustus 1973 and later:
Front axle: #1317 twin-tube Rear
axle (IRS): #1303 * twin-tube/ #1309 monotubes

Karmann Ghia until july 1965:
Front axle: #1303 twin-tube/ #3309 monotube
Rear axle (swing axle): #1303 twin-tube/ #1309 monotube
Rear axle (IRS): #1303 * twin-tube/ #1309 monotube

Karmann Ghia from augustus 1965 and after:
Front axle: #1304 twin-tube/ #1308 monotube
Rear axle (swing axle): #1303 twin-tube/ #1309 monotube
Rear axle (IRS): #1303 * twin-tube/ #1309 monotube

VW Bus from march 1955 to july 1967:
Front axle: #1303 twin-tube/ #3309 monotube
Rear axle (swing axle): #1303 twin-tube/ #1309 monotube
Rear axle (IRS): #1309 monotube

VW Bus from augustus 1967 to july 1979:
Front axle: #1303 twin-tube/ #3309 monotubes
Rear axle (swing axle): #21309 monotubes
Rear axle (IRS): #21309 monotubes

Type 3 all years/models :
Front axle: #1303 twin-tube/ #3309 monotube
Rear axle (swing axle): #1303 twin-tube/ #1309 monotube
Rear axle (IRS): #1303 * twin-tube/ #1309 monotube

VW Thing all construction years :
Rear axle (swing axle): #1303 twin-tube / #1309 single-tube Rear axle
(IRS): #1303 * twin-tubee / #1309 single-tube

¹ will be delivered without fixing ring #4316, to be ordered additionally

Lowered:

Beetle from october 1952 until july 1965 :
Front axle: #1306 twin-tube
Rear axle (swing axle): #1306 twin-tube
Rear axle (IRS): #1306 * twin-tube

Beetle 1200-1300-1500 from augustus 1965 and later:
Front axle: #1307 twin-tube
Rear axle (swing axle): #1306 twin-tube
Rear axle (IRS): #1306 * twin-tube

Karmann Ghia until july 1965:
Front axle: #1306 twin-tube
Rear axle (swing axle): #1306 twin-tube
Rear axle (IRS): #1306 * twin-tube

Karmann Ghia from augustus 1965 and later:
Front axle: #1307 twin-tube Rear axle
(swing axle): #1306 twin-tube
Rear axle (IRS): #1306 * twin-tube

VW Bus from march 1955 to july 1967:
Front axle: #1306 twin-tube Rear
axle (swing axle): #1306 twin-tube

VW Bus from augustus 1967 to july 1979:
Front axle: #1306 twin-tube

Type 3 all years/models :
Front axle: #1306 twin-tube
Rear axle (swing axle): #1306 twin-tube
Rear axle (IRS): #1306 * twin-tube

VW Thing all construction years :
Rear axle (swing axle): #1306 * twin-tube
Rear axle (IRS): #1306 * twin-tube

* for a correct assembly it is necessary to saw off the protruding bush on the underside of the rear shock (this is the bush through which the fixing bolt passes during assembly) of your old shock and use it as a cushioning ring with your new shock (or use universal cushioning rings).

Additional information on the rear axle: Our Volkswagens have two different rear suspension systems, swing axles and IRS (independent rear suspension). If you do not know exactly which rear axle is mounted, check whether you have shaft covers on the wheel side and on the gearbox side, in this case you are dealing with IRS axles or only on the gearbox side you are dealing with swing axles.