TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Mar 06, 2016 2:28 pm

Hey all... my rear tires are rubbing the torsion tube... in think that's what it's called... question is.. is it possible to notch a little off one side of the tube to clear the tread on my tire?

Sun Mar 06, 2016 4:03 pm

No, the inside of the tube is splined for the torsion bar and the tube can not be cut. Pick up a pair of Swing axle spring plates (1960- 1968) and matching torsion bars. The spring plate cap is almost flat.

Sun Mar 06, 2016 4:09 pm

Can ya shoot me in the right direction as far as which exact parts to get as well as a how to swap? I'm having trouble finding then info.

Sun Mar 06, 2016 4:47 pm

you need two sets of five parts per side:

Swing arms for 21 3/4 torsion bars & IRS, any year but 1968:

http://www.mooreparts.com/vw-rear-irs-spring-plates-for-21-3-4-torsion-bar/

Swing arm end cap.: these are regrettably chrome plated:

http://www.mooreparts.com/chrome-swing-torsion-caps/

two different sizes of torsion bar bushings. the representative at Mooreparts knew what I needed and told me which parts to get and where to put them. that was 9 years ago, so I might be wrong, but I believe it was:

http://www.mooreparts.com/vw-rear-spring-plate-grommets-knobby-shaped-1-3-4-id/

http://www.mooreparts.com/vw-rear-spring-plate-grommets-knobby-shaped-1-7-8-id/

and the torsion bars. these are 26 mm. if you want a stiffer ride, 27 & 28 mm are available at the same price:

http://www.mooreparts.com/sway-a-way-volkswagen-rear-suspension-torsion-bars-26mm-x-21-3-4/

$16.95: 1 pair of caps
$18.45: this pair of bushings
$18.45: that pair of bushings
$181.90: spring plates, 2 at $90.95 each
$260: torsion bars, pair

so around $530 with shipping and a weekend shot getting then on. If you want to raise the rear by reclocking the spring plates, now is the time. that is another project requiring parts and a bushel of $$$

Sun Mar 06, 2016 5:31 pm

I really appreciate that! But whew.. might as well get 30x9.5 15 tires!!!

Sun Mar 06, 2016 6:13 pm

Either go smaller tires or wider suspension. The latter costs more.

Sun Mar 06, 2016 6:38 pm

You can pull all the parts from a swing axle torsion. Just cut the spring plates to be irs ones. You can probably get a complete torsion for $50

Sun Mar 06, 2016 7:16 pm

Quote: might as well get 30x9.5 15 tires!!!

your transmission and engine will appreciate it, and live longer

Sun Mar 06, 2016 7:20 pm

would a wheel spacer bring the tire out enough to miss the housing?

Sun Mar 06, 2016 10:39 pm

How long are your torsion plate tubes? There's three different sizes. The shortest are around 21" and don't have a tube sticking out. The (approx) 24" and 26" torsion bars have about a 4" or 6" tube sticking out respectively. FWIW, on my rail I have the 26" bars and my 31"x9.5-15 mud tires just barely miss the tube. To go any bigger I'd need a longer and wider rear diagonal arm.

If you ever plan on swapping in a bus transmission (3, 5 or 6 rib) you'll need 2x3 arms to allow you to use the commonly available 18 3/8" standard Bus axles. That would allow you to clear 33" tires easily, but is probably the most costly solution available to you. If you ever have to replace your trans, that would be the best time to think about a Bus trans swap.