Rear torsion bar bushes

So, I have been having a nightmare trying to fit new bushes, reindexed torsion bars, new buses and covers from Schofields, they are an absolute nightmare to get back on, the bushes seem too big, I can't get the springplate covers back on properly, I've tried talc, longer bolts and the spring plate covers end up getting distorted as the bolts are so tight yet the cover not fully snug with torsion bar housing. Am I missing something? it shouldn't be this difficult :0(

 

No it shouldn’t be that difficult, pictures?

 

i'll be later when I'm back home... bloody thing

 

Try the old covers.. if they are knackered looking but original they are still probably thicker and stiffer than new ones.
Then take the old covers off once you have the rubber rings in place and covers torqued down and try the new covers again.
Generally unless a part comes off as a bucket of rust, the old scabby parts are better made and better fitting so should be cleaned and reused. Or at least put in a box so you can either put it back after the new thinner part rots away or give it to somebody else who wants a good original part..

 

They are tight. Knackering tightening the long bolts, easier with impact wrench.
Start off with them in the down unloaded position to get them part way seated.
Then only jack (use a trolley not a bottle jack) the spring arm up to the notch level and no more, while you tighten the cover nuts further.
Do this without the rear hub not connected.

 

I think the problem is things are bending.. Use a breaker bar to provide control, some rattle guns may be a bit OTT, battery powered ones are usually a bit weedier.
I seem to remember with two diagonally opposite long bolts the cover would go down enough to get the other two bolts started. Then it was a case of going round repeatedly putting a bit more tension on each bolt..

 

Thanks for replies, the old covers were new covers last time round (so not original) here are pics of old bushes and new one tightened as much as I can....

 

Old ones look like they were badly fitted too....

 

Rubber lubricant, warming the rubber?

 

Warming might be a plan, but they weren't cold... though talc was supposed to be the lubricant... I'm going to get some funny looks in boots

 

Use talc, not lubricant.

Those new bushes don't look right.

 

in what way? I have bought some more from coolair and they are identical :-( tapered type things.....

 

T2 Rear Torsion Bar Bush (Inner And Outer) - Cool Air VW -
https://www.coolairvw.co.uk/product/211511245a/

 

Use talc, lot's of.
At least, it smells good

I used longer ss A2 70 bolts to put them in place, but read that they should be 10.9 strenght ?


I used a protractor to reset them to factory specs. It still not on the ground to see if I did well, or mess it up
I also scribed the angle on the inner arch as a remember.

And don't use those cheapo protractor. Needle seems to stuck and drove me crazy.
(And it is hot today...)

 

Given they’re tapered, could you have got them - or one of them - in arse about face?

 

Have you replaced the inner donuts, behind the spring plate as well?

The outer ones look like they aren’t sitting central in the hole, hence they are getting trapped between the cover and the spring plate.

 

^this. The old outer ones don't look like they were seated properly - inner ones not fitted correctly?

They should go straight on with a bit of talc, just need a couple of longer bolts to get the covers started.

 

Fairly sure they were seated properly, another dirty sweaty few hours ahead....deto not in back to front

 

That is odd. They should seat nicely. Not what you want to hear, but I'd say the new ones possibly need replacing as they're seriously squished.

 

If you don’t get them central in the torsion bar tube / covers, your rear wheel alignment will be miles out as well.