Lowering and leveling the Type 3 - video

sharkskinman · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:13 pm Post subject:

i think i skimmed thru the video
Before i lowered my car

To Learn and Because i cant make up my Friggin mind
i have messed with lowering and then raising the rear
suspension Probably 10 times in the last 2 months

and it still doesnt come off and go on as with the same ease

Now the front ???
I lowered it 1 time and it was fairly easy
But i borrowed a 30mm and a torque wrench

I took a look at the video for the rear
I Definitely helped on How long it took
_________________
4/71 ~311 "Bettie" (F.I./Auto)

jasle · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:02 am Post subject:

I've lowered a few and I still found the vid's pretty informative. nice to see a different way I was actually unaware of.

One note i'd like to add is that i find it much easier to work if you remove the caliper and hang it up out of the way and then remove the entire spindle. only need to take the upper ball joint off so its only 1 extra bolt or nut whichever way you take it off.

i use the outers to lower the front. I modified the jaws of a 2 arm puller and put it in between the trailing arm and beam and use a slide hammer to pull it out. pretty easy as the hammering action pops it free. I just did a OG 68 the other day and it came off pretty easy.

Also you can just pop the rubber snubber off the arm. works for 3 notches lower without bottoming but then no need to cut.

brezel50kaefer · Samba Member Joined: May 07, 2003 Posts: 25

Thank you so much for the awesome video! Gave me more than enough confidence to go and do it to my Ghia today. Down 1 spline, approx 2".
Took about 3 hrs.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Lowered

DamagedJustice86 · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 4:22 am Post subject:

Hey Cug,

Thanks for makin this video man it really helped me get a better understanding of the techs on the splines. I was wondering if it would be the same steps as lowering but in reverse to raise the square? I have been dying to raise mine a few inches.

I know it's considered heresy among most type 3 guys but everyone has to get their car to where they see it in their own mind right? Thanks again for all the info.

James
_______________________________________________________
'71 FI Squareback "The Suz..."

Bobnotch · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:45 am Post subject:

Mike Fisher · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:55 am Post subject:

I used a tow chain wrapped around the upper bump stop AND my floor jack to compress mine.
_________________
http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/mr_bojangles500/
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,71,71,71 AT,72,72 AT Parts
56 & 57 oval ragtop $2,500

Russ Wolfe · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 11:03 am Post subject:

Has anybody tried one of these to when lowering/raising the rear on your T-3??
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3980
_________________
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey

Gary: OK. Ima poop.

DamagedJustice86 · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:30 pm Post subject:

Anyone have an idea of how many notches I can raise my '71 Squareback without any major issues? I actuall started cleaning up the axles today to get them ready for me to do the lift on it. I can't wait. So any opinions on how many clicks to go up, let me know. I'm going to do it this upcoming weekend. I will have to post a thread for this build man. Thanks again guys.

James
_________________________________________________________
'71 FI Squareback "The Suz..."

KTPhil · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:34 pm Post subject:

DamagedJustice86 · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:03 am Post subject:

One more thing concerning the lift....you guys think I should do the inners or outer splines? Also anyone know if I need to buy new shocks before I do this or will the stock shocks work for a lift of a couple inches? Thanks again for any info.

James
___________________________________________________________
'71 FI Squareback "The Suz..."

isenegger · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:30 am Post subject:

i have watched all 4 videos and read this whole thread but im still confussed on how to lower the back of my 73 bug.

sharkskinman · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:10 am Post subject:

what is confusing

unbolt axle from end of spring plate
unbolt torsion cover
jack arm up by axle end
and pry out (behind arm at body/past small ledge)
with big screw driver (i use lug wrench or pickle fork)
while lowering jack

MARK WHERE YOU START!!
pull spring plate out and turn Up or Down desired splines
(I always prefer inner)

put torsion cover on with 2 Long bolts
Jack arm back up and onto the small ledge
bolt in
attach axle

My question is
why cant i Raise the front up 2 splines
it seams as i only get 1 then right side tierod bottoms out

this info would be good

isenegger · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 3:03 pm Post subject:

i guess i need someone to do it for me

tomnotch · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:41 pm Post subject:

For the easist this method is a tried and proven one, and most certainly would work well for you. Laughing

Go to your local big box home improvement store and buy some bags of sand or cement and place behind the rear seat. Very low skills level required, but a good back helps. Laughing

isenegger · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:20 pm Post subject:

Soul Built · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:57 am Post subject:

ISENEGGER....it isn't very hard at all. Honestly, all it takes is a bit of patience and confidence.

Follow the video and it is okay to stop mid-project to reference the video again.

Don't pay a shop to do something you can do yourself. In the long run, if you get good at it, you can make money lowering your friends cars Smile

ekuhl123 · Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject:

with the bolts on the cv joint that my haynes manual calls "spline drive" if i strip them out could i replace them with regular bolts or is there a reason for them being the spline drive bolts?

ekuhl123 · Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 9:27 pm Post subject:

Disregard my last posti found the too to take them out so its not a problem. my new problem is that im trying to lift a 71 bug using this same process and i took it all apart like you said but the trailing arm will not move far enough to get out of the way of the spring plate. is there some trick to getting it to move or should i just remove it entirely?

Bobnotch · Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 7:45 am Post subject:

You have to remove the CV's to get enough drop from the trailing arm. I've even had to remove the brake hose clip, to get a little more working room. You might have to release the parking brake cables as well, as not all cars are exactly the same in this respect.
_________________
Bob 65 Notch S with Sunroof
71 Notch ...aka Krunchy; build pics here; http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=240540 -tear down
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249390 -been busy working
64 T-34 Ghia...aka Wolfie, under construction... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=412120

ekuhl123 · Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject:

i did remove teh cv joint and handbrake cable but did not un clip the brake line, and it was still a long way off from being out of the way. is there a reason not to take off the diagonal railing arm besides the fact that it takes some work to do?

>Help >Donate >Buy Shirts >Register >Log in	See all Samba banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

Lowering and leveling the Type 3 - video
Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Next

	Forum Index -> Type 3	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Next
Page 3 of 7