Noisy Torsion Bars

[Chris E.]

The rear torsion bars on my 64 bug are extremely noisy (squeaky) when driving, and going over any size of bump. I don't think it is the spring plate bushings because they are urethane and greased.

What could the problem be and how do I go about fixing it?  

[silas]

my money is on the urethane bushings. afaik, they are notoriously squeaky

are you sure the noise is coming from the torsion bars tho? can you get someone to \"bounce\" the suspension while you try & pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from.

 

[Chris]

have you checked your torsion oil level?

[Bruce]

When you installed the urethane bushings, did you grind them to fit the torsion housings?  If not, that is your problem.

[silas]

When you installed the urethane bushings, did you grind them to fit the torsion housings?  If not, that is your problem.

good point bruce.

[Jeremy]

I'm with Chris, Have you checked the torsion tube oil level?

[Chris E.]

The urethane bushings were installed when I got the car. Don't know if they have been ground.
 
Where do they need to be ground?

The torsion oil level??

I'm just back in this hobby after about a 10 year absence. Thanks for the help.

[silas]

The urethane bushings were installed when I got the car. Don't know if they have been ground.
Where do they need to be ground?

i have found that the outside diameter of the bushing needs to be ground down a little to fit in the torsion tube.

How do I check the torsion tube oil level?.

you get brodie to insert his small, pointy dipstick into 1976bus' rectum. if there are chunks of corn, the level is ok. bits of grass are bad.

there is no torsion tube oil.

[Chris E.]

there is no torsion tube oil.

When I read that, I was like WTF? Should have known better.

[Chris]

The urethane bushings were installed when I got the car. Don't know if they have been ground.
Where do they need to be ground?

i have found that the outside diameter of the bushing needs to be ground down a little to fit in the torsion tube.


you get brodie to insert his small, pointy dipstick into 1976bus' rectum. if there are chunks of corn, the level is ok. bits of grass are bad.

there is no torsion tube oil.

your sick silas.

[Jeremy]

you get brodie to insert his small, pointy dipstick into 1976bus' rectum. if there are chunks of corn, the level is ok. bits of grass are bad.

 

Yuck!!!  

[Tom H.]

The urethane bushings were installed when I got the car. Don't know if they have been ground.
Where do they need to be ground?

i have found that the outside diameter of the bushing needs to be ground down a little to fit in the torsion tube.


you get brodie to insert his small, pointy dipstick into 1976bus' rectum. if there are chunks of corn, the level is ok. bits of grass are bad.

there is no torsion tube oil.

your sick silas.

your right, no oil as it uses GREASE!

[Bruce]

Where do they need to be ground?

 

Likely they weren't installe correctly.  Every set must be ground for a custom fit.

What you have to do is take everything apart and remove the torsion bar.  Reassemble everything and move the spring plate up and down.  If it moves freely, you are done.  Most likely, the urethane grommets will be compressed so much that you won't be able to move the spring plate.  Take everything apart and start grinding to fit the grommets better into the cast torsion housing.   The first one will take twice as long as the second one.

[silas]

your sick silas.

you're right. :lol:  

[Chris E.]

When you installed the urethane bushings, did you grind them to fit the torsion housings?  If not, that is your problem.

Hey Bruce, you were right on the money! I ground down my bushings for a better fit, and the noise is gone.

Thanks.