Rear torsion bar adjusting

Group,

'73 pan, IRS

I have all the appropriate jacks/stands chain, etc. in place.
I have removed the rear shock.
I have removed the torsion bar cover plate and rubber gasket.
I have removed the (4) bolts connecting the spring plate to the wheel assembly.

The problem.

I cannot get the wheel assembly to swing either up, down, or to the rear far enough to allow the spring plate to pass by the stop and release all the way down to adjust it a spline or two.

Anyone else been there? Done that?

Brian.

The spring plate is preloaded and pressing down onto the stop. You will have to jack up the spring plate up off the stop and pull it out sideways over the stop and then let it down. A floor jack with wheels works well. Remember to mark the spring, spring plate and chassis before you take them apart so you can put them all back together.

One additional problem can occur if there is too much preload on the spring plate. When you go to jack up the spring plate you end up lifting the car first. Just get someone to sit in the car and you should be fine.

If you don

Ditto!

Here is a very good source on how to raise or lower your rear suspension:
vwmagazine.hypermart.net/tech.html

Ron

Group,
Thanks for the ideas, but I need to explain further.

The problem isn't the stop, with a jack in place i am "off the stop."

It's the fact that the spring plate cannot be wedged out beyond the stop because the wheel assembly plate won't swing down/up/other and get out of the way.

Any ideas?

Brian.

I can