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Re: [T3] Adjusting front stabilizer bar


On 27 Feb 2003 at 11:12, Mark Seaton wrote:

> I know this has been covered many times, but I just finished adjusting
> out the play and it didn't go exactly as per Haynes. In the haynes it
> says to loosen off the pinch bolt, tighten up the end bolt till the
> swing arm contacts the thrust washer, loosen it again, tighten till
> the lock washer just can't be moved by hand, tighten the pinch bolt to
> torque, tighten end bolt to torque, then lock. Well I tightened it up
> till it was as tight as I could go with a 6inch spanner in the cramped
> conditions- 

The problem is that the trouble is never where the manual suggests. The problem 
is bound to be on the left side of the car where the upper torsion bar is 
supposed to be solidly fixed to the upper swing arm. The set screw here has 
worked loose and is no longer tight on the bar. You must remove the bar and 
inspect it. You MAY have to drill a new dimple in it (on the other side) to fix 
it, but you MUST take it apart and check everything.

This is not as hard as it might seem. Just jack up the front end and remove 
both front wheels. Then remove the bar attaching hardware on both sides and 
drive the bar out to the left side. 

Inspect/repair the left end of the bar. Insert the bar and tighten it securely.

Only then can you do the adjustment procedure that the manuals show.

Sometimes it is possible to simply loosen the right side hardware and then 
carefully retorque the left side set screw, but it is absolutely important that 
the left side be tight. If it is not, it will wear out its bore in the left 
upper swing arm and this will require replacement of that arm, which is a LOT 
of work. 

-- 
Jim Adney
jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711-3054
USA

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