New adjustable spring plates won't fit

[Donkers]

Hi, been stripping down the rear end of my newly purchased import 72 crossover
After I took the drivers rear Springplate off I've tried fitting my new adjustable one and just can't get it to go on the splines more than a couple of mm :?

I've now ended up removing the torsion bar (took plate angle off old one first) and held it in a vice. Tried rubber mallet, then hammer and wood block and it just won't go on.

Counted splines and double checked and its 52 on both, and I've checked for burrs, nothing looks untoward. Plates are from a reputable vw supplier, have I missed something or is it just a duff plate?

 

[Bazzaworld]

Sounds like a duff plate, mine went on virtually by hand
Bazza

 

[kevinhall]

Where are they from? I had a very similar issue with some from transporterhaus.

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=65470

Had them re-bored but even then needed a solid whack with a lump hammer to get them on.

 

[SHIFTY]

I'd issues with my French slammer plates but once the torsion bars were out they slipped straight into the plate.id say you've got duff plates that have too thick of a coating of zinc plating on them.

 

[Davydomes]

If the plate splines are covered with Zinc then contact the supplier. Tell them about your issue and ask there permission to use a needle file (cheap enough to buy a full set) to clean up the splines or you want to send them back. Add the condition that if they still do not fit after receiving permission to file them then you will also be returning them for your money back or a satisfactory replacement.

 

[Graham L]

Whose plates are they ?

 

[Donkers]

They're transporterhaus ones. I wouldn't say the coating seemed thick. Theres nothing visually odd, maybe they're just a few thou' off? pm'd someone on Here who had the same problem (with a 72 also) but no reply-they might not be on here anymore
I've spoke with the supplier and they've said to send them back. Hopefully it will be quickly resolved! :/

 

[Graham L]

Just so you are aware 72 model year are different to 68-71MY, splines are larger and spring plates and the plates themselves are longer

 

[Donkers]

Got the 71-79 plates so unless they're a one year only jobbie for cross dressers they should be right ones?

 

[neilswheels]

Graham replied Just so you are aware 72 model year are different
Your avatar says you have a 72, 71 - 79 sounds a little odd, like there should be 68-71, 72, 73 -79??
I had TH rears, fitted fine on my 71.

 

[Graham L]

There are only 2 types of rear spring plates

68-71 MY so August 67 until July 71
72-79 MY so August 71 onwards until end of production

 

[kevinhall]

Got my second spring plate fitted today after having then re-worked by transporterhaus. Still needed some very firm whacks with a lump hammer to get them on but got there in the end. Was a bit nervous of just hammering them on but turned our nice!

 

[Graham L]

Got my second spring plate fitted today after having then re-worked by transporterhaus. Still needed some very firm whacks with a lump hammer to get them on but got there in the end. Was a bit nervous of just hammering them on but turned our nice!

Not being funny but I've never had to hit any spring plates with a hammer to get them to fit, they take a bit of shuffling to get the splines on and you have to make sure they are square to the torsion bar but that's it. If they are so tight you have to hammer them on how are you aligning the splines correctly?, ie in the right position?

 

[kevinhall]

Not being funny but I've never had to hit any spring plates with a hammer to get them to fit, they take a bit of shuffling to get the splines on and you have to make sure they are square to the torsion bar but that's it. If they are so tight you have to hammer them on how are you aligning the splines correctly?, ie in the right position?

To be honest, I had no other route to go, having had them for a couple of years, reworked once already it was bin them and start again with a different make or get them to fit. Lots of careful measuring and getting them partially on before removing the torsion bar to ensure everything is lined up correctly. Time will tell whether I got it right.

 

[Donkers]

We'll see what they say. Sent them back yesterday, hopefully get resolved soon-though I've plenty to get on with in the meantime

 

[Donkers]

Spoke to cool air today, they were very helpful. They've tried a plate on a new torsion bar and it fitted! :? Been through the dimensions of a late t'bar with me so when I got home I checked mine and its the same

The only thing I can think of is that over the years the splines have deformed or worn slightly into a slight shark fin shape (perhaps from loose components) meaning the profile is whack?
I can't see being able to file them accurately enough to fit so I guess it's a new pair a bars for me then!