74 baja - rear suspension locked up

[scott74baja]

long time reader first time poster.

i've got a 74 baja with an IRS rear end.

the drivers side rear swing plate barely moves, so the ride is rough whenever i hit any potholes. my first thought was that everything was just rusted and seized, so i put it up on jackstand and then put my jack under the drum and it does move, all of maybe a 1/4 inch. then it lifts the whole side off the jack stand.

soaked it all day with pbblaster but since it does move even that tiny amount, i'm guessing it's not a rust issue.

passenger side is fine and moves about 5 inches or so.

any ideas what might be going on?

[Dale M.]

Disconnect shock absorber and test again....

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[scott74baja]

Yep. Shoulda added that. Did. No difference

[cbeck]

My guess is too much preload on the torsion bars. Search reindexing rear torsion bars.
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My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[Dale M.]

Disconnect spring plate and test again....

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[scott74baja]

Yep dale, that frees up the trailing arm and axle, so sounds like cbek is onto something

Guessing the PO or whoever built this rig wanted max height, ride quality be darned. Also explains the off-road lights that weren’t even wired up