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Footloose Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2013 Posts: 20 Location: WI
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Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 4:32 pm Post subject: Rough rider |
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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?
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51057 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: Rough rider |
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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! |
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Footloose Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2013 Posts: 20 Location: WI
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Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 4:53 pm Post subject: Re: Rough rider |
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Thanks. I'll get these posted. Bus is at the shop now so it will be tomorrow. |
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Footloose Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2013 Posts: 20 Location: WI
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Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 11:37 am Post subject: Re: Rough rider |
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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.
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63ziggy Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2005 Posts: 1100 Location: The Woodlands, Texas
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Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 12:05 pm Post subject: Re: Rough rider |
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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 |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51057 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 12:13 pm Post subject: Re: Rough rider |
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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! |
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SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 12:36 pm Post subject: Re: Rough rider |
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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 |
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consvws Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2009 Posts: 949 Location: Roseburg, OR
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Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 12:54 pm Post subject: Re: Rough rider |
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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! |
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Footloose Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2013 Posts: 20 Location: WI
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Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 2:40 pm Post subject: Re: Rough rider |
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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. |
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Tcash Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2011 Posts: 12844 Location: San Jose, California, USA
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Footloose Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2013 Posts: 20 Location: WI
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Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 8:58 am Post subject: Re: Rough rider |
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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
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Tcash Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2011 Posts: 12844 Location: San Jose, California, USA
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Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 10:19 am Post subject: Re: Rough rider |
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You need to go to this thread.
Lowering a Bay
Thank you
Tcash |
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THall Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2010 Posts: 324 Location: Verona, WI
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 6:49 am Post subject: Re: Rough rider |
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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 |
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