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tewfiks Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2016 Posts: 100 Location: Tallahassee
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 1:26 pm Post subject: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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I am updating the front calipers on my 1972 Westy to the later 73 style calipers. I have the bushing kit but seem to have a fitment issue with the front dust shields. The calipers will not fit with our modifying the shields. Do I just need to order 73 shields to use these calipers?
Also replacing my front shocks. I purchased Sachs shocks but the lower mount is too small for the attachment. What shock is a direct fit on these 72 buses?
Thanks _________________ 1968 VW Bus
1972 VW Westy |
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pioneer1 Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2008 Posts: 2068 Location: Ontario Canada
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 1:40 pm Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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Do your new calipers bolt on the old spindles? I had to change spindles.
Shocks: did you remove the old steel liner where the bolt slides through? _________________ "Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"
'85 Porsche 911 Targa
'76 Westfalia project |
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kreemoweet Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2008 Posts: 3889 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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You need to either modify the 72 splash shields, or use the later ones. People also sometimes have wheel interference
with those caliper adapter kits.
The shock mounts probably have the old shock bushing sleeves stuck on the stud, they rust on pretty tight and
sometimes have to be cut off. Either that, or you were sent the wrong shocks. _________________ '67 bug: seized by the authorities
'68 bug: seized by the authorities
'71 kombi: not yet seized by the authorities
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tewfiks Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2016 Posts: 100 Location: Tallahassee
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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I don't know if they bolt on the spindles because the brake backing interferes with the calipers. I will modify the shields first before I throw more money at this.
What spindles did you have to use with these brakes? From a 73?
I did not realize that there was a sleeve on the bottom bolts. I will try and get those off first. That is where the bottom shock mounting point gets stuck.
Thanks _________________ 1968 VW Bus
1972 VW Westy |
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airschooled Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012 Posts: 12686 Location: on a bike ride somewhere
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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68-70 buses had smaller lower shock mounting studs/shock sleeves. Post a picture if you'd like a definite answer on if you have a stuck sleeve or incorrect shock/torsion arm combination.
A bus I worked with recently had a 68-70 torsion arm/shock on one side, and a 71+ setup on the other side. _________________ Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com |
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kreemoweet Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2008 Posts: 3889 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 4:58 pm Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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tewfiks wrote: |
What spindles did you have to use with these brakes? From a 73? |
Your '72 spindles are fine. That's the whole point of the "bushing kit", to allow 73-79 calipers to be
mounted to '71-'72 spindles. _________________ '67 bug: seized by the authorities
'68 bug: seized by the authorities
'71 kombi: not yet seized by the authorities
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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tewfiks Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2016 Posts: 100 Location: Tallahassee
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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airschooled wrote: |
Post a picture if you'd like a definite answer on if you have a stuck sleeve or incorrect shock/torsion arm combination.
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I will try and post an image tomorrow.
Thanks for all the advise/insight. _________________ 1968 VW Bus
1972 VW Westy |
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tewfiks Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2016 Posts: 100 Location: Tallahassee
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:44 am Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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This is what I am dealing with. It appears as though it is part of the prior shock that has rusted to the mounting bolt.
I have been able to remove one side and am struggling with the other. I have heated it to no avail. I may have to cut this off but would like to avoid damaging the bolt
_________________ 1968 VW Bus
1972 VW Westy |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22568 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 5:36 am Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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If it wasn’t glowing red you weren’t heating it, you were tickling it.
OXy that amd it will come off.
That’s easily grindable too, only the outer threads are used so you could cut the barrel until it splits _________________ .ssS! |
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RalphWiggam Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2018 Posts: 906 Location: SouthEast
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 6:07 am Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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Id be weary of heating that bolt too much. You dont want to weaken it.
I would take a dremel and a cutoff wheel to it very carefully. Should only be about 10 minutes of work to slice it off. Wear googles obviously. |
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aeromech Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 16922 Location: San Diego, California
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 7:55 am Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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I don’t see the value of changing from a 1972 caliper to the late model. What are you trying to improve? _________________ Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:25 am Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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I don't see any traces of a liquid penetrating oil on it. Penetrating oil is a special oil that reduces the size of the rust molecules, so it helps free rusted things. _________________ “Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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Manfred58sc Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2009 Posts: 3374
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2021 7:47 am Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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Cut a horizontal groove in the sleeve, insert sharp chisel, bang with 3# short sledge. Presto its off! I also see little value in this upgrade . _________________ Fat chick owner/operator |
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SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:46 am Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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I see no value in the upgrade either. As long as the parts are available it often makes more sense to just repair what one has. The only upgrade I can think that would have benefit is taking a 1970 or earlier bus to discs and a flange in the back. _________________ “Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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aeromech Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 16922 Location: San Diego, California
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:54 am Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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The only upgrade I can think that would have benefit is taking a 1970 or earlier bus to discs and a flange in the back.
I'm in the middle of fixing a botched attempt to install 1971 front brakes onto a 1968 DC. I am installing a booster so essentially, it will be stock, power assisted four wheel drum brakes when I'm done.
_________________ Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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tewfiks Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2016 Posts: 100 Location: Tallahassee
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:09 pm Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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My goal was to have an easier supply parts as the bus ages. I have a pair of buses (68 and 72) that seem to have one year only parts. The 72 has been off the road for many years prior to my ownership and I dread not having the parts going forward to accomplish getting back on the road. _________________ 1968 VW Bus
1972 VW Westy |
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aeromech Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 16922 Location: San Diego, California
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 4:56 pm Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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Stick with the 1971/1972 front brakes. I have several rebuilt calipers for those years _________________ Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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Humpst Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2021 Posts: 11 Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:18 am Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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I am new to site and new to my 1972 Baywindow. I am working on front brakes and seem to be running into some issues with the calipers. I have purchased rebuilt calipers and the right side worked fine. However, the left side caliper came in with standard threads for hard brake line which causes an issue connecting it to the flexible brake line. I have ordered another left caliper to see if it come in with correct treads.
I guess my nagging question is what is the difference in the left and right calipers? They are sold as such but look the same me?
Thanks for any info!
Cheers! |
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kreemoweet Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2008 Posts: 3889 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:53 am Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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Humpst wrote: |
my nagging question is what is the difference in the left and right calipers? |
The L&R calipers are supposed to be mirror images of each other. If your calipers have two bleeder screws
(earliest ones only had 1), then you can flip either upside down and mount it on the other side. But then the
skinny and fat mounting bolts will be reversed (top vs bottom). Some folks say (with no evidence given) that
this matters. Other folks say it's 6 of one and a half-dozen of the other (again with no evidence given). VW/ATE
put the fat bolt at both bottom and top on various caliper versions. _________________ '67 bug: seized by the authorities
'68 bug: seized by the authorities
'71 kombi: not yet seized by the authorities
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Humpst Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2021 Posts: 11 Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 6:06 am Post subject: Re: 1972 Westy front shocks and calipers |
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kreemoweet wrote: |
Humpst wrote: |
my nagging question is what is the difference in the left and right calipers? |
The L&R calipers are supposed to be mirror images of each other. If your calipers have two bleeder screws
(earliest ones only had 1), then you can flip either upside down and mount it on the other side. But then the
skinny and fat mounting bolts will be reversed (top vs bottom). |
They do have two bleeder screws and if the mounting bolts you are referring to are the ones that mount caliper to wheel, they are both the same size on my bus. So, can I just use a right caliper on the left? |
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