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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8472
Location: Arizona
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 Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 8:51 pm Post subject: Westy Table Lubrication Hack |
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Searched and couldn't find a topic on the subject (perhaps not using right search words).
While removing the gaffer tape from the bracket due to a failed experiment, I had the front table upside down and remembered creating a solution to lubricating the tables without grease (messy), or UHMW tape (yet another fail for this stuff... took an Eraser Wheel to remove the adhesive): thin, flexible plastic cutting mat I had collecting dust:
Tables rotate smoothly and no more metal/paint being ground off. 
_________________
~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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OlisGarage
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2022
Posts: 244
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 10:02 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Table Lubrication Hack |
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Smooth, dare I say..slick!
Nice work, very creative. Will have to keep that in mind. Thanks for sharing!
_________________
1981 VW Vangagon TDI (in progress)
1984 VW Rabbit Convertible (daily)
2003 VW Jetta Wagon TDI (recovering from a hit and run) |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8192
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 10:29 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Table Lubrication Hack |
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Nicely done. Here’s what I posted back in 2016 and it’s still working to this day (not surprised that search didn’t find this short thread). I recall that an earlier iteration was a quart size yogurt lid that worked well until it wore out.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8198274&highlight=#8198274
| jimf909 wrote: |
The metal-to-metal nature of the Westy table-to-arm mount has always annoyed me. If you don't loosen the screw the metal bits grind into each other to produce noise and dust.
I've added low friction spacers to eliminate this. Below is what I currently have : a flexible cutting board trimmed and fastened into place. Now the table pivots more easily w/reduced friction. It also seems to stay in place better.
Enjoy. |
_________________
- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8472
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 11:37 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Table Lubrication Hack |
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| jimf909 wrote: |
| Here’s what I posted back in 2016 and it’s still working to this day (not surprised that search didn’t find this short thread). |
Ah, I knew I couldn't have been the first to have thought of it!  If that thread came up in a search, I looked right over it because of "wobble" in the title. And I didn't even think of searching for "friction". 
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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ragnarhairybreeks
Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2009
Posts: 1939
Location: Sidney B.C. Canada
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| Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 12:34 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Table Lubrication Hack |
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Hi,
For the past few years I’ve been using a 1/8” Teflon disk in that spot. I had a few reject disks from work.
It’s works really well. Suprising that it firms up nicely when you want it tight, but also allows the table to rotate smoothly when you loosen a tad.
Alistair
_________________
'86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17181
Location: Brookeville, MD
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tdivan82 
Samba Member
Joined: September 17, 2023
Posts: 333
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2025 6:18 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Table Lubrication Hack |
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| ragnarhairybreeks wrote: |
Hi,
For the past few years I’ve been using a 1/8” Teflon disk in that spot. I had a few reject disks from work. |
The teflon disc is visibly worn where the table has been rotated. This creates teflon dust. Teflon is toxic, I would not want to sleep in there breathing teflon dust. The design is sound, but a different material would be a better choice.
_________________
82 Westy TDI (ahu)
See my Classified ad for a super deal on a Burley Motorsport Front Disc Brake Kit! |
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