IRS bushing replacement and 2" drop.

[nbuscemi]

Figured it was time to finally tackle the rear suspension of my 68 Sedan. I've already replaced 90% of the front end (ball joints, tie rods, etc...) including KYB shocks on all four corners.

Didn't realize what a PAIN taking apart an IRS suspension was. Keeping in mind this was in my garage. Mental note: Don't bother trying the keep the diagonal arm attached to car. The job is 100X easier if you remove it completely from the car.

Old vs New bushings. Yes, these are Polyurethane, because Race Car!

I purchased these from Amazon. The Torsion bushings are from Energy Suspension. The diagonal arm bushings are made by Empi (also Poly). Everything fit perfectly (bushings were rather tight but lube and elbow grease got them in).

While I was at it, I figured I would lower the rear a bit. Front end is sitting on 2.5" drop spindles with stock beam. I decided to lower the rear 2". Using a chart I found on this website I clocked the torsions +7 on the inner splines and -7 on outer splines. Worked perfectly!

Only thing left to do was test drive it!

Car still needs an alignment, but other than that... WOW what a huge improvement!!! Rear feels stiffer, more responsive, all around better handling. I strongly recommend doing the same!

-Nick-
_________________
-Why buy it when you can BUILD it?-

[vwoldbug]

Car looks nice , I would search beetle alignment on the samba . I wouldn't trust anybody else. If you did this work you will be able to do the alignment with a little help.

[Eskamobob1]

[andk5591]

If you have a shop that has a clue, then get it done. I do a quick and dirty at the shop and its usually pretty close. I set the camber straight up and down and the front toe in 1/8". Not hard to do with an angle finder and a couple rulers and some odds and ends.
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[nbuscemi]

The trade school I teach at here in Dallas area has Hunter alignment rack. I plan to do it myself as qualified ACVW mechanics are in short supply.

After looking at the car, I feel I should come up on the rear. Looks a little too low. I did +7 on the inner splines and -7 on the outers. Perhaps I will reverse it two splines on both ends. I just don't feel like taking the rear end apart again.

-Nick-
_________________
-Why buy it when you can BUILD it?-