Rear Shock Tower Body Pads

[2067Bug]

Does anyone have a procedure for changing the rear shock tower body pads on a 57 bug? Both of the rear fenders are off so I thought it would be a good time.

Thank you

[txoval]

I’ve never replaced just those pads, but if I was going to...

1) loosen pan/body bolts beneath rear seat, not completely remove
2) loosen rear half of bottom pan bolts
3) remove bolts at rear shock tower
4) place under rear bumper bracket and slow lift the body...very slowly
5) raise enough to remove old and insert new
6) move jack to other bumper bracket and do the same
7) re-torque bolts

[2067Bug]

txoval,

Thanks for the response - it makes sense to me. I'm also cautiously considering tackling the spring plate inner and outer bushings, but I hear it is a challenge and can be dangerous. After 61 years, I can only imagine what they look like.

Thanks

[EVfun]

[jason]

Check your door gaps first. I removed mine, got the gaps good, measured the mount area and made some aluminum ones. Gaps will stay put.

[Mark Evans]

[2067Bug]

Mark,

Thanks - I'm watching every YouTube video I can find. Apparently there are tools made specifically for the job. I don't plan on adjusting the torsion bars, just replacing the bushings.

[Mark Evans]

That depends on how they come out. Sometimes you only get the spring plate WITH the torsion.
_________________
'63 Ragtop

[txoval]

Try not to sweat this too much. Once the pressure is removed it’s an easy job.

Keep the jack beneath and spring plate and arms/legs away from it...slowly lower jack while using a big screw driver or pry bar to move the springplate away from the stop.

You do have an angle measuring tool correct?

Since you’re just changing the bushings, if the torsion bar sticks in the spring plate, don’t worry about it, no need to separate them to just change the bushings. Do NOT use urethane bushings! They will squeak like hell later

[2067Bug]

Yes – I have a protractor with a magnetic base, and ordered the bushings (part #11511245A) from WW. The car is totally stripped to include the engine waiting to be professionally painted. I did not see a need to remove the body since there was barely any rust found I'm keeping everything stock along with the original engine.

https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111511245A

Thanks

[txoval]

Just know that without the additional weight, you will either have to chain the shock tower to the jack (so they work against each other) or use the spring plate compressor tool.

[2067Bug]

Txoval,

I’m still waiting for the bushings to arrive. From the WW picture of the bushings, it looks like there is no orientation of the bushing like the later bugs. I have not started the project yet but I noticed that one of the eight (both side) bolts holding the spring plates takes a 15 wrench and the others are 14s, and the 15 is shorter than the rest. It is possible that it was stripped but there is no indication at this point.

I also read that during reassemble it’s best to use two longer bolts to pull the spring plate in. I’m wondering it a C-clamp could do the job. Did you coat the outside of both bushings with talcum power and not put anything on the inside of the bushings?

Thanks

[txoval]

It’s been a few years since I replaced mine...2013

I do not remember different size bolts and I replaced all of them with SS allen-head bolts

You should not need longer bolts and there is no orientation...they are simply round.

I did not use any powder, just a slight smear of grease

[2067Bug]

I wanted to close the post by saying it was an experience replacing the inner and outer bushings, but not as bad as anticipated. I cleaned up the torsion bars, used rubber bushings with a little talcum powder, and torqued everything according to the manual. I used the compression tool more for safety than utility. I found that using the jack beneath the spring plate while prying the springplate away from the stop worked best. And Yes, I used my protractor to set the inclination of the unloaded radius arm according to 57 specs. I also replaced the shock tower pads.

Thanks for all the help.