convict
Well-known member
My 02' New Beetle sits really low to the ground. I believe it has factory springs under it as it was a one owner new car trade in, in 2012. I want to raise my clearance height 1.5" to 2" and I'll tell you why in a minute. When I bought the car I noticed there was very little clearance between the pavement and the underside of the vehicle. I use a Dallas TDI forum mechanic for repairs and I had him go thru the vehicle after I bought it from the dealer. He told me the first thing I should invest in was a dieselgeek skid plate so I didn't mash my oil pan at the first bump.
Even with the skid plate installed I ran over a what I call a road titty this morning. They separate the turning lane at intersections from the other lanes. They are common in older neighborhoods. I heard this loud thump and you know exactly what was crossing my mind ? I got less than a block down the road when the red idiot/oil light on the dash came on. I killed the engine immediately and coasted to the nearest parking lot and found me a home for the bug! Got out and looked under the front of the car and black gold was pouring out. I was sick but I knew it was only a matter of time before this might happen. Well it was due for an oil change in 200 miles, Lol.....
I found 4 stock coil springs used from an 03' tdi new beetle for $ 30.00, the man lowered his NB, I cant imagine why but I didn't ask. His springs are 13" in length.
My question is, how do you determine what length/ height spring to replace the stock coil springs with ? I would like to raise my clearance by 1.5" to 2" and not make the overall appearance look like it's a jacked up off-road beetle....
Another question is I found a standard aluminum oil pan at ID Parts.com for
$ 59.95. Is this a good replacement oil pan and should I get the oil pan bolts for another $ 13.00 & change or just use the ones that I take out of the old one? Does the oil pan come with a gasket seal as well ?
This happened 9:00 am Sunday morning in Dallas, TX. and I spent the rest of my day getting my bug back to Ft. Worth, 55 miles west with the help of a family member and my truck & tilt bed car trailer.
Any feedback, suggestions, comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
PS: I am staying away from them ugly road titty's, not only do they mash oil pans but if you hit one with a soft compound tire it'll make a bubble on the sidewall of your tire. Did that with my Chrysler Crossfire a half dozen times and Discount Tire finally offered me a replacement warranty for each of those expensive Continental tires...
Even with the skid plate installed I ran over a what I call a road titty this morning. They separate the turning lane at intersections from the other lanes. They are common in older neighborhoods. I heard this loud thump and you know exactly what was crossing my mind ? I got less than a block down the road when the red idiot/oil light on the dash came on. I killed the engine immediately and coasted to the nearest parking lot and found me a home for the bug! Got out and looked under the front of the car and black gold was pouring out. I was sick but I knew it was only a matter of time before this might happen. Well it was due for an oil change in 200 miles, Lol.....
I found 4 stock coil springs used from an 03' tdi new beetle for $ 30.00, the man lowered his NB, I cant imagine why but I didn't ask. His springs are 13" in length.
My question is, how do you determine what length/ height spring to replace the stock coil springs with ? I would like to raise my clearance by 1.5" to 2" and not make the overall appearance look like it's a jacked up off-road beetle....
Another question is I found a standard aluminum oil pan at ID Parts.com for
$ 59.95. Is this a good replacement oil pan and should I get the oil pan bolts for another $ 13.00 & change or just use the ones that I take out of the old one? Does the oil pan come with a gasket seal as well ?
This happened 9:00 am Sunday morning in Dallas, TX. and I spent the rest of my day getting my bug back to Ft. Worth, 55 miles west with the help of a family member and my truck & tilt bed car trailer.
Any feedback, suggestions, comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
PS: I am staying away from them ugly road titty's, not only do they mash oil pans but if you hit one with a soft compound tire it'll make a bubble on the sidewall of your tire. Did that with my Chrysler Crossfire a half dozen times and Discount Tire finally offered me a replacement warranty for each of those expensive Continental tires...
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