Manx Club

I posted this question on another website and only received one response. It's possible that it only required one response, but I thought I'd post here also for any other opinions: I've recently noticed (I was changing tires) that one of my swing plates seems to be bowed out (only one side - right side) and misses the stop when I jack the buggy up. In other words, when I jack the right rear up, the swing plate extends past the stop and hangs down lower. It isn't bowed a lot, just enought to go past the stop. My buggy is strictly a street buggy so I haven't done anything to cause this. My questions are: 1) is it something to worry about 2) what might have caused it 3) as long as I'm not "jumping" the buggy, do I have to replace the swing plate any time soon Thanks for the opinions/suggestions. Bud

Bud, On my MANX, I had a problem with the step wearing out. It was solved by fabricating a bracket that bolted around the spring plate & spring plate housing. I have also seen the same type of strap available in buggy shops. I just cannot remember where or when. Wish I had a picture. It would not allow the spring plate to drop lower than the top of the step that it is supposed rest on. Joe

The 3 sets of Mexibeetle spring plates (swingaxle) I have all are warped, and I've seen several others the same way. The one on the right side of my buggy occasionally does the same thing you describe when the vehicle is jacked up. Is your stop worn or broken at all? I know mine is slightly worn on that side. For mine, I'm going to get some straps made up that I saw in Hibbard's book "Baja Bugs and Buggies". Sorry I can't be more of a help, I'm curious also to hear what the experts here have to say.

Thank you for the responses. This is what I was hoping for. My stop is there although a little worn (not too badly). If the spring plate were straight/flat it would sit on the stop just fine. In fact I could swear it used to. Any ideas how or why they warp? If anyone has a picture and a resource where I could purchase the straps that were mentioned, I'd appreciate the info. Thanks all. Bud

I found this @ VWHELP.com in another section they also have stops instead of doing build up welding on the old ones.

Great find Jimbo. Thanks

You might want to tie the springplate up then remove the torsion cover and try to tap the springplate further onto the torsion splines. Just a thought. Could be the cover isn't retaining the plate.

Thanks all for the response and the lead to those brackets. Jerry, once I get my buggy back together (got a major job going on right now with the tank and wiring) I will check the positioning of the plate on the torsion bar. By the way, I should have posted this question on this site the first time. I certainly got more responses and suggestions. Thanks, Bud

Bud, I saw this method of springplate raising in a guys post on thesamba, and have used it with great success. It reduces the "guillotine" factor considerably. It's way better than messing with the floorjack, etc. If you can't see the pic above, here's the link: http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280 ... Medium.jpg

Wow, that's a sweet set up. Thanks for the info.

Bud, I was up in Mexico yesterday, and I looked at 2 buggies and a '91 Beetle. Two of them had warped spring plates, and the third didn't have obvious bends, but they looked like they might bypass the stops.....we're not alone.

Thank you for the information (and observation). I gathered by some of the responses that I got it was a more common issue than I thought. My biggest concern was what, if any, damage/risk I was looking at. I've gotten some good leads to look at once I get my buggy put back together (probably another few weeks). Thanks again. Bud

Does anybody have a photo of how the straps work on the springplates? Where do they hookup? I do not have the book which is referenced above. Thanks for your help.

Hope this helps

Dan, Here is the pic from Hibbard's book (Baja Bugs & Buggies) Email me if you need it in a bigger format... Hope this helps.