Adjustable spring plate installation for swingaxles

I want to lower the ride height in the back on my recently built turnkey VS. Would you believe that it came from the shop with one adjustable spring plate on one side and a non adjustable on the other? So I sprung up for a pair of new adjustable spring plates for swingaxles from a store in California owned by a guy called Steve Serrano. I saw the advertisement in The Samba for $85.00 a pair; definitely a great deal. JJr and myself adjusted the ride height in his IRS car following Gord's article and it came out great. Is there any mystery in the installation and adjustment of these things on swingaxles? Any pointers on how to do it right quickly and efficiently?

Isn't that the thing that can take your hand off if your not careful?

Definitely! Use the Bugpack tool to do it....

Ricardo,
I did the adjustable plate install on mine and I love it. Before you take anything off, see how much adjustability you need. Measure the angle of the plate relative to ground with one of those magnetic type angle tools then lift the car to where you would like the car to be then again measure the angle of the plate relative to the ground again. The difference in angle is the amount you want to keep in mind when you install the new plates. Allow for some adjustment for lowering and lifting the car so you want to install the plates with them adjusted halfways (the adjuster screws i.e.) and installed in the angle that gave you the height you wanted. You will have to install some washers between the retainer cover and the base to allow for the extra thickness of the two plates as on the adjustable assembly. Also, use new rubber. I hope this helps.
Tony

Ricardo,
I did the adjustable plate install on mine and I love it. Before you take anything off, see how much adjustability you need. Measure the angle of the plate relative to ground with one of those magnetic type angle tools then lift the car to where you would like the car to be then again measure the angle of the plate relative to the ground again. The difference in angle is the amount you want to keep in mind when you install the new plates. Allow for some adjustment for lowering and lifting the car so you want to install the plates with them adjusted halfways (the adjuster screws i.e.) and installed in the angle that gave you the height you wanted. You will have to install some washers between the retainer cover and the base to allow for the extra thickness of the two plates as on the adjustable assembly. Also, use new rubber. I hope this helps.
Tony

Tony; thank you so much for the pointers! The car needs to go down about an inch on both sides so that the top of the rim lines up with the top of the wheelwell. Where can I get the tool to measure the angle? I've seen the original VW tool shown on the Bentley manual but I'm figuring it's almost impossible to get nowadays.....With regards to the rubber, do you think that being remanufactured by VS just last year means that it was replaced?

Ricardo,

Your wheel (rim) should be just aligned with the body fender lip. Adjust your front so the car is level. Look at my picture in my folder (the one that shows up as an "X" and which doesn't display the thumbnail.

I got mine at Home Depot and I know they are also available at Harbor Freight. If you have any problem locating one in "La Isla Del Encanto", let me know.

Thank you bud! Man your car looks killer! I'll check with Home Depot here.....

An update: JJr and myself just finished the installation; the car looks killer now; somewhat of an outlaw. I'm telling you the stance is very important in the look of our 356's. The car needs to be lowered in the back so as to have the correct look. I found out that all the bushings were new; it's good to know that Kirk replaces all that important stuff. Even though I bought a pair of spring plates I ended just installing the one on the right side. For some mysterious reason my car came from VS with an adjustable spring plate on the left side but not on the right. I got lucky because the pair I ordered (I could only get them in pairs) was exactly the same kind as the one the car had installed. If anyone needs a left adjustable spring plate let me know; I've got a new one....

Great Ricardo, I am glad it all worked out!

Thanks Tony! Now my car is looking as mean as yours!!!!