Sway-A-Way Swing Axle Spring Plate Set | VW Beetle & Karmann Ghia 1961–1968, 21-3/4" Torsion Bars | 1/4" Spring Steel, 2.93" Collar, Pair (SAW-4101)

Sway-A-Way Swing Axle Spring Plate Set — 2.93" Collar for 21-3/4" Torsion Bars (SAW-4101)

A factory swing-axle spring plate is stamped sheet steel. After fifty-plus years of carrying the back of the car, the plates flex, the bushings go soft, and the rear end starts to sag and wander. These Sway-A-Way standard swing axle spring plates replace them with 1/4" spring steel and a precision-welded splined collar, zinc plated for corrosion resistance and sold as a pair. This is the short 2.93" collar version — the one that matches the 21-3/4" rear torsion bars used under most 1961–1968 swing-axle Beetles and Karmann Ghias.

This is the "Short Non-Adjustable (4101 Standard)" spring plate set that King Performance sells, and it is made by Sway-A-Way in the USA.

Vehicle Fitment

• VW Beetle, swing axle — cars with 21-3/4" rear torsion bars (most 1961–1968)
• VW Karmann Ghia, swing axle — cars with 21-3/4" rear torsion bars (most 1961–1968)
• Not for: IRS cars (1969-on Beetle, Super Beetle) — they take the SAW-5200 series IRS plates
• Not for: cars on 24-11/16" or 26-9/16" bars — those need a longer collar (see the table below)

Measure before you order. Collar length and torsion bar length are a matched pair; the wrong collar will not reach the bar's splines. Pull a bar and measure it end to end, or send us your chassis number and we will confirm before anything ships.

Choose the Right Collar Length

Key Features & Benefits

• 1/4" spring steel plate — far stiffer than a stamped factory plate, so ride height and camber stay where you set them under load.
• Precision-welded splined collar — welded into the plate, not clamped, so there is no slop between plate and bar.
• Zinc plated for corrosion resistance in the wheel well.
• Sold as a pair so both sides match.
• Made in USA by Sway-A-Way.

Technical Specifications

You May Also Need

• Torsion bars: upgrade while the plates are off — Sway-A-Way 21-3/4" torsion bar set in 24, 26, 28 or 30mm, or 21mm / 22mm.
• Spring plate grommets: SAW-3011 knobby or SAW-3013 round, 1-7/8" ID.
• Spring plate caps: EMPI x Foose billet caps for 1960–1968 swing axle.

Installation Notes

• Support the car on jack stands under the frame horns with the wheels chocked. Never work under a car held up only by a jack.
• Respect the stored energy. A spring plate resting on its stop holds the full preload of the torsion bar. Keep hands and head out of its swing arc when you pry it off the stop.
• Torsion bars are side-specific (marked L and R). Keep them on their original sides.
• Set ride height with the car loaded. Index the splines, put the car's weight back on the wheels, then measure. Expect to do it twice.
• On a swing axle, ride height and rear camber move together — check camber as you lower.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What torsion bars do these plates fit? 21-3/4" long rear torsion bars, the length used under most 1961–1968 swing-axle Beetles and Ghias.
• Are these adjustable? No. These are the standard fixed plates; ride height is set by indexing the splines. The adjustable version for 21-3/4" bars is SAW-5101.
• What is the collar length? 2.93".
• How thick is the plate? 1/4" spring steel.
• Will they fit my 1969 or later Beetle? No. 1969-on Beetles and Super Beetles are IRS and use IRS spring plates.
• Do they come as a pair? Yes, one left and one right.
• Who makes them? Sway-A-Way, in the USA. This is the same 4101 set King Performance sells.

Explore Related Categories

Suspension & Components · VW Beetle · VW Karmann Ghia

⚠ WARNING (California Proposition 65): This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.