Broken Kombi rear torsion bar

shaihulud Custom Title Time!

1,448 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 9 Jul 2006, 10:56 am

#509211

When I was in India in 1973 after trekking to the Everest Base Camp, I wound up in Calcutta with a week to wait for my 'plane out and enough money to either feed myself for a week or to pay for a cheap hotel room. I went to the Anglical Cathedral because I had heard that they let you camp in the grounds free. I was allowed to share a room with a young Good Samaritan, in the hall.

Camped in the yard was a German couple who had driven a Kombi to Calcutta to discover that one of the rear torsion bars had broken. When they reported that to the local VW agent they were not believed until they produced the bits. They told me that the VW company was going to send out a new torsion bar from Germany with a mechanic to fit it, as it was the first time that they had ever heard of such a thing.

I left before the new torsion bar arrived. How plausible is that story?

MickH Hairy Gutted Sloth

3,389 posts · joined Sep 2003 · 9 Jul 2006, 1:31 pm

#509227

I'd believe it.I've seen car manufacturers do more to help keep customers happy,sometimes anyway.We had VW pay for a couple to stay at the casino in Townsville for a WEEK,all expenses paid because we couldn't get a replacement belt for their car.....nil stock Aus. and they insisted genuine belt had to be used. Mitsubishi paid for 3 nights accomodation for a travelling family who's Magna developed some strange electrical problems.The car was 3 months old and was replaced (the whole car) as it had a mind of its own,even after the harness was replaced....having said that I've seen car mobs treat their customers like crap as well😠

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VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 9 Jul 2006, 4:37 pm

#509258

shaihulud wrote:When I was in India in 1973 after trekking to the Everest Base Camp, I wound up in Calcutta with a week to wait for my 'plane out and enough money to either feed myself for a week or to pay for a cheap hotel room. I went to the Anglical Cathedral because I had heard that they let you camp in the grounds free. I was allowed to share a room with a young Good Samaritan, in the hall.

Camped in the yard was a German couple who had driven a Kombi to Calcutta to discover that one of the rear torsion bars had broken. When they reported that to the local VW agent they were not believed until they produced the bits. They told me that the VW company was going to send out a new torsion bar from Germany with a mechanic to fit it, as it was the first time that they had ever heard of such a thing.

I left before the new torsion bar arrived. How plausible is that story?

Well, is it a 'story', or were you there when it happened in 1973?

Pay your debts, CxxT

11CAB If ya got it....Baja it

4,674 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 9 Jul 2006, 5:49 pm

#509286

Well I've seen a Kombi with a broken rear torsion bar, so I believe that they could have broken one. And as for the VW Mechanic flying out to fix it, I've heard stories of Rolls Royce doing that to fix a broken CV joint on a Roller......dont know if thats true or not?!?!

65 Meyers Manx
68 Country Buggy (KO 367)
68 Country Buggy (KO 669)
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68 Baja Bug
76 Baja Kombi Twincab

shaihulud Custom Title Time!

1,448 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 9 Jul 2006, 6:48 pm

#509308

I was there alright. I saw the Kombi jacked up with left rear torsion bar missing. Certainly they told me the story of what had happened, which I have always believed. The Kombi was very heavily loaded but that should not have caused the problem. I'm just wondering if the "never happened before" part is plausible.

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 9 Jul 2006, 9:33 pm

#509425

i never seen it in 20 years of playing

Pay your debts, CxxT

11CAB If ya got it....Baja it

4,674 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 9 Jul 2006, 11:19 pm

#509492

The one I saw was a Backpackers Camper on the Gold Coast about 6-7 years ago

65 Meyers Manx
68 Country Buggy (KO 367)
68 Country Buggy (KO 669)
68 Country Buggy (KO 789)
68 Country Buggy (KO 815)
68 Baja Bug
76 Baja Kombi Twincab

MickH Hairy Gutted Sloth

3,389 posts · joined Sep 2003 · 10 Jul 2006, 6:19 am

#509512

...might have been rare as it was a newish car back then in '73 so fatigue shouldn't have been a factor as it would be now.

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