TheSamba.com :: View topic - How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions

Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:56 pm

royDHPNM wrote: man I really cant remember, it has been a month or so since i did the spindles then the bus set while I did a trans swap, body work and primered it. I have just finished and started to drive it again and noticed the tires screetching some times.
so I take it something isnt right. I will get back under it and check everything out.
thanks

Get Alex over there to check it out. He knws what to look for.

Sat Nov 07, 2009 5:11 pm

:lol: thats a good one Greg but he is learning
I was just wondering if it is normal to have to readjust tie rods and alignment and all that jazz just for flipped spindles
I will figure it out, like I said it drives fine but obviously isnt right yet
thanks

Sat Nov 07, 2009 5:32 pm

Are you talking about camber or toe-in problems? Both can be affected by flipping the spindles.

Sat Nov 07, 2009 5:32 pm

Damn, I was being serious too.

For what it's worth I always align the front end when I change parts.

In the meantime, double check the shim chart

Then make sure the link pins are set and the pinch bolts are tight.

Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:18 pm

I will check all that shit, I know I spent some time checking the shims and rechecking them but who knows, it was late I was tired and it was my first time.
thanks again fellas

Thu Nov 12, 2009 7:53 am

royDHPNM wrote: I will check all that shit, I know I spent some time checking the shims and rechecking them but who knows, it was late I was tired and it was my first time.
thanks again fellas

Did you adjust the toe with the front of the bus raised or on the ground?
It needs to be on the ground to adjust the toe

Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:16 am

guess I didnt think about that either, it could be the toe. like I said it has been a while since I did everything and I might have rushed it. I just need to check everything out.
thanks

Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:30 am

sorry guys but im kinda in a hurry and dont really have time to search through cause im sure id find the answer so sorry ahead of time.

what size tires should i run?

im running 3.5 dropped spindles in the front and womacks offset spring plates and a type 3 tranny in the rear. my engine is a 1776 witha oil sump, so i need know what size tires to run to be low, and still be safe with my oil sump.

thanks

Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:33 am

I had a similar setup on my 65. I ran 15" wheels with 195/60R15 tires all around. The fronts did rub a little on large bumps. I think a 50 series on the front would have been better.

Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:36 am

ok thanks man do you have a picture by any chance?

Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:48 am

In these pics I have changed the rear tires to 205/65's on custom offset rims. I had the outer hoop removed and moved outward 5/8" for springplate clearance for the wider tire.

I can't find a good pic of the tires from before this change.

Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:50 am

ok thanks man for the feedback. so the 195/50R15's would be a little skinnier tire correct? or does it make the wall thinner for more clearence out of the wheel well?

Wed Dec 09, 2009 12:07 pm

CWeisenburger10 wrote: ok thanks man for the feedback. so the 195/50R15's would be a little skinnier tire correct? or does it make the wall thinner for more clearence out of the wheel well?

Not skinnier, they are wide enough. Also, not "thinner" but lower walled. :wink:

Wed Dec 09, 2009 1:06 pm

CWeisenburger10 wrote: ok thanks man for the feedback. so the 195/50R15's would be a little skinnier tire correct? or does it make the wall thinner for more clearence out of the wheel well?

Shorter sidewalls, therefor smaller diameter. Some guys use a 45 series tire here, but I think they are harder to find. From my experience, the ride quality really starts to suffer if you start getting down to a really low profile tire. I will accept the problems with tire rubbing occasionally as a trade off for a rough ride. I think the really tiny tires look goofy, too. But that is merely a personal opinion.

Wed Dec 09, 2009 1:08 pm

pyrOman wrote: CWeisenburger10 wrote: ok thanks man for the feedback. so the 195/50R15's would be a little skinnier tire correct? or does it make the wall thinner for more clearence out of the wheel well?

Not skinnier, they are wide enough. Also, not "thinner" but lower walled. :wink:

got it

Wed Dec 09, 2009 1:09 pm

cdennisg wrote: CWeisenburger10 wrote: ok thanks man for the feedback. so the 195/50R15's would be a little skinnier tire correct? or does it make the wall thinner for more clearence out of the wheel well?

Shorter sidewalls, therefor smaller diameter. Some guys use a 45 series tire here, but I think they are harder to find. From my experience, the ride quality really starts to suffer if you start getting down to a really low profile tire. I will accept the problems with tire rubbing occasionally as a trade off for a rough ride. I think the really tiny tires look goofy, too. But that is merely a personal opinion.

ok thanks

Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:55 pm

ok im runnning the rear 195/50/15 with one notch down on the spring plates.

i have the dropped spindles as stated above, should i still run the 195/50 in the front? would it be even in the rear?

Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:55 pm

i am cweisenburger10, forgot which username i was in

Sun Dec 27, 2009 12:54 pm

Miroan Werks wrote: Airkewld wrote: here is our front air ride set up as well as our rear ar ride set up.

Curious, the entire weight of the front end will rest on the lower shock mount? It's only a 12mm stud. :-k

Was this point ever cleared up? I have seen other setups where this is the case...

Fri Jan 22, 2010 12:12 am

So I've been watching from the sidelines,Tried to read entire post but somehow missed the point ,Why would I lower my bus,is there a benefit other than the look?Is the original engineering not up to todays standard or ?Please explain benefits of lowered buses.