ShopTalk Forums | Aircooled VW Tech & Restoration Help

don't use coilovers only on VW semi trailing arms.

the shock mounting points are NOT designed for that much force, and with a high spring rate and hard driving you will bend or break stuff. (i've not see it, but i've been told on these forums that you can tear the shock mounting point off on a pothole with coilovers only.)

torsion bars should be the bulk of your spring rate. that's where the forces were designed to come from - just the same way they do in the Porsche 944 rear end. stiffer than stock is strongly recommended if you're going for handling. i have some Sway A Way 28mm bars that i'm very happy with. you could also go with something lighter (but still stiffer than stock) - for example T3 torsion bars - and then use coil overs to augment/adjust your spring rate.

just my two bits...

What do the Kafer Cup cars do then? It seems to be pretty common to run coil-overs in that series with apparently no ill effect.
As our semi-trailing arms and the Porsche 944 & 924 arms share components...coil-over kits would seem to be fine if a heavier vehicle using the same arms and coil-overs uses them without problems. I think they pass the test fine.

I agree with DORGIT, all this talk about your suspension ain't strong enough for coilover springs is garbage.
One of the main problems with the Beetle's suspension is the exact opposite : - the suspension arms are too strong & they're so damn heavy compared to a modern car that they tend to thump over potholes that a modern car would never even notice were there - it's just because the modern cars have really thin, lightweight wishbones & susp arms that do break easily.

I think there is some validity to the concerns about shock mounting issues. I've seen pans with bent upper shock mounts. With that said, I see no reason why you couldn't add the appropriate support when you put the coil-overs on.

Hello everyone- I appreciate all the input - I was over at German Look saw a suspension strut/stablizer/coilover displayed in one of their pic's and it showed bars(threaded) that run in all directions from the trans mount area to the shock area in a tringleated pattern and it sure looks like a guy could make up something very close and get a really strong set up useing the coil over type of suspension I am going to try it and I will let you all know how it comes out!
thanks again for all the input
rudgergt

as i confessed up front, i've never personally seen trailing arms damaged by coil-overs. bracing the upper shock mounts with a kafer bar or the like should do up there. but still... i'd keep torsion bars in the loop. i fail to see the advantage of having none at all...

I think the torsion bars are necessary, too. I think the 'benefit' to a good, adjustable coil over is the ease of adjustment... much quicker than having to change torsion bars...

Hello- I think that if change to coilovers the reasons being eaiser changes to ride height and spring weights would out weigh the bars in ease of use in changing- I also think that with enough trianglition with bars that can preload the chassis- the only thing I think you would have to worry about would be the bolt hole in the orginal chassis - you could put a bushing if nessary I guess-
thanks guys for all the thoughts about this question that I had rattling around in my void that I call my brain!!!
thanks again