Crazy Torsion bar installation procedure

jbc426 said

In the stock position, the rear suspension was not fully extended with the vehicle's weight on it. The torsion bar would slide right out for disassembly.

After reclocking to pre-load the torsion bars, I had to use a floor jack with a chain to put the trailing arm back into place. Once everything was reassembled with the trailing arm was fully extended, it took significantly more downward force to get the suspension to compress and the ride was much stiffer.

I understand the spring rate on torsion bars is linear, and I believe having the bar pre-loaded as opposed to not pre-loading is what is contributing to the increased stiffness.

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As I said, I’m not really familiar enough with the VW stuff to really comment on what does or doesn’t work on a VW, there could be a way to accomplish preload in that system I’m not aware of. Probably shouldn’t have speculated.

On a Mopar suspension, if the control arms come off the bump stops the load on the bars is just the weight of the car and the spring rate is the same, so only the ride height is effected. I’ve clocked the bars on a Mopar a flat off, it doesn’t work the way the that’s described by the “kid on Facebook”.

Although arguing with him is probably also a waste of time, since he doesn’t seem to have a good grasp on how the suspension actually functions.