Manuals have incorrect torque data

[Qldelsie]

Due to my mechanical inneptitude, I'm following both Haynes and Bentley manuals religiously while I rebuild my car.
Momentous occasion (for me) that I eventually got all the rubbers in my trailing arms replaced, torsion bars back in in the correct position and tensioned, (which with no engine in the car to hold it down required an inventive mind !) and was finally putting the torsion bar covers back on, with the 4 bolts each side. Manual says 80 ft lbs. My feeble ageing body struggles, and I only get to 55 ft lbs, and meanwhile I am thinking "Why do these bolts need to be so bloody tight ?". Recheck manuals, BOTH say 80. Keep struggling, and get 7 of the 8 bolts to 60 and decide that will do. Move to the last bolt - and it shears off. ************
Totally disappointed as I need to get the brakes and wheels on so I can move the car, I go inside for a cool drink (it is over 30 deg C here at the moment) and check the internet. What do I find posted ?? Only 25 ft lbs required for these bolts !!! You have to be KIDDING !
Does anyone know if there are there any OTHER torque settings in the manuals that are wildly incorrect like this ??
G
PS The fact that I subsequently found the supplier had sent incorrect rear rubber brake hoses (M/F fitting on RHS instead of F/F) was enough to drive me out of the garage for the rest of the day !!
A frustrating day with my Fastback !!

[DHanna]

Are you sure you are reading which bolts require the 80ft lbs? It is 80 for the bolts which holds the axle assembly to the spring plates from memory, not the ones holding the cover plate on the torsion bars.

Yes I know what you are talking about with the flex lines as a supplier did the same to me.

[gt1953]

If I were home i would look it up in my without guess work manual. That has proven to very handy manual.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[Erik G]

the cooling fan bolt torque value is wrong in some manual as well. I guess it comes from years of wrenching on these things but I have a general sense of what's good n tight enough. should have listened to yourself
_________________
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[gt1953]

I do refer to this manual when in question about the Bentley or Haynes or Clymer etc.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/witho...201972.pdf
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[Qldelsie]

Absolutely certain, DHanna. In Bentley's, page 71 item 7 says "install the original spring plate hub cover bolts and tighten them to 11.0 mkg / 80 ft lbs".

Page 71 item 9 says "Secure spring plate to .....diagonal arm ......Torque the bolts to 11.0 mkg / 80 ft lbs.

Can't be much clearer than that !!!

Haynes has only 72 ft/lbs for the spring plate nuts and bolt, and no setting (that I can find) for the hub cover bolts.

Thanks gt1953, useful, but that makes a 3rd item we have to check. Then we have to decide which is correct !! This one says 80 ft lbs for the spring plate bolts, and just 25 for the hub cover plate - Which is what mine are now set at.

Tx,
G

[Bobnotch]

[Qldelsie]