How to lower a Bus and all lowering questions

[jesse luna]

Thanks 65,
So that solved the problem for you? Also does the spacer work with the same lug nuts?
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What if everything is an illusion and nothing exists? In that case, I definitely overpaid for my carpet.
-Woody Allen

[65 Deluxe]

You would have a problem with a 1/2 spacer because you would have enough lug nut thread in the drums, but you could get away with smaller spacers. It looks like the guy here sells them in different thicknesses and you could always get longer studs and nuts or get longer lug nuts.

It solved the problem for me and I just drove 200 plus miles this weekend on them to a show for its maiden voyage, so they are working. I am using a straight axle kit with four lug drums drilled to a Porsche pattern for my 16x6 Fuchs wheels. I also ground down the top bump stop for the spring plate. It sticks out another 1/4 of an inch or so that is touching your tire. I just ground it back flush with the rest of the stop and put the 5/16 spacer on the drums and I am good.
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Think big drive a bus...
Own it, drive it, and don't make it a trailer queen...

The VW Junkie,
55 Oval
56 Euro 23 Window
58 Krankenwagen (Mr. Kranken)
59 Fjord Blue Bug
61 Ragtop
61 Double Cab
64 Euro Squareback Model S
65 21 Window (Blue)
71 Deluxe Bay Window

[galencurrington]

my question is how do you get the tires on. i just lowered the SC with the offset spring plates to run a 68 tranny and used 68 brakes with thing drums to clear the springplate but how do you get the tire on. and what about E Brakes i know some guys don't run them but i want to what cables and stuff.

[65 Deluxe]

I can just jack my bus up and pull them out, but some will use a scissor jack behind the wheel to push the spring plate down. Both work just takes a little more time. I have a friend that removes the three bolts to the spring plate and swings the axle down. As far as the ebrake is concerned Nate a Wagenswest makes a 2 inch ebrake cable extender that goes on the end of the outer jacket of the cable and the other end fits into the back of the backing plate. You will have to cut an inch and a half off of the spring because of the placement of the brake extender. When I cut my springs I just made sure that I had good compression of the springs. Just cut yours accordingly.
_________________
Think big drive a bus...
Own it, drive it, and don't make it a trailer queen...

The VW Junkie,
55 Oval
56 Euro 23 Window
58 Krankenwagen (Mr. Kranken)
59 Fjord Blue Bug
61 Ragtop
61 Double Cab
64 Euro Squareback Model S
65 21 Window (Blue)
71 Deluxe Bay Window

[oring71]

Is it possibal to lower the rear of my bus by 2splines whilst still running RGB's?
Is there anyone out there who is down 2splines and can post some pics for me to see please?

Thanks,
Eric.
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Das Maltese Kruizers

[sled]

yes, it is physically possible, but not a good idea. The camber looks stupid, and you run the risk of potentially starving the RGB bearings of proper lubrication. Not to mention your toe-in would be out of wack and bus spring plates do not allow for any adjustments.
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drive your split.

[oring71]

Thanks for the reply sled,
Im trying to find some pics of any bus lowerd 2splins running RGB's but cant seem to find any, (maby cos as you said,,,its not such a good idea).

Eric.
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Das Maltese Kruizers

[62Baido]

[pyrOman]

Nice single cab! >>>>------------------------------------------------------------------------^^^^
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Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise.

[kingodirtp3]

Here's my lowering a bus experience.
I bought a 67 bus last November. I ordered a stock width adjustable beam, 3.5
dropped spindles, and offset spring plates with shock mounts. Then I got 68 type
3 swing axles with tubes and bearing caps. Then I found type 3 backing plates. I
bought new type3 wide 5 drums and brake components front and back. White kyb
shocks all around. The ebrake spacer works without modification. 195/60/14 front
and 205/60/14 rear. Once I got all that I started the process with allot of info from
Nate, bus boys, Wolfgang int. and the samba. Here are some of the things I found
out about after I started that I wish I would’ve know from the beginning.

