1972 Bus rear suspension rebuild/refresh?

[72vwtype2]

I am about to embark on rebuilding/refreshing my 72 bus rear suspension. I intend on removing, cleaning and powder coating my CV axle, spring plate, spring plate bearing cover, brake backing plate, brake bearing housing, diagonal arm,  etc....

I have found Bentley and the following very useful:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=576829

However, I was wondering how critical is it to mark the outer torsion bar splines and the spring plate? More than likely the spring plate marking will probably be long gone after powder coating.

Are these markings critical? If so, how do I work around this?

Thanks.

[rekka]

It's not critical, but means you can put things back together without having to worry about measuring angles etc. A couple of centre punch marks works well and should show through the powder coat. It's a pain to have to adjust the the spring plates if you got something out of whack as you don't really know where it will sit until its all back together and on the ground.

[BUSDADDY]

Don't worry about the bars aside from marking them L and R on the outer ends, you'll be levelling the bus and using a protractor to set them up when going back in anyways. The place to make marks is the spring plate to bearing housing and diagonal arm joint, that's where the rear alignment is set and a groove across all 3 pieces top and bottom before dismantling makes it much easier to get in the ballpark afterwards.

[72vwtype2]

That's what I figured, as Bentley makes no mention of this procedure.

I will cold chisel a mark where the spring plate, brake bearing housing and diagonal arm meet and will also mark up the torsion bar L/R (if it's not already by the factory).

Thanks.

[72vwtype2]

I know have the CV bearings & wheel bearings out. They appear to be the original ones and seem to be in decent shape.

Should I re-use or replace them?

My biggest fear is replacing them with crap reproduction bearings.

Any advise is appreciated. Thanks.

[BUSDADDY]

If there's no pitting or roughness wash them out and repack them, it's hard to find good replacements. Some new seals and boots and you'll be good for many more years. I like to flip the CV's so the loaded side is on the coasting side to spread the wear around.