Newbie checking in with first questioni

[Geothing]

Hi all, just picked up a '74 Thing in pretty good shape, excited to clean her up and get her out exploring on the logging roads here in Oregon! I'm replacing the tired torsion bars and inner and outer bushings: do I need to take off the rear fenders to get the bars out??
TIA
Geothing

[Cal Dez Rat]

I was able to reclock my torsions to lift my Thing up in the rear without removing the fenders. It might be tight, but it can be done.

[iltis74]

Do the torsion bars ever get tired? I've only been aware of swapping in stronger ones for drag race launches and such.

There are different amounts of splines on the inner and outer ends of the bars, I believe the numbers are 40/44. This allows you to, say, drop one inner spline, come up one outer spline, and have a net ride height change of about 1/4". That's how you set your rear ride height. Stiffer torsions are still going to have to be clocked and adjusted for ride height, and probably toss the end around more on rough roads.

If you're unaware of this and just yard the things out and new ones in, the odds of the rear end sitting level off the bat are slim at best. You need the car level, and you need an inclinometer.

This could be old news. With only one post, it's difficult to judge your knowledge base.
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65 Beetle
74 Thing
87 Syncro

[Wildthings]

You likely need new torsion bar bushings which should bring the height back close to stock, index the existing bars from there to get the height you want.

[YDBD]

Probably easier with the fenders off. And even easier is air shocks.
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'56 pan Dune Buggy since '69
don't live in the past...but when I did:
'67 bug
'64 baja
'60 dune buggy
'73 Personenkraftwagen Type 182 "Thing"

[Madkel]

Yes, torsion bars get tired. Yes, you can re-adjust to raise and lower, but older tired bars may not hold the new set.

No need to remove rear fenders. I was able to upgrade my bars from the stock 24mm to sway a way 25mm with no issues and no problems with fender interference. Just make sure the bars are stock length as there are 3 choices for the length of torsion bars and torsion end caps.

Just need to follow the directions and be very safety minded as there is a lot of tension.

Evan after placing new bars they will sag a bit as they settle and may need to be re-adjusted to level or get the ride height you are looking for.

All part of the fun of owning a ACVW.

Enjoy and use the forums. Lots of great info and good people here.
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1973 Type 181 - 2016cc - 091 trans
ITS A FUN RIDE!

[Geothing]

Hi guys -
Thanks for all the input! Yes, in my experience torsion bars will "relax" over time, and resetting them won't restore the same spring rate, as Madkel suggests. I've worked on many earlier swing axle VWs, so I'm familiar with the spline/preload setup procedures - it's always a hassle! Minimally I'm putting in new bushings, as the old ones are shot!
Did I see on this forum of a guy who makes spring plates to move the rear wheel back and down just a little bit (1" or so) that doesn't require changing anything else? Maybe an upgrade for later!
Thanks again everybody!
Geothing