Spring plate tool VW 656

[Seb67]

In the process of installing newly rebuilt trans and I discover my passenger side spring plate had 'jumped off' the notch/ledge. First tried jacking up the spring plate with floor jack but that just lifts the whole car. Looked at the Bentley manual and it said to use "VW 656". Well I don't have one of those but I do have some bits of wood and a clamp!

At first I tried using a ratchet strap but to no avail.

Using a chainsaw (hah!), I cut a small notch in a piece of scrap 2x4 for the spring plate to ride in. Then used a wood working clamp and a pair of channel locks to tighten the spring plate back into place per the Bentley photo. I was nervous but it worked. Hope this is helpful for someone out there in the same boat. Good luck!

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1964 Type 1

[runamoc]

Surprised the spring plate didn't split the wood block.
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Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 45 yrs - Plan B: '72 Ghia
Yard Art: 2 Sandrails
Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs- '80 Rabbit Diesel
VW Wiring = It's just wires

[RWK]

Good solution, I have used a chain attached to shock tower and to a floor jack to compress plate many times, then a clamp to push plate onto stop while bolting cover on, in the case of resetting your springs.
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73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530

[Seb67]

[Dusty1]

Chain and a floor jack.

I generally pre- load mine one notch and / or use oversize Sway-a-Way torsion bars.

I wouldn't trust a Jorgensen clamp, not even one of my nice German Grosse Stabil clamps or kick- ass Piher welding clamps. Seems to be a great way to get a clamp in the teeth when the car spits it off.

[Seb67]

Does anyone have a photo of the chain and floor jack method?
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1964 Type 1

[Mike Fisher]

[Stinky123]

I woulda made one. But, I don't have one of those clamps.

A trip to the hardware store....BTW Lowes, HOme Depot, Sutherlands, and etc are not Hardware stores. Hardware stores sell BBs, ammo, fishing gear, worms, and etc.

Some all-thread, some nuts, and washers, scrap metal that I already have, and about 5 minutes worth of welding.

As a side-note....when I walk in the to HW store, there will be 3 guys there (w/a gal or 2 thrown in). They will have red vests on (easy to find, try to find a vest at the above), they will act like they are happy to help me and say, something like, do you need any help finding anything SIR.

But, you had that on hand, and it looks good. I pay tribute to your inginuity and design....well done.

ON a rail, I use a come-along and grab on to the frame. Last time I did it, the rail had thick T-bars and it was a beastie to pull the plates up.

[slo356]

Thanks for the ideas as I am working out my strategy for the same job on my '65. Sorta scared of flying parts...

I think if your chainsaw cut was perpendicular instead of parallel to your woodblock's grain, the possibility of the wood splitting might be less?

Would also like a few more photos from those who have gone before with this necessary maintenance.

My plan so far will be a two-ton floor jack, a chain, now a block of wood, a crowbar, really thick welding gloves and a safety eye shield.

To OP:please post a few photos of your progress.
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'65 T1 Sedan
'87 T3 Syncro

[VWFIXER]

Maybe just assemble the entire project and let gravity do the work, maybe leave the axle to spring plate bolts a little loose until you drop it down on the tire. Beats risking appendages.
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( ) Cheap
( ) Fast
( ) Reliable

Choose 2

Over a million air cooled miles driven and 15,000+ cars serviced.

[Q-Dog]

[runamoc]

I made this one, the fine threaded rod stripped on the last spring plate. I'll buy the correct tool next time.

PS wished I had never used those urethane bushings

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Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 45 yrs - Plan B: '72 Ghia
Yard Art: 2 Sandrails
Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs- '80 Rabbit Diesel
VW Wiring = It's just wires

[viiking]

[Bryan67]

EMPI sells them
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If you`re going to do something, do it right.

[Seb67]

[mibinder]

Tool is available from a variety of vendors.

SoCal Imports. $40 Part #: 000116
CIP1 $50
Aircooled.net $45

$40 + shipping but no chains, floor jacks, clamps, blocks, time spent fabricating rather than actual wrenching.

Just a thought...

[rcroane]

Cip1 sells the spring plate tool.....


https://www2.cip1.com/acc-c10-7047/
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'65 Sunroof Bug