My cars are both Apal models and now I am at the suspension mock up stage I have an issue. Where the springplate enters the torsion tube there appears to be not enough space for the VW style rubber doughnuts inside or out. Can anyone confirm if they used the VW parts or will I have to fab something in urethane or similair?
I may end up making a different arm with the uniball/spherical type end that will negate this but looking to do this first car with minimal mods.
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Didn't you take it apart?? Or did you buy it dismantled?
I've always seen the end caps that have space for the rubber or poly bushing. That doesn't look to be OEM end cap.
It looks like it doesn't use an inner bushing either - and relies on the solid pipe. Seems it would result in a noisy, rough ride. Here's typical inner bushing - although some use poly bushings.
Check the rear torsion bar hole - on a VW it has an inside diameter of 1.5". It fits tight but if close (might take silicon lube) then VW parts with a new end cap (OEM black or chrome after market) would work. Also try the UK Speedster group - johnm@speedsters.com http://www.speedsters.com/contact.htm
They have a good write-up on the history of Apal. I can't believe they would design it to look VW and then not use VW off the shelf bits. Not sure if IRS and swing axle parts are different in size. Not seeing how a shock will mount back there either.
I am well versed in VW parts...restored 'em for years. I agree it is odd that they used torsion bars etc but have different sized bushings. There are different sized bushes and knobbly and smooth......unfortunately none work with this set up. Shocks mount off the trailing arm as stock onto a fabbed bracket on the rear framework.
Does it have provisions for the torsion bar splines in the inner part of the tube?? This a pic, we like pic's. Using a Uni ball setup. It doesn't repaired any rubber bushings. Just bolt it up.
As above what Ross said, does it have a mount point for the stocks?? Difficult to say from pic's.
Well, maybe a spherical joint may be the easiest way to go. A male/female adapter would facilitate toe setting too I suppose.
Yes, it has the splines in the tube for the VW stuff. There was a box of coilovers in the pile of bits though. Top shock mount can be seen here.
