IRS adjustable spring plates

[MrSelfDestruct]

I bought a set recently, and the bolt pattern doesn’t match what I have.

This is the spring plate:


And this is the 1303 semi-trailing arm:


I checked with the supplier and its not a faulty set, as all makes of IRS adjustable spring plate are made to this pattern (the cheap Made In Taiwan junk and the Sway Away's).
I do have a set of Porsche 924 trailing arms that I’m going to use rather than the original '03 arms, and they do match with the large centre hole:


Now, you could argue that I’m worrying about nothing because the slots in the plate line up with this large hole, but I’m not happy about the position of the mounting bolts because the weight of the entire car is going to rest on here, and the holes seem to be a bit too close together for my liking.
If you look at the second pic (of the 1303 arm), VW obviously put the centre bolt hole further forward for a reason. Also, the middle hole on the Porsche arm wasn’t meant to house a mounting bolt was it?

So has anyone used these on a 1302/3, and how did you get around it?

[bigguy]

could you just re drill the center hole and use a new grade 8 nut and bolt. and maybe weld up the non used hole for good measure if need be.

[Kafer_Mike]

I spoke w/ Sway-a-Way on the same concern. They have manufactured the ASPs for years and used them in all kinds of racing application -- baja/offroad, drac racing, and road course. They assured me that the three bolts were more than sufficient. Remember: The trailing arm and spring plate have fixed pivot points and must follow the same arc of movement. The bolts simple lock the two of them together...

[MrSelfDestruct]

Good point dude! :agree:
I'll get beavering away then.

[Bruce2]

Most guys I know who have installed those SPs will use only 2 bolts. Then they get the wheel alignment done. Once the alignment is done, drill a round hole in the SP for the third forward hole. This gives you the clamping needed, and provides a way to preserve the wheel alignment if you need to take things apart.
If you leave it with only 2 bolts, the TA will move. Two bolts are not enough.

[Steve C]

Hi

That large hole in the Porsche arm is for an eccentric tool to fit into so you can easily adjust toe or camber, cant remember which one.

Steve