Rear Trailing Arm Angle

Ozzie · Post by **Ozzie** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 5:37 am

OK. Progress update.
Tried to set at 16 deg off horiz. Must be too much for the 28's because I couldn't get the plates back up to the perch. Re-think, re-group. Set at 9 deg. Had to use a floor jack with a 3" ratchet strap wrapped around the upper shock mount and the jack itself. Made kinda like a press. Got them up on the perches. Are the pivot covers really supposed to be torqued to 80 ft lbs. Those screws are kinda small for all that, aren't they? The diagonal arm socket head bolts are a PITA to get started. Wrestled with the arms for an hour but got them in. Still have yet to bolt up the axels to the spring plates. Ran out of time (daylight, I work in the drive). I'll get them on & put the wheels on & see how we sit. I'll update as I know something. I just hope that when I set it down, the plates rise off the perch. I'm pretty sure I'm too high.
Sorry I doubted you fullnoise56. The numbers you gave sounded just way too far off for initial set. I'm becoming a believer.
Oz

EDIT: Oz you dummy, add not subract... The car's sitting at an angle, butt up, nose down. Needed to add that angle into the mix. I was trying to install them at 21 deg off horiz. That's why it took so much to get them back up to the stops. Geeze.

Southernbug · Post by **Southernbug** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 10:47 am

80 ft. lbs. is WAY to much on those small spring plate cover bolts. Torque them to more like 24 to 30 ft. lbs. each. The big spring plate bolts and the IRS pivot bolt are all 80+ ft. lbs.

Ozzie · Post by **Ozzie** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:54 pm

That's what I'm thinking too.

But, Oh Bentley, hallowed be thy name.

1970 through 1979 Super Beetle, Beetle, Karmann Ghia
Chapter 3, Page 56, Articles 7 - 9
7. Using a tensioner, lift the spring plate onto the lower stop, as shown in Fig. 11-8. Install the original spring plate hub cover bolts and tighten them to 11.0 mkg (80 ft.lb.).
8. Secure the diagonal arm to its bracket with the fitted bolt and washers. Tighten the bolt to 12.0 mkg (87 ft. lb.). Lock the bolt by peening it to the shoulder of the bracket, as shown in Fig. 11-9.
9. Secure the spring plate to the diagonal arm. Be sure the alignment marks match. Torque the bolts to 11.0 mkg (80 ft. lb.).

I torqued them to 60 flb in 20 flb increments. Set the t-wrench to 80 & after a little tug...decided 80 flb, the 18" handle and my monkey ass was just wrong. I've wrung off too much hardware in my life to continue in this direction without some direction. There so small & cute, how are they going to resist an idiot with a big wrench? Anyway, what do you think? And thanks for the listen.

Southernbug · Post by **Southernbug** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:14 pm

Dont worry OZ...

My monkey ass has wringed the head off many cute little unsuspecting bolts. Maybe that should be the criteria to the club........blatant use of brute force and stupidity!

Ozzie · Post by **Ozzie** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 1:54 pm

How many licks...

The answer is 12.
12 Degrees for a 28mm Swat-a-way rear torsion bar to sit at the correct elevation. You want higher or lower, adjust from there. 3 deg, 30 min makes a 1" difference.
Upper pic is 21 deg initial setting. The spring plates didn't even come off the stops. Lower pic is 12 deg. Fender lip measures 22" from ground measured through centerline of wheel.

Oz

Southernbug · Post by **Southernbug** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 5:14 pm

Hey Oz,

Your car looks awesome! With those new torsion bars its gonna handle like a go-kart!

Rock on,
Shane