Get the spring plate bolts for a type3 or bug, spacer too.
If using stock 14x5 bus rims with 205 tires you’ll need a 10mm spacer.
The ebrake hold down bracket on the back of the backing plates needs to be found. The horizontal lever between the brake pads for the ebrake needs to be found
too, bus won’t work in type3. I still had to modify the type3 lever.
The shocks will rub the spring plate if you don’t relocate their mounts.
Be sure the bearings are fully seated in the tranny side covers before bolting them
on after you flip the ring n pinion gear. I chipped of some of the casting around
my transmission shaft that goes into the pressure plate. Hope the tranny will last a
little while.
Get a protractor to adjust the spring plates.
5ft long cheater pipe to bust off the axle nuts is very handy.
Mark where the spring plates where before removing them.
Type 3 drums have 12mm lug bolts and they need to be longer if you use spacers,
bus lug bolts are 14mm. I have extras of both now.
while the tranny is out don’t forget to get new throw out bearing, starter bushing,
engine mounts Bowden tube, clutch and throttle cables, check fuel hose even.
A scissor jack works great to get the rear wheel off. You’ll need it to push the
spring plate down further.
For the front suspension you’ll have to put the brake lines on the bottom cylinder.
I found this out tonight; be sure to put the backing plates on the right side, there’s
a difference. The top bleeding screw will be blocked by the spindle if you got it
wrong.
No washer on the bottom ling pin bolt, it’ll cause the bolt to hit the tie rod arm
and bind the suspension.
Bolt the center of the leave springs first when reinstalling them.
Bolt the brake hose to the cylinder first; it only spins on the body side.
Mount the spindles with the pointy nut facing to the back of the bus, towards the
center of the car. Found that out after I put it on backwards and couldn’t figure
out why I have a 1/2 in gap between the top link pin and the torsion arms.
Also be sure to save the concave washers that go on the link pins between the
spindle and torsion arms.
Nylon locking bolts are ok to use instead of castle nuts.
Get grade 9 or better bolts if you replace the stock ones or loose them.
Don’t forget to put the shims in.
Get a solid straight edge and sharpie so you can set up your toe on the garage
floor.
Remove ebrake, throttle, clutch cables, and shifter linkage before trying to pull
the beam out.
Get new shift linkage bushings since it’s out.
Get new bleeder screws if you don’t get new cylinders. Get new torsion arm
bushings too.
Get the locking plates for the spindle bolts.
The stepped link pin washers need to be tweeked to fit, but they will work.
Get new wheel bearings and seals, i didnt yet.
I think that’s about it, I have another thread with pics of my bus in progress.

[KC49ford]

okay i got a pair of spindles for my 64 deluxe , i want to know if you guys have pics an tech know how for me on how to flip them, or make them drop spindles please ? i am not rich an i want to learn how to do it for myself so any help i would be grateful for thanks .

[golfthis01]

hello, can i just lower the front with 2.5 inch drop spindles and keep the gear reduction box in? thanks kurt

[Mikee]

[golfthis01]

yea thanks,how much can i lower the rear plates before i issues with hitting the stops on big bumps

i just want a mild dropnothing to serious, kurt

[Mikee]

you should start looking in the SBS thread and site, but if you did spindals and turn the back 2 notch you should be fine, dont know how level your bus would be
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[KC49ford]

so i guess thats a trade secret an nobody want to share there pics or know how on how to do a set of drop spindles huh?

[Mikee]

The search button is your friend. there are many threads on spindals and how to gusset them, I believe the gallery has some good pics too.
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[KC49ford]

Thanks any ideas on where to start, is all i was really getting at .Pics help to i would really like to learn how to do all this . In the start of this thread they were talking bought it ,but there where no pics an i really got lost on what they where saying. I am more of the type of person who would rather you show them how to do it then just go buy it here .(sorry if my post was me sounding like a jerk , i just want to learn how to do all that i can on my bus )thanks guys all the help i can get would be great

[Mikee]

start talking to the SBS(streering box scrapers) guys, they will be your best resource
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[KC49ford]

Thank you