'69 Bug - Rear Wheelhouse Mounting Studs

[Charlo]

Hello Forum Members,
I continue on with my ground-up restro of my '69 Bug.
In searching the forum, and going through all of my various vendor catalogs, I'm not able to determine the purpose of the mounting studs on the rear wheelhouses - as shown in the pics - some orig paint showing, and painted over stud(s). This was an orig California car - if that might help in figuring out the purpose of the studs.
I'd certainly appreciate any/all input on this. Thank you much!

right rear 1

right rear 2

left rear 1

left rear 2

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1969 Type 1171 Sunroof Sedan

[TheViking]

They are for the Z bar

[johneliot]

In the previous years they had what was called a "Z" bar. It served the same purpose of a sway bar. To save money, VW just left the attachment on instead of having to redo the whole body just to get rid of the mounting points.
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John

There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress.
Mark Twain

69 bug - "The Grey Ghost"

[Chad1376]

Just to clarify, the Z-bar functions with a swing axle. It's not a sway bar, and isn't compatible with the later IRS.

Discussion regarding the function of the Z bar will end up in differing opinions and long winded debates....
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My never ending 1302 Autocross Project:
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&a...02b8f83f22

[Charlo]

Wow. TheSamba Forum rocks, and comes through once again!
Without the forum, and sometimes YouTube, I'm sure my project could take 2 to 3 times longer to complete...
Thanks to all!
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1969 Type 1171 Sunroof Sedan

[TheViking]

The z bar’s function was to work as an extra damper. They could have softer torsion springs to give the car better handling when there was only one or two persons in the car. When there was a lot of luggage and many person the z bar would «activate» and work as an extra damper to get a little stiffer car

[johneliot]

From Bentley’s Official Service Manual (’66-’69—Blue Manual)

Transmission and Rear Axle, Page 70, Section 11, Equalizer Springs:

“The purpose of the equalizer is to produce an additional progressive spring action to assist the torsion bars when under load. Because the operating levers slant in opposite directions, the action of the equalizer spring does not affect body roll, and the front axle assembly is there-by enabled to absorb more roll to give better cornering of the vehicle.”
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John

There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress.
Mark Twain

69 bug - "The Grey Ghost"