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vw bug spring plates
I am just wondering if the spring plates can be removed from the rear of an IRS bug, or do they keep the rear end in place? I am building a vw trike and was thinking of removing the spring plates and torsion bars and using air shocks from a goldwing. Or can I just remove the torsion bars and cut off the bump stops and add the air shocks? I want to be able to lower the rear end.
Hey East Coast,
They can be removed, however, be warned, they are under very high pressure!!!!! The torsion bars MUST be tied down some how and then slowly released after the plates have been removed.
You might want to seek out a local VW shop that is equipped with the proper tools for releasing the spring tension as doing these yourself can be VERY dangerous.
I know that I can remove the t-bars seen some vids of guys removing them and using coilovers, not sure if I would be able to leave the spring plates off and still be able to drive in a nice straight line, would the vw trailing arms (irs) keep everything in place or would they move around a bit?Originally Posted by stinger608
Hey East Coast,
They can be removed, however, be warned, they are under very high pressure!!!!! The torsion bars MUST be tied down some how and then slowly released after the plates have been removed.
You might want to seek out a local VW shop that is equipped with the proper tools for releasing the spring tension as doing these yourself can be VERY dangerous.
I would think it would move around. Hmm, not sure though. I'm in the middle of pulling the tranny in mine to put solid mounts and I'll take a gander at them when I get that out. It might be okay as the spring plates are not that strong of steel but it may have a swaying issue without them in place.
ok thanks
Not that familiar with the set up, but the younguns are air bagging them (beetles). You could look at what is in use there.
I do not think you can leave the spring plate off, I think it is a critical component. But you can disable the spring. I think the younguns are putting a bar all the way through the spring tube to guide the plate hinge point.
Just a thought...
I don't know much about irs mods.
ok thanks haven't found anything about using a bar yet
The VW trailing arms are mounted in rubber and would definitely not hold the hubs in place without the triangulation support of the spring plates. If you are set on using a coil-over suspension, you can just back the spring plates off the torsion bars to where they are disabled and totally dependent on your coil-overs or air shocks. But I doubt you are going to be successful (and safe) if you truly want to remove the plates and cut the torsion tubes. By the way, if you do go to some type of coil-over for the suspension weight, the ones sold for dune buggies will not be strong enough. Neither will the big Harley type shocks. You will need some automotive type coil-overs that are rated at about 350# on each side to handle it.
I wouldn't advise modifiying anything on the torsion bars or spring plates. If you need some bling in that area, put on some nice dune buggie chrome coil-overs made to augment the spring plates or some good air shocks.
I could be wrong about the bars. I did overhear a youngun say it but he may have been talking about the front beams.
Lower it with the torsion bars. Pull the plate off and move them a couple splines and put it back together. Then if you want it lower or higher just take it apart and turn it a couple splines again.
There is only so far down you are gonna be able to go with stock trailing arms anyway before the geometry/handling gets wonky. You can get to that point with the stock springs.
Any lower you will have to modify or get modified trailing arms to correct the geometry.
thanks for all the info
If you want to completely remove the torsion spring and go bags or coils.
http://www.mooreparts.com/4626-AC501351%2A/
Excellent link man!!!! That is some very useful information for sure. Hmm, I might go that route after this season.
I can imagine....
A low slung tube frame .
Rear engined.
Offset relocate trailing arms mounts to run low and still be in alignment.*
On bags....
I would like to see a rear engine dub with the engine just a couple inches off the ground instead of the normal.
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