Yet another torsion bar question

[antiwork]

Apologies, I've done a fair amount of searching and I'm just not seeing an answer to my specific question. Very likely because I'm not using quite the right terminology.

So, I just bought a 57 Beetle (my first air cooled VW). Overall, it's a solid car, but it needs some cosmetic help, some minor mechanical issues sorted out, and it's been sort of "overly" lowered -- and here is where my question comes in:

I've read all I could and watched videos on adjusting the torsion bars to change the ride height. I totally understand the concept, but when I'm looking at the car, I can't understand how you would mark the position of the spring plate relative to the torsion bar as it's covered with a cap that appears to be welded to the spring plate. My setup looks like the image below, where #27 is capped off on the outboard end covering the torsion bar entirely.

[57BLITZ]

[slalombuggy]

You can buy a cheap magnetic angle finder and use that to measure the angle on your spring plates to get your baseline measurement and adjust from there.

brad

[antiwork]

Ok, thanks guys. Already have an angle finder, I'll go that route I guess...

[Aussiebug]

The stuff about marking the spring plate usually refers to marking the top edge of the plate against the brake hub assembly so you get those elongated bolt holes lined up perfectly afterwards - those elongated holes are for setting the toe out (yes toe OUT) when reassembling.

For the spring plate, once removed from the stop lip and allowed to drop to their rest position, you then either measure the spring plate angle, or measure the height off the floor so after adjusting the torsion bars, you can check to see if the plate angle has changed. Lowering the outer end of the plate towards the floor raises the car's ride height.

Each rotation of one spline at each end of the torsion bar (one up one down) gives you a 0.82 degrees change in the spring plate angle, and about 1/2-3/4" change in ride height.

If you can't get both sides exactly the same height, make the curb side the high side.
_________________
Rob
Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repairs and maintenance for the home mechanic
http://www.vw-resource.com

[antiwork]

That makes sense. I think I have it more or less figured out at this point. Thanks for the responses.

[Kjell Roar]

...and buy new rubbers! (Part 26/2.

Put in one at a time, dont try to press in both at the same time.
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I got a historic car, every scratch got a history...

My car, Aug. 4th, 1955 / an early 56: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=610438