Are trailing arms reversible?

[Plasticman]

this is the problem with these flat repair bits, they dont accomodate the pig tail, which is why i personally would never fit one, prefere to make my own if needed.but as always folks do fit them successfully so who am i to comment
mm

[Jonnyb416]

So did Volkswagen fit them from new?

[CovKid]

Yes - you'll find them on both sides of the trailing arm. Basically its to stop the stock spring constantly turning round and presumably wearing the arm away. One can only assume that this had been a problem in the past on other vehicles but with the weight of a T25, those springs have little if any scope to turn. One could always tack on a stop point which would do more or less the same thing I suppose but I'm not convinced the spring rotates anyway - not with that amount of weight on it. If its sitting on a bed of rubber or similar packing piece, its going nowhere.

[Jonnyb416]

Sorry I meant the repair piece that I've ordered from Brickwerks? Once that's welded in place the pigtail recess is covered up!

[billy739]

when I have repaired the bottom plate in the past I have fitted upper spring cusions.

, flat one side , pigtail recess the other.

prob raises the suspension 5mm but cant see that's a problem

and the spring isant metal to metal, as even the thin packer wears through normally fitted to the lower cup

[Jonnyb416]

Good idea! You got any upper spring cushion for sale Billy? pm me if you have thanks Jon.

[billy739]

yes lots.

will see how much postage is....

[Jonnyb416]

Cheers mate. To WN3.

[CovKid]

I made my own spring cushions. Not difficult to cut out. Just a case of finding the right material.

[Jonnyb416]

I made my own spring cushions. Not difficult to cut out. Just a case of finding the right material.

What did you end up using? I've had a think and dont have anything available so ordered 2 seats off Billy. I will need to cut in a different groove to accommodate the bottom end of the spring.
This lot arrived today:

Going to take the trailing arm in tomorrow to have the repair section welded on.
Then it's just a case of waiting for my mate to help me re-build the rest of the suspension/brakes and I need a few more bits yet. (shoe kit, cables, flexis, shock)
First job is pressing the bush in which I will try to document best I can

Could anybody tell me what 2 yellow and 1 blue stripe on the spring means please?

[Plasticman]

thats the factory in house code for "failed load test,"
mm

[billy739]

the stripes are colour coded to what type /rating spring you have .
think its all in the wiki(top of page)

but there seems to be a combination of colours rather than vw's straight colour , all bar a couple listed.

I reckon the springs in batches of obvious differences , then pair'd ie all -30 springs , all standard springs , all extra load springs ect then paird with closer spec

[fairwynds]

only just catching up with this thread.... so my tuppence worth :- when I did this job on mine (using the Brickwerks repair spring seat as in pics I posted above) I used the T4 upper spring seats as my T25 lowers, which iirc was the recommendation from Brickwerks. These seats are thicker and much stronger than the originals and do have the pigtail recess...

Your jobs looking great mate, but I am very glad mines already done!

[Jonnyb416]

Although progress is slow it is moving along and when I start the n/s it will all fly together
Ordered 2 s/h spring seats and took the seat repair section to be welded on the arm today. While I was there my welder pointed out my spring was snapped I had been wondering why it wouldn't sit snug on the sping seats I already had. All being well I will attempt pressing in the bushes tomorrow, fingers crossed! I'm also going to look at removing the old bearings and inspect the housing.



Jon.

[Jonnyb416]

Before I commence with the press can anybody tell me was it, ribbed end of the bush towards the outside when doing the outer bush? I know I've read it but stupidly can't remember!! Thanks Jon.