EMPI Heavy Duty IRS Spring Plates — 6-1/8" Collar for 26-9/16" Torsion Bars, Pair (17-2667-0)

Your VW's spring plates are the link between the rear trailing arms and the torsion bars. Every bump, every launch and the weight of the rear-mounted engine is carried through them. After more than fifty years, original plates are often rusted, bent or simply tired, and the bushings they ride in are usually long past their service life. The EMPI 17-2667-0 Heavy Duty IRS Spring Plates give 1968–1971 IRS Beetles, Karmann Ghias and Type 3s a fresh, correctly matched pair built for the 6-1/8" collar and 26-9/16" torsion bar combination, and they replace the factory dual spring plate style used in those years.

This is EMPI's fixed-height (non-adjustable) heavy duty design: a silver-painted pair with an additional mounting hole, supplied left and right together. It is a straightforward, no-surprises choice for a stock-height restoration and a solid foundation for a street build. If you would rather fine-tune rear ride height after installation, the adjustable plate for the same years is EMPI 17-2674-0.

Vehicle Fitment

• VW Beetle (IRS): 1968–1971, including 1968 Autostick models
• VW Super Beetle: 1971
• VW Karmann Ghia (IRS): 1968–1971
• VW Type 3: 1968–1971

IRS (independent rear suspension) cars with 26-9/16" torsion bars only. EMPI lists fitment as Type 1 and Type 3 1968–1971; the Super Beetle and Autostick notes come from dealer (JBugs) fitment data. For 1972–1979 Beetles, which use the single spring plate style, see EMPI 18-1074-0.

Features & Benefits

• Heavy duty EMPI design for IRS rear suspension — a new, straight pair in place of worn or corroded originals
• Replaces the factory dual spring plate style used on 1968–1971 IRS cars
• 6-1/8" collar matched to 26-9/16" torsion bars
• Additional mounting hole for trailing arm attachment
• Silver painted finish
• Matched pair — left and right supplied together so both sides are refreshed at once

Technical Specifications

Which Spring Plate Do I Need?

VW rear spring plates are matched by suspension type (swing axle or IRS), by torsion bar length and, on IRS cars, by the factory plate style. The collar is the splined sleeve that slides over the torsion bar, and EMPI matches collar length to bar length:

Swing axle or IRS? On a swing axle car the axle tubes pivot at the transaxle and there are no CV joints. An IRS car has separate trailing arms and drive axles with a CV joint at each end. Plates are not interchangeable between the two.

1968–1971 or 1972–1979 IRS? Both eras use the 6-1/8" collar and 26-9/16" bar, but EMPI lists the 1968–1971 plates (this 17-2667-0 and the adjustable 17-2674-0) as replacing the factory dual spring plate style, and the 1972–1979 plates (18-1074-0 and the adjustable 18-1075-0) as replacing the factory single spring plate style. Order by model year.

Fixed or adjustable? With fixed plates like these, ride height is set by indexing the torsion bar splines at installation. Adjustable plates let you fine-tune ride height after installation without re-indexing the bars.

Installation Notes

• Stock rubber bushings will not fit heavy duty spring plates. Plan on 1-3/4" ID inner and 1-7/8" ID outer spring plate bushings (rubber or urethane).
• The spring plate is under torsion bar preload. Support the car securely on jack stands and release the tension in a controlled way — never simply unbolt a loaded plate.
• Record your existing spring plate angle and ride height before disassembly so you have a reference when indexing the new plates.
• Follow a VW factory service manual for the procedure and fastener torque values.
• Have the rear alignment checked after installation. If you are not comfortable working with torsion bar preload, this is a job for a professional shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these sold individually or as a pair?
As a pair — one left and one right.

Will these fit my 1972–1979 Beetle?
No. 1972–1979 cars use the single spring plate style; choose EMPI 18-1074-0 (heavy duty, fixed) or 18-1075-0 (adjustable).

Are these spring plates adjustable?
No, they are fixed. Ride height is set by torsion bar spline indexing. For an adjustable plate for 1968–1971 IRS cars, see EMPI 17-2674-0.

What bushings do I need?
Stock rubber bushings will not fit. You need 1-3/4" ID inner and 1-7/8" ID outer spring plate bushings.

Will these fit a swing axle car?
No, they are for IRS rear suspension only.

Is this a good alternative to Sway-A-Way spring plates?
If you need a fixed, heavy duty IRS plate for 26-9/16" torsion bars, this EMPI pair fills the same role. Sway-A-Way offers IRS plates in fixed and adjustable versions across the same three collar lengths; the main things to compare are the collar and bar size, whether you want adjustability, and what hardware and bushings each kit includes. This EMPI pair is year-specific to 1968–1971 dual-plate cars and ships without bushings.

Do I need an alignment afterwards?
A rear alignment check is recommended after any spring plate replacement or ride height change.

California Proposition 65

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

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