Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Rough rider
Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Footloose
Samba Member


Joined: August 02, 2013
Posts: 20
Location: WI
Footloose is offline 

PostPosted: Mon May 09, 2016 4:32 pm    Post subject: Rough rider Reply with quote

I have a 71 bus and believe the previous owner lowered it, but I'm not sure how. I don't think there are any drop spindles but to be honest I don't know what to look for. In any case, the ride is really rough- bone jarring- so I'd like to return it to original level/suspension if possible. Would lowering it cause the ride to be really hard or could there be another cause? Is it possible the bus was lowered just by adjusting the torsion bars? Perhaps these are broken?


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
busdaddy
Samba Member


Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51057
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
busdaddy is offline 

PostPosted: Mon May 09, 2016 4:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Rough rider Reply with quote

How about some photos of the spindles and bump stops as well as the middle of the beam from the rear?
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Footloose
Samba Member


Joined: August 02, 2013
Posts: 20
Location: WI
Footloose is offline 

PostPosted: Mon May 09, 2016 4:53 pm    Post subject: Re: Rough rider Reply with quote

Thanks. I'll get these posted. Bus is at the shop now so it will be tomorrow.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Footloose
Samba Member


Joined: August 02, 2013
Posts: 20
Location: WI
Footloose is offline 

PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2016 11:37 am    Post subject: Re: Rough rider Reply with quote

The bus was up on the lift at the shop so I'm not sure what we can learn from the photos below. Does not appear to be any drop spindles.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
63ziggy
Samba Member


Joined: June 19, 2005
Posts: 1100
Location: The Woodlands, Texas
63ziggy is offline 

PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2016 12:05 pm    Post subject: Re: Rough rider Reply with quote

not a bus expert but does not appear to have dropped spindles.

you really need to take some pics when it is on the ground

once dropped back on ground, drive around and let suspension settle.

then take some pics of front and rear bump stops.

that will tell us how much room/play in suspension you have before bump stops bottom out.

when its on the lift, every thing is unloaded and does not replicate ride height.

the rear may have been reindexed thus causing it to bottom out sooner on stops.

sorry, more pics IMO
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail AIM Address Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
busdaddy
Samba Member


Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 51057
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
busdaddy is offline 

PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2016 12:13 pm    Post subject: Re: Rough rider Reply with quote

From the shine on those front bump stops it appears they are your only suspension, if there are no adjusters on the back of the beam I'll guess your PO just removed some torsion leaves, the only way to confirm and fix is to dismantle the beam.

The rears have likely just been reindexed as already mentioned.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
SGKent Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
SGKent is offline 

PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2016 12:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Rough rider Reply with quote

what the original owner probably did was pull out some leaves up front to equalize the rear butt sag. Most likely you will need to find a good set of front leaves that were MARKED when they were pulled out so you can put them back the same way. Then re-index the back to the correct angle, and replace the rubber donuts in the rear at the same time.

Look for a good set of marked* leaves first, and if you aren't comfortable with doing the work, get with Colin when he passes through WI June 17 - 20.

*If you put leaves back in that are not marked and they end up upside down they will break.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
consvws
Samba Member


Joined: April 07, 2009
Posts: 949
Location: Roseburg, OR
consvws is offline 

PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2016 12:54 pm    Post subject: Re: Rough rider Reply with quote

Let us see a pic of the center section of the front beam to see if there are welds from an old cut-n-turn job. If not they are broken leaves or someone removed leaves as mentioned. Nice bus though! Cool
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail AIM Address Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Footloose
Samba Member


Joined: August 02, 2013
Posts: 20
Location: WI
Footloose is offline 

PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2016 2:40 pm    Post subject: Re: Rough rider Reply with quote

Thanks for all the great feedback! I'll post some more photos once the bus is back on the ground. I do recall seeing some potential weld work in the front beam so will get some details on that, too.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Tcash
Samba Member


Joined: July 20, 2011
Posts: 12844
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Tcash is offline 

PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2016 10:19 pm    Post subject: Re: Rough rider Reply with quote

Note adjusters in the center or welding in this area.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Bay Window OE new Leaf Springs
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1923627


Good luck
Tcash
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Footloose
Samba Member


Joined: August 02, 2013
Posts: 20
Location: WI
Footloose is offline 

PostPosted: Sat May 14, 2016 8:58 am    Post subject: Re: Rough rider Reply with quote

Ok, here's the bus back on the ground with some more suspension photos. I'd like to keep this ride height, but have more suspension with it. What's the best approach...adjust torsion bars back to factory, then drop with lowering kit? Also, any recommendations on shop in the Madison Wisconsin area that could do this work? I might be able to do it myself, but I'm not sure.
[img]https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1504699.jpg[/imv
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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

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

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

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

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Tcash
Samba Member


Joined: July 20, 2011
Posts: 12844
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Tcash is offline 

PostPosted: Sat May 14, 2016 10:19 am    Post subject: Re: Rough rider Reply with quote

You need to go to this thread.
Lowering a Bay
Thank you
Tcash
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
THall
Samba Member


Joined: August 25, 2010
Posts: 324
Location: Verona, WI
THall is offline 

PostPosted: Sun May 15, 2016 6:49 am    Post subject: Re: Rough rider Reply with quote

Footloose wrote:
Also, any recommendations on shop in the Madison Wisconsin area that could do this work?


Give Ben a call, he does good work.

http://www.bensveedubshop.com
_________________
'78 Westy - 2.0 FI
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.