Raising the back end?

I have a swing axle on the rear of my VS and need to raise it up just a little. I have read my VW'S for idiot's book and it doesn't make mention of adjusting the rear, just the front. Does anyone have any advice so I don't keep draggin my tailpipe around town. My chrome will thank you.
-Wil

Buy a Bentley VW maintenance manual for early VW's and it will describe the process. Inner/outer torsion bar splines are different which allows you to rotate one spline end one way and the other another way to change camber/ride height. You could buy a spirit level angle gauge, measure what you have now (and mark for a baseline as you take it apart to reset), then use the gauge to get the change you want. Combinations of spline changes (like large spline one clockwise and small spline one counter-clockwise for example) allow fairly small changes.

(Message Edited 9/10/2002 12:25:09 PM)

I had the same problem and an inexpensive way I solved the problem was to install air shocks. Picked them up off Ebay for $33 and they bolted in with minor modifications. (my car is a tube frame and someone had moved the original upper shock mount 2 inches so I had to make a bracket to move it back)

Now I just pull up to the air hose and raise or lower the car about 2-3 inches.

test

try this link:

vwmagazine.hypermart.net/tech.html

It has a very detailed description of reindexing the torsion bars. I do know some guys that are using coil over springs. This all brings up some thoughts I have on advice I recently received from some respected people in race engineering. I'll share that later.

(Message Edited 9/12/2002 2:45:38 PM)

I have adjustable spring plates onmine. I bought a set and added some extra welding to make them stronger. The hard work is usually taking the stock ones off because they might be preloaded such that they are against the stops when you car is lifted, they can hurt you. If you place a jack underneath or use the special tool, then you're ok and it is relatively easy. Installin is easy. I threaded the adjusters 1/2 way and installed the plates such that the lower plate edge coincided with the stop and then installed new rubber bushings. Oh yeah, use longer bolts and 3 10-mm washers to make up for the plate thickness. If you do not, you'll crush the outer rubber and distorted. I love the adjustability!! I hope this helps you and others. I'll post pics too.

Regards,
Tony
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