My 1971 Campmobile, our first bus!

daninvan · Last edited by daninvan on Sun Jun 21, 2015 1:31 pm; edited 1 time in total

After many years waiting for the right time, we've finally added a new member to the family, our 1971 Campmobile!

I'm hoping to show the work I do as I go along. I've already had to do some rewiring to pass safety inspection here in BC, and i'll tidy all that up soon enough. Next tasks are the rear shocks, and install a temporary horn until I get a new steering wheel.

Some front end work, and brakes will be very soon to follow.

I'm the fourth owner, and clearly she has been loved over her 44 years.
Currently named Etta, will be renamed, once she has her BC plates.

Photos to follow!

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

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1971 Campmobile

dumptuck · Samba Member Joined: May 24, 2015 Posts: 235 Location: BC

Beautiful bus!
Very familiar BC landscape too Very Happy

daninvan · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 7:45 pm Post subject:

Thanks! We are so happy with her Very Happy

This was taken in Klamath Park, in Northern Cali, on her way back home on the 101. Easily looks like BC!
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1971 Campmobile

zoobum · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 2:09 pm Post subject: Bus

Nice picture. Any updates on the bus?

daninvan · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 9:05 pm Post subject:

There sure is!

Took it for inspection, and the news wasn't good. I knew a few things might be iffy, but he found a grocery list of things I need to fix before I get the all clear.

Tie rods, drag link, upper and lower ball joints, cv boots, rear drums, front discs to name a few!

I knew it needed updating, but the inspector was especially stringent.

I've a camping trip planned in July, so I've got my work cut out for me!
I've got my days off coming up, and I foresee a few very long days under the bus Shocked

Pics to follow very soon.

I'd welcome any tips or info on my upcoming work plans.

Thanks for looking!
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1971 Campmobile

lintbrush · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 7:22 am Post subject:

That's not a scary list. Just get a good (preferably a professional VW specialist) alignment when you finish up the front end. Check my gallery for some torsion arm replacement pics. Samba user Atmellovw has better detailed step thru photos that I referenced along the way. Having all the right tools is obviously important too. I had to invest in a few before embarking on my front end work. Good luck!
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1970 Westfalia Campmobile - SF Bay Area
https://www.instagram.com/campishome/

Bala · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 7:36 am Post subject:

Nice bus! I love early red Westys!

And, I agree, that's not a bad list really. Nothing too difficult to do at home with the exception of the ball joints.
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1976 Westy

1966 Beetle

grandpa pete · Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 7:43 am Post subject:

Harbor Freight has good prices on some of those front end tools that you will be using .
Normally I wouldn't recommend them but there isn't too much difference in stuff like "pickle forks " ; and you won't be using it much anyway .

Read about marking EVERYTHING you take off AND counting turns as you unscrew parts Shocked

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63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery

daninvan · Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 10:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks so much everyone for the good advice and helpful tips and tricks.
I've ordered all I need, and hopefully can get it all done in time.

It's not in my favour with Canada day upon us, as lots of places will be closed.
But, I'm going to try my hardest to get it all sorted.

Updates coming shortly!

Thanks again to those that replied. Very Happy

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1971 Campmobile

daninvan · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 9:06 pm Post subject:

Here's my first box of goodies:

Ball joints, tie rods and drag link, CV boots and some other smaller stuff.

Time to get to it!

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1971 Campmobile

busdaddy · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 9:15 pm Post subject:

Looks like a good start, just where in "BC" are you?, a narrower location may elicit more local help.
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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!

daninvan · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 9:17 pm Post subject:

I'm in Vancouver.
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1971 Campmobile

busdaddy · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 9:45 pm Post subject:

Are you on the Airspeed forums? http://www.airspeedparts.com
I'm in South Surrey but there's a few people who aren't afraid of balljoints close to you.
_________________
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!

daninvan · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 7:19 pm Post subject: Repair update!

well,

I've been busy, but have come up short. A few things are just beyond my capacity at home to do.
I've changed the drag link, and tie rods, steering damper. You can see how badly worn the joints were, definitely needed to be replaced.
I made sure to measure the old against the new and keep them the same length. They were relatively easy to do. I used a pickle fork and a hammer and they came right off.

The torsion arms were a little more problematic but not too bad. The sway bar came off easily enough. You first tap the metal keeper off the clamp and then bend the metal off the arm.

The bottom arms came straight out, the uppers took some hammering, but came out. I marked the location just as a matter of good practice and sent them to the shop to press in some new ball joints. I tried and tried at home, but just couldn't create enough force to press them out.

Rear shocks were straight forward, two bolts, in, out done.

It's been lots of fun and rewarding so far. I've got the cv boots and shift bushings to do next, and everything else I need to do is a simple replacement, no stress.

If anyone has any tips on the cv boots, I'd be very appreciative!

Thanks all!

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1971 Campmobile

Tcash · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 11:50 am Post subject: CV Joint

CV Joint Service

Good luck
Tcash

daninvan · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 6:37 pm Post subject: Update, cc joints

heres a link to a separate thread I stated regarding the cv joint service on my bus.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=632685
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1971 Campmobile

daninvan · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 6:51 pm Post subject: Update

I'm nearing the finish line now, almost all the dirty jobs are done, the last of which are reinstall and pack the cv joints, and replace the shift bushings.

After that, I've a new steering wheel to install, fix the high/low beam problem, install a new turn signal switch and new retractable seat belts.

I can't wait until it's all done and she has her BC plates.

Here is a list of what's been done:
Upper and lower ball joints
Tie rods
Drag link
Steering damper
New rotors
New drums
Brake adjustment
Rewired reverse and license plate light
Installed new rear marker lights and rewired
Rear shocks
Cv joint servicing (almost done)
Shift rod bushings (tomorrow)

Some smaller odds and ends have been done already too.

I have pics, but most of them are pretty boring, and all that stuff has been covered at length in the forums.

It was a great time getting dirty and learning as I went, I'd shave half the time off the next time I have to do any of it!

Thanks for the tips and help to those that replied!

Pics soon to follow of the finished product!
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1971 Campmobile


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