Rear Torsion Bar Issue, Need Info

[56 manx]

I looked in the classifieds on here and I didn't find any. there are so so many ads that I just can't look at every one of them. I realize they hardly ever go bad therefor they're probably hard to find somewhat. There should be a way to look for certain items only in the classifieds but I didn't see any.

I have a weak rusty one on the drivers rear of my buggy and I'd like to find a used pair in good equal shape to replace both of them rather than use either one.

Even though I have a swing axle I'm not sure what size the bars are yet, I'll know in several days or so when the mechanic has them out. Hopefully someone on here can point me somewhere to get some good used ones, hopefully not eBay.

If anyone has a ideas of something I could have done with mine like cleaning them up repainting them and using adjustable spring plates or something like that I'd appreciate some info.

Is it even possible to clean and repaint the rusty weaker bar and adjust it to make my buggy set evenly?

I'm not very knowledgeable about what can be done with torsion bars but I'm wanting to learn a little more for when I have to deal with the mechanic, the Beetle manuals I have don't say much about them.

[pallen]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1091834

A search would be nice in the classifieds, I go to google put in what i'm looking for, "vw swing axle torsion bars for sale the samba"

[BL3Manx]

The classifieds are totally search-able. Just put your cursor on the Classifieds icon at the top of this page and after the subtitles open, scroll down 5 lines and click on "search". Here is one for torsion bars

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?...ton=Search

If you had a rusty torsion bar or any damage like scratches or gouges in the torsion bar, it will develop stress fractures and crack in a very short period of time. You also must keep torsion bars on the same side of the car for their entire life. You can't swap right for left or again they will quickly break.

Did you really mean to say you have a rusty torsion housing? If so your best option is to find a new chassis.

[73SpeedBuggy]

Each side's ride height can be adjusted independently by reindexing. Adjustable spring plates do make fine tuning much easier though.
_________________
Manxter #39 on a 1971 Pan
Turbo-charged Subaru EJ25D (DOHC)
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3923620/1971-volkswagen-beetle#

-Adam

[56 manx]

Thanks for the replies everyone, you can almost always count on other members on here for help. A friend called me this afternoon and said he has a set from a '66, if they're the same size as mine I'm all set. If not I have the info from this thread. Thankfully I didn't have to resort to eBay.

Thanks again everyone.

[56 manx]

[56 manx]

[andk5591]

There is a table on here that tells you know what change in height (up or down) you will make by rotating the springs. I'm getting ready to do this in a week or so on our buggy, but have 3 or 4 other cars over the last couple years.

If your springs are damaged by rust do NOT use them - these things get an incredible workout and any additional stress in the metal is a bad thing.

Here's a couple links http://www.airheadparts.com/vw-rear-height-adjustment

http://vw.zenseeker.net/Wheels-TorsionBars.htm
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1776.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard project at wife's request and your gonna die when you see this one.

[BL3Manx]