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Rear Suspension Sag
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Intrinsic
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:41 am    Post subject: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

My70 Fastback sags in the rear. I have replaced the torsion rod bushings and positioned the torsion rods in their original orientation, but the sag persists; its about 1.5 inches lower at the rear bumper on the left than on the right.

I know that I can reindex the torsion rod, but if the torsion rod is suffering from fatigue than any improvement could be short lived. I am considering adding adjustable coilover or air shocks in the rear to supplement the torsion rod.

Does anyone know of a good, highly adjustable coilover other than the one from EMPI?

If I use air shocks, is it a bright idea to inflate them to different pressures on the right and left to take out the sag in the left torsion rod? Or, will the asymetric pressure in the shocks lead to poor ride and handling?

Thanks


Last edited by Intrinsic on Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:50 am; edited 1 time in total
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Erik G
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:56 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

No real coilovers are available and air shocks are useless here. You really just need to re-adjust or replace the torsion bar, it's the correct method. I would just adjust and be done
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riva
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:58 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

My chip in.. I would think asymmetric pressure would be fine in this use. I suspect it would improve handling since the existing suspension is uneven. I could probably come up with other reasons to talk myself out of helper airs but the uneven pressure wouldn't be one.
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KTPhil Premium Member
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:01 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

Is the front absolutely level? Front and rear will interact.
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mdege
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:03 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

Are you sure no one has messed wit the torsion bars?

I am asking because I managed to mess them up on my first squareback. I had to replace the badly worn rubber bushings and didn't have the right tools to set the spring plates at the correct angle. I was 19 or 20 at the time and didn't know any better.

Just set the torsion bars correctly and be done with it for a very long time.
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Bobnotch
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:24 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

Erik G wrote:
You really just need to re-adjust or replace the torsion bar, it's the correct method. I would just adjust and be done


I think even Bentley says this. It's probably the best way to go as well.
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Mike Fisher
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:13 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

I raised the left rear torsion bar 1 inner spline to get my square level .
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Intrinsic
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:44 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

Here are the measurements of the height taken at the bumper rub strip and the body seam

DF 15 1/4" ...................... PF 16"
DR 15" ............................ PR 15 1/2"

So the sag is not quite a large as it appears, but I would like to get it level at the stock stance.
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Mike Fisher
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:59 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

For a 1/2" change you can raise the inner by one spline & lower the outer by one spline.
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Intrinsic
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 20, 2023 7:48 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

Thanks, I will have to retireve my torsion bar compressor tool and reindex the splines.
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Roadbeater
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2023 4:51 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

If you're going to pull it apart, the squareback torsions are larger and won't drop with people in the rear seat.
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Multi69s
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2023 12:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

^^^^^^^^^

What he said
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Erik G
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2023 12:56 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

Multi69s wrote:
^^^^^^^^^

What he said


22mm vs 23.5mm when the extra load capacity Mcode is present right? they also stiffened the rear cross member and had a beefier front sway bar.

Call me crazy but just swapping the rear torsion bars doesnt seem all that smart to me. then again, some here do some pretty questionable things based on theory, so I guess it fits. I'd just adjust it per the Bentley and be done with it
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KTPhil Premium Member
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2023 2:24 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

The front is further out than the rear.
Start there to get it level, then you may not need to do anything with the rear.

But first... fender and bumper metal could have been tweaked. I judge "level" by measuring from the ground to the bottom of the rocker chrome trim, at its front- and rear-most edges. They should be equal all around.
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Multi69s
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2023 4:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

Erik G wrote:


Call me crazy but just swapping the rear torsion bars doesn't seem all that smart to me. then again, some here do some pretty questionable things based on theory.


There is absolutely no possibility of damaging anything by installing the heavier torsion bars. However, if you travel light, it might give you a firmer ride.

As a side note, virtually all of the rear end components are swappable between a Type 3, and a Type 1. My Squareback has Type 1 Trailing arms, because the original ones were bent. We also used Squareback torsion bars in our Bajas, as an economical way to stiffen up the rear end.

I am one of the crazy ones,
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Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
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Auto Trans Rebuild http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516066&highlight=
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Slow 1200
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 6:07 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

just lower the front Laughing
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Intrinsic
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 6:27 am    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

Thanks for the discussionand all the good suggestions, I will remeasure the sag using the chrome strip.
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Bobnotch
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2023 2:14 pm    Post subject: Re: Rear Suspension Sag Reply with quote

Intrinsic wrote:
Thanks for the discussionand all the good suggestions, I will remeasure the sag using the chrome strip.


Yup, that's a great way to check ride height when you're done. Plus pulling it apart will allow you to check for any damage to the bars. Bentley talks about the paint peeling/coming off as "damage" as it allows the bars to rust. IDK if your car has been caught in a flood or not either.
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120
Tram wrote:
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Tram wrote:
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