1969 Bug Torsion Bar/Trailing Arm Installation

[Charlo]

Hello Samba Forum,

I've successfully have had new bushings installed on the ends of the torsion bars on my '69 Bug. Now I have questions as to the correct procedure for installing them at the
pivot bolt chassis point.
Two large washers come with the pivot bolt. The torsion bar seems to 'naturally' fit tight against the INNER surface of the attachment housing (i.e. closest to the center of the pan).
This leaves a large gap at the OUTER area of the attachment housing (where the two large washers are in the pictures).
I wondering what the correct mounting is? Should one large washer be on each side of the torsion bar end? (This seems to make it a 'forced' fit).
And what foot-pounds should the pivot bolt be tightened at?
I'd appreciate any and all feedback on this issue (my first rebuild).
Thank you!

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1969 Type 1171 Sunroof Sedan

[bigfatloser]

Both washers outboard.

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DMZFAB.COM

[runamoc]

The Bentley manual will screw you up here. It shows a picture of the washers split, one on one side, one on the other and another with them on one side. I went by the picture thinking they should be split. Didn't seem right. Look at the Bentley manual again. I verbally abused Mister Bentley. They go on the outside and the bolt needs 87 ft/lbs then 'peened' at one of the grooves of the bolt head into the metal 'collar' around the bolt head.

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Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 44 yrs - Plan B: '81 Rabbit Diesel LS Deluxe - Plan C: '72 Ghia
Yard Art: 2 Sandrails
Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs-
VW Wiring = It's just wires

[74 Thing]

I thought that they were meant for adjustments in the rear suspension and based on what you needed it determined where you put the washers.

It has been a long day though so I could be wrong.

[Pruneman99]

I'd be more apt to follow the Bentley, other than try to re-engineer it.

[Charlo]

OK! Thanks so much to all of you for your input.
Good 'ol Bentley! Good 'ol Samba!
Very, very good to know about the 'peening' part ...

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1969 Type 1171 Sunroof Sedan

[Vanillagurilla]

And make sure to use a punch or a blunt chisel to set the bolt after it's torqued so it won't back out on you, that's what those notches in the bolt head are for.