RR torsion bar

RR torsion bar - type 1

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

chris - 04 Aug 2005 19:20 GMT

I've got mild, visible sag in the right rear wheel compared
to the left. It was this way when I bought the car (1961)
twenty years ago. Two well-respected shops I've spoken with
have said not to adjust it because the torsion bar will sometimes
break if you do. I use the car mainly for long distance driving
and don't want to get stuck somewhere, obviously. With all the
forum messages indicating people have had no trouble with this
procedure, maybe I should ask if anyone has had one break (?)

tia,
chris

Reply to this Message

Shag - 04 Aug 2005 22:51 GMT

>I've got mild, visible sag in the right rear wheel compared
>to the left. It was this way when I bought the car (1961)
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>tia,
>chris

I turned mine down a notch on my old '63 baja and then put it through
harder use than 99% of the old VWs would ever be subjected to and
didn't have a problem with it at all. 31" truck tires getting slammed
up and down on the trails all the time. Maybe I was just lucky, but
that was my experience with it. Here ya go:
(click the small pictures for full-sized pics with explanations)
http://bugadventures.dyndns.org/vw/torsion/torsion.html

Reply to this Message

Hal - 05 Aug 2005 00:01 GMT

>From what I've been told they only break if you switch them from one

side to the other. Re-indexing to level the car is outlined in the
bentley manual, so I can't see how it could cause one of the torsion
arms to break unless they are showing signs of corrosion.

Chris

Reply to this Message

MUADIB® - 05 Aug 2005 03:14 GMT

Just make sure you check the torsion "bars" for scratches and rust
while you are pulling them for adjustment. That should make you very
aware of what kind of shape they are in. If you have a bently or other
VW manual there is a picture of the springs there somewhere. yours
should look as pretty as the picture or they have been neglected and
will likely suffer. This, by no means, is not gospel,........... Just
increased likelihood of breakage.
If you'd like a picture of a good torsion spring ( 73 model ) I can
shoot some really good pictures and email them to you.

>I've got mild, visible sag in the right rear wheel compared
>to the left. It was this way when I bought the car (1961)
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>tia,
>chris

Remove "YOURPANTIES" to reply

MUADIB®

http://www.angelfire.com/retro/ssterile/MAIN%20PAGE.html

If A Quiz is Quizical,
What is a test?

The Peacemaking Meeting scheduled for today has been
cancelled due to a conflict.

Reply to this Message

chris - 05 Aug 2005 14:54 GMT

> Just make sure you check the torsion "bars" for scratches and rust
> while you are pulling them for adjustment. That should make you very
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> If you'd like a picture of a good torsion spring ( 73 model ) I can
> shoot some really good pictures and email them to you.

Thanks to everyone for all the great help/advice. I'll give it a shot.
Something's got to be done. Handling and tire wear are terrible.

best,
chris

Reply to this Message

Gary Tateosian - 06 Aug 2005 13:54 GMT

make sure you have a new set of inner and outter torsion bushings on
hand...they are shot...trust me. Replace them. If you go with the
eurathane beware that they will usually need some work to fit
correctly. Replace bushings on both sides even if you only index teh
drivers side. Buy the torsion adjustimg tool..or borrow one if you can
spare the cash. Yes the chain and jack method works...and has done so
for years, but the torsion tool works much safer and better. If you
happen to live in florida you can certainely borrow mine. =-)

..Gareth

Reply to this Message