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Beetle IRS spring plate question
jigga - January 18th, 2013 at 08:03 PM

On an IRS beetle, which years came with the double spring plates and which came with singles?

Are they the same size plates just one has two plates? Pros/cons on single vs double?


cnfabo - January 18th, 2013 at 08:49 PM

I don't know answers to some of your questions but I'm assuming the twin plates would have less flex

Cheers fabo


ragged - January 18th, 2013 at 08:54 PM

In 1968 the stick shift bugs had double spring plates. All of the type 3's had the double spring plates. I think the superbugs 71- on had the single spring plates. The trailing arms are different as the holes are different, but they can be easily redrilled.


jigga - January 18th, 2013 at 09:26 PM

Thanks guys.. So the plates are the same but they just has different bolt holes?


cam070 - January 18th, 2013 at 09:38 PM

My 76 standard bug has single spring plates if that helps


Smiley - January 18th, 2013 at 11:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jigga
Thanks guys.. So the plates are the same but they just has different bolt holes?


The bolt closest to the front of the car is on the bottom of the plate on the Bugs and at the top of the plate on the Type 3 double plates. The other 3 line up the same.
And no you can't just flip them over and run them on the other side. The holes don't line up correctly.

I'm running Type 3 double plates on my Baja. I simply drilled an extra hole through the plate that is on the trailing arm.
One of the big advantages for the offroad crowd. When you notch the plates for more travel you only have to do the inner one. So you don't really lose any strength cause you still have the whole second plate. Whereas if you have a big notch in a single springplate it is weakened significantly. This can lead to cracking of the plate, or bending and buckling when put under hard loads.


Smiley :)