The Cal-look Lounge

guys,
i am installing the rear suspension,
but i dont remember the angle of the springplate in unstressed form,
i remember the springplate sat just above or under the blothole for the sidecovers

can you help me?
 thanks

Peter

to be honest if your using brand new same size torsion bars this will be important, if your using old slight sagging, i would go with eye but ensure car sits level and both sizes measure the same, nothing worse than seeing standard bugs down at the back because the torsion bars are worn.....

Russell, Hope this helps

When I was re-assembling my Mexican Beetle onto it´s German chassis, my Mexican friend showed me the ROT.  Set the angle so that the bottom edge of the spring plate just skims the top edge of the lower rear bolt hole for the spring plate.  When set this way, the car will have a very slight positive camber on the rear wheels when empty.  Then with you and your mate are in, it will be a bit negative.

thanks guys,
thats what i needed to know :)

And remember if it comes in a little below, turn the inner end of the torsion bar towards the front of the car one spline at the time until you get it exactly right.
It it comes out a little above, turn the inner end towards the rear of the car.

Check the charts here for actual angles in degrees...
http://www.swayaway.com/TechRoom_VWguides.php

One of the many reasons to switch to a SAW torsion bar is one, to get rid of the older/sagging bars, and two, you don't have  to wind them up with preload! They slip in much easier.