Building an adjustable beam with Avis adjusters (Tutorial)

[jeremyrockjock]

I think they would be too short.
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Why buy what you can build.
Step away from the fiberglass and no one gets hurt!!

[70 140]

They also come in longer lengths for the guys who run spacers.

[VolkDubz]

[powellscooter]

OK once all this is done, how do you do the actual height adjustment? I am thinking.... raise bus with jack, loosen adjusters, lower bus with jack to desired ride height, tighten adjusters.

[sled]

that doesnt work because then the springs will compress and youll be lower than desired height.

just need to account for the suspension compression.
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drive your split.

[Long-roofs]

[mr. warehouse]

I usually set the bus up on stands, loosen the adjusters and jack the wheels / tires up to set the height.

[powellscooter]

[flowman]

LOOKS SO GOOD!!
thank you for your info!
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[33 Willys]

Just got done putting Avis adjusters on the bus. After reading the threads I decided to do it a bit different. First thing I did was use a spot rivet drill to remove the dimples I could get to. No damage to the center spring retainer at all and was easy to move it out of the way with a few taps. Next I cut the slot just a little bigger than it needed to be. I was able to get a die grinder in and smooth out the rest of the dimple area as well as a LITTLE grinding on the rest of the area. Now the spring retainer moves easily by hand. After welding in the adjusters there is a little heat warpage but the adjusters still move easy. I will use black RTV to cover the holes so there will not be more heat distortion due to welding. I recommend a 1" square tube to beat the spring retainers out of the way because it has less chance of rounding off the edge of the spring holes. If you beat it too much the hole will get peened over and then you have a tuff time getting the springs back in. Drilling out the dimples solve this problem.

[Klemen Klemen]

Hey all!
Could someone tell me how to drill out this holes without damaging the inner part where the bolt is put in.

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1955 oct oval
1960 jan split bus
1974 topless

[volksfahrer.nl]

Hey klemen!

after you've drilled out the diples in the beam that hold the centre-block in place you can slide the block a bit away from the center.
That way you have room to change the bolthole into a slot.

Be sure to slide the centre-block back in plave when welding up the dimples again.
Also rotate the block while you weld to prevent it from getting welded stuck!
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www.theundutchables.nl

66 panel

[rjonas]

I just installed adjusters on my bus while the beam was still bolted in. I used a 1-1/2" heavy wall pipe and 5lb sledge to smack the retainer off the dimples then I used a small cut off wheel to cut the slot and a die grinder with a burr bit to grind the dimples down from the inside. Smacked the retainer back to center from the other side, weld in the adjusters and it's done. I used the avis style adjusters but I disected them and rewelded and now they resemble the Bus Boys "Albatross" style. I will post some pictures as soon as I locate my camera, mia for 3-weeks now.
Shhhh...it was on my bay window bus but the concept is the same. Oh, and I was RAISING my bus not lowering.
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1979 Type-2 Westfalia “Sandy”
1973 Type-181 Thing "Velma"
1956 Type-1 Beetle Patina Project “Rosie”

www.azbusclub.org

[Klemen Klemen]

Are you talking about these things?

BTW, how hard it is to just smack the retainer off?
_________________
1955 oct oval
1960 jan split bus
1974 topless

[jeremyrockjock]

I create the slot with a cut off wheel. Yes those are the dimples
_________________
Why buy what you can build.
Step away from the fiberglass and no one gets hurt!!

[rjonas]

[jeremyrockjock]

Actually what I do now is cut the retainer out totally. I then hammer the dimples with a punch and then set the retainer back in and fill in the hole except for where the adjuster bolt will slide.
_________________
Why buy what you can build.
Step away from the fiberglass and no one gets hurt!!

[rjonas]

Pictures as promised.

Cut the slots

The Avis style before I cut it up

1-1/2" pipe