trailing arm washers

[staggerwing]

Is there something special about the configuration of those big washers that go where the trailing arm is connected to the pan... the place where the 17mm socket head bolt goes. I have heard that if you take these off "make sure you put the washers back the way they came off". Both trailing arms of my donor car had one washer on either side of the trailing arm and both sides were the same. The other day I saw one where two washers were on one side!

[David Head]

I know what you mean about the confusion. The Haynes manual even contradicts itself. It says one thing and shows a picture of another thing. I just put mine back on the way they came off. Maybe David O can clear this up.

[MURZ]

They both go to the outside....... and RED loctite that bolt!!!



http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=163394&highlight=irs+washers

[David O']

All you do is put them back the way they came off, I've seen them with one washer, and also with two washers!

[staggerwing]

Then I guess the big question is why, and the second biggest question is how can they be different on one car versus another. Surely there must be "a way" they gon on during mass production. It must make a difference - it has to' otherwise it just makes no since.

What if you get a donor, let's say, with no trailing arms on it?

[David O']

If you think about it for a minute, you'll agree that different models may look basically the same, but there will be changes in the individual parts.
I would try putting the arm on with one washer on the outside and tighten the bolt down and see if there is any play in the pivoting of the arm, if not, it is ok.
If there is play, then you will need to put another washer on the arm bolt.
Let me know how it turns out, and I'll see what I can do to help.

[MURZ]

Did you guys read this???? The washers go on the outside so that they can rub against each other as a thrust bearing. Some cars are not like this because probably at some point in thier life the PO decided he was smarter than the german engineers.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=163394&highlight=irs+washers

[blackthree4me]

just went out to look at gunter
he is believed to be original in that area
he has two washers on the outside like the photo shows
thrust against each other make sence
blackthree4me

[Mike & Mel]

Then you could do this to retain the pivot bolt (I've heard the loc-tite will only hold so long...).

http://p068.ezboard.com/fdsbfrm9.showMessage?topicID=38.topic