Swing Axle Spring Plates, for 21-3/4 Torsion Bar

OVERVIEW

When it comes to restoring the structural integrity and ride quality of your classic Volkswagen suspension, the spring plates are a critical component that often goes overlooked until the rear end starts to sag or exhibit erratic handling. These EMPI Swing Axle Spring Plates are engineered as a high-quality, stock-style replacement specifically designed for vehicles utilizing the 21-3/4 inch torsion bars. Over decades of service, original factory spring plates can suffer from metal fatigue, severe corrosion, or warping due to improper jack placement or off-road abuse. Replacing your worn-out units with these heavy-duty steel plates ensures that your rear suspension geometry remains within factory specifications, providing the necessary leverage to translate torsion bar twist into controlled wheel movement. Whether you are building a show-winning Beetle or a rugged weekend cruiser, these plates offer the reliability you need to keep your swing axle rear end tracking straight and true.

Identifying the correct spring plate length is one of the most common hurdles for VW enthusiasts, but these 21-3/4 inch plates are the standard for early short-bar configurations. A quick visual inspection of your torsion housing can confirm fitment: if your outer torsion end cap is solid and flat, you are likely running the 21-3/4 inch bars that these plates are designed to accommodate. These plates are sold as a pair to ensure even performance across the rear axle and are manufactured to tight tolerances to allow for a smooth installation. By upgrading to these fresh plates, you eliminate the "sloppy" feel associated with aged components and provide a secure mounting point for your axle housing. Don''t settle for compromised suspension components when you can restore your air-cooled legend with parts that meet the rigorous demands of the road.

FITMENT

These swing axle spring plates are designed for specific Volkswagen models and custom applications utilizing the short torsion bar setup. Please verify your torsion bar length before ordering.

• VW Beetle: 1950 through 1959 (Standard Swing Axle models with 21-3/4 inch bars).
• VW Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1959 (Swing Axle configurations).
• VW Type 2 Bus: Early models utilizing the short bar swing axle rear end.
• Dune Buggies & Sand Rails: Custom chassis or shortened pans using the 21-3/4 inch torsion bar housing.
• VW Type 3: Early swing axle variants prior to the transition to longer bars.

SPECS

Every detail of these spring plates is manufactured to provide a seamless fit and long-term durability for your air-cooled project.

• Transmission Style: Swing Axle only (Not for IRS).
• Torsion Bar Length: Designed for 21-3/4 inch bars.
• Material: High-tensile heavy-duty stamped steel.
• Finish: Durable black protective coating to resist rust and corrosion.
• Inner Bushing Requirement: 1-3/4 inch Inner Diameter.
• Outer Bushing Requirement: 1-7/8 inch Inner Diameter.
• Quantity: Sold as a pair (Includes left and right sides).
• Part Number: AC501310 (EMPI).

PRO TIPS

Tip 1: Confirming Your Torsion Bar Length

Before you tear down your rear suspension, always double-check your bar length. The most reliable way to tell if you need these 21-3/4 inch plates without removing them is to look at the torsion housing end cap. If the cap is solid with no hole in the center, it almost certainly houses the short 21-3/4 inch bar. If there is a hole in the center of the cap with a stub of the torsion bar protruding through it, you likely have the longer 26-9/16 inch bars, which require a different plate. Measuring twice ensures you won''t have your car stuck on jack stands waiting for a part exchange.

Tip 2: Don''t Skimp on New Bushings

Installing new spring plates with old, dry-rotted rubber bushings is a recipe for poor handling and annoying squeaks. We strongly recommend installing a fresh set of high-quality urethane or stock rubber bushings at the same time. When installing the bushings, use a liberal amount of silicone-based grease (for urethane) or a light dusting of talcum powder (for rubber) to prevent binding. This ensures the spring plate can pivot smoothly through its arc, allowing the torsion bar to do its job effectively without friction-induced harshness.

Tip 3: Safety During Pre-Load and Installation

Working with VW torsion bars involves significant stored energy. When you are ready to "set" the spring plate onto the lower stop of the torsion housing, use a heavy-duty floor jack to carefully lift the spring plate into position. Never stand directly in the path of the plate while it is under tension. Ensure your spring plate retainers (the four-bolt covers) are in good condition and torqued to factory specifications. If the threads in your torsion housing are damaged, chase them with a tap before final assembly to ensure the bolts don''t back out under the stress of the suspension movement.