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Hello,

I recently purchased your spring plates and torsion bars for my 1976
standard VW beetle. The instructions dont really explain how far in the
torsion bars should be toward the torsion housing. Can someone please
tell me if these are installed correctly?

Spring plates : SAW-4203
Torsion Bar : SAW-1229

Photos:

Image 1 - new spring plate and torsion bar installed. http://auction.varton.com/image1.jpg

Image 2 - new spring plate and torsion bar installed. Gap between spring
plate and torsion housing. http://auction.varton.com/image2.jpg

Image 3 - new spring plate and torsion bar installed. Lower stop
re-welded http://auction.varton.com/image3.jpg

Image 4 - stock spring plate still installed http://auction.varton.com/image4.jpg

Image 5 - stock spring plate on lower stop http://auction.varton.com/image5.jpg

Image 6 - new spring plate on lower stop http://auction.varton.com/image6.jpg

Should that gap exist between the spring plate and torsion housing? My
stock spring plates seem to sit against the torsion housing.

Thanks
Dean

not sure but looks like maybe about 1/8" space inside spring plate is left until it bottoms on the torsion bar's outside end. (cant see it clearly) The spring plate may need to be to be (persuaded) with a BFH and pounded in a bit more. DO NOT!!!!!!! hit the end of the torsion bar / spring plate housing with the hammer!!! it will never seat properly if you do that, it will muchroom the inside of the cap!!!!!!!!
Mine looks similar on my baja after installing new bushings. As long as the spring plate is seated all the way down on the t bar, and you still have 1/8" of stop protruding out under the spring plate, no worries. It should go in a bit more when the bolts are put in and tightened. Jood job bro, You are now a greduate of tostion bars 101!!!!

After looking at the pics it appears that the new plate is notched? Hmmm I would not have done that, But no turning back now. Just make sure that there is not a sharp angle where the notch is. It has to be a gradual radius. ( If its sharp angle it makes a weak spot in the plate.


[This message has been edited by prerunner1499 (edited 01-31-2003).]

[This message has been edited by prerunner1499 (edited 01-31-2003).]

You definatley want to grind a more "sweeping" radius where you have notched out your sping plate. A small die grinder works well for this, but be carefull not to let the area you are grinding get to hot (this will make the spring steel brittle)

Good luck,
Charles