Sway-A-Way Torsion Bar Set — 22mm, 21 3/4" Length | VW Beetle, Bus & Karmann Ghia (SAW-1022)
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Sway-A-Way Torsion Bar Set — 22mm, 21 3/4" Length (SAW-1022)
Sixty-year-old torsion bars have taken a set — the car sits low at the back, squats under power, and the camber changes every time you load it. These Sway-A-Way replacement bars put a known, matched spring rate back in both sides, in high-strength aircraft-grade alloy steel, heat treated and centerless ground.
Read This Before You Order
Length is what decides fitment, not the year of your car. These are 21 3/4" (552.5 mm) bars. If your rear torsion housing takes a different length, they will not reach the inner splines. Measure your existing bars end to end before ordering, or send us your chassis number and rear suspension type and we will confirm.
Quick Fit Guide
This is the 22 mm × 21-3/4" bar — one step up from the 21 mm SAW-1021, and slightly under a factory bar's approximate 23.5 mm. A mild, close-to-stock replacement rather than a performance jump.
Vehicle Fitment
Confirmed: Volkswagen rear ends running a 21 3/4" rear torsion bar.
Not this part: any car running 24 11/16" or 26 9/16" bars — separate part series.
Step 1: Get the Length Right
| Bar length | Sway-A-Way series | Material |
|---|---|---|
| 21 3/4" (552.5 mm) | 10xx — this listing | Aircraft-grade alloy steel |
| 24 11/16" (627.1 mm) | 31123 series | 300M, off-road race spec |
| 26 9/16" (674.7 mm) | 312xx series | 300M, off-road race spec |
Step 2: Pick the Diameter
A factory VW rear bar is approximately 23.5 mm. Bigger diameter means a stiffer rear and less body roll, at the cost of ride comfort:
| Diameter | Spring rate | Max angle of twist |
|---|---|---|
| 21 mm (0.827") — SAW-1021 | Not published | Not published |
| 22 mm (0.866") — this listing | Not published | Not published |
| 24 mm (0.945") | 842 lb | 29.7° |
| 25 mm (0.984") | 979 lb | 28.5° |
| 26 mm (1.024") | 1145 lb | 27.5° |
| 27 mm (1.063") | 1333 lb | 26.4° |
| 28 mm (1.102") | 1541 lb | 25.5° |
| 29 mm (1.142") | 1774 lb | 24.6° |
| 30 mm (1.181") | 2031 lb | 23.8° |
Rate figures are as published by Sway-A-Way dealers for this length. Sway-A-Way does not print a rate for the 21 mm or 22 mm bars — if you are choosing by rate rather than diameter, message us and we will confirm before you order. Sway-A-Way spring plates accept bars from 22 mm to 31 mm.
Key Features & Benefits
- Consistent spring rate: centerless ground to a uniform diameter along the whole bar — which is what makes the rate uniform.
- Heat-treated strength: engineered for fatigue resistance, so it does not take a set the way your originals did.
- Durable alloy: high-strength aircraft-grade alloy steel.
- Corrosion resistance: powder-coated finish.
- Matched pair: both bars ground and treated together, so the car sits level.
Technical Specifications
- Overall Length: 21 3/4" (21.75" / 552.5 mm)
- Diameter: 22 mm (0.866")
- Stock Reference: factory VW rear bars are approximately 23.5 mm
- Spline count: 40-spline inner, at the torsion housing (9° per tooth) / 44-spline outer, at the spring plate (8.2° per tooth)
- Ride-Height Resolution: indexing inner and outer together gives 0.8° of preload per step
- Material: high-strength aircraft-grade alloy steel, heat treated
- Finish: powder-coated
- Sold As: one pair, marked R and L
- Part Number: 1022 (SKU SAW-1022)
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
- Origin: Made in USA
What's in the Box
- (2) rear torsion bars, 22 mm × 21-3/4" — marked R and L
You May Also Need
- Spring plates: the plate's collar length has to match the bar length. For 21 3/4" bars that is SAW-4101 (standard swing axle, 2.93" collar) or SAW-5201 (IRS adjustable, 1 1/4" collar).
- SAW-3011 / SAW-3013 grommets: 1 7/8" ID, knobby or round — replace them while the plate is off.
Installation & Torque
- The bars are side-specific. They are marked R and L. A bar installed on the wrong side works against the direction it was set in and will break. This is the single most common way a new set of torsion bars fails.
- Respect the stored energy. The spring plate sitting on its stop holds the bar's full preload. Keep your hands and head out of its swing arc when you pry it off.
- Support the car properly. Jack stands under the frame horns, wheels chocked.
- Spring plate cover bolts: 25 ft-lb.
- A-arm / axle bolts: 80 ft-lb.
- Set ride height loaded. Index the splines, then put the car's full weight back on the wheels before you measure.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What size are these bars? 22 mm (0.866") diameter by 21 3/4" (552.5 mm) long — one step up from the 21 mm SAW-1021 in the same housing length.
- Will they fit my car? That depends on your rear torsion housing, not your model year. These are 21 3/4" bars — measure your existing bars end to end, or send us your chassis number and rear suspension type.
- How stiff are these compared with a factory bar? A stock VW rear bar is roughly 23.5 mm, so a 22 mm bar is slightly softer than stock. If you want an increase, step up to 24 mm (842 lb) or beyond.
- What number do I order it by? Part number SAW-1022.
- What do I actually get? One matched pair of solid torsion bars, marked R and L.
- Who makes this? Sway-A-Way, made in the USA.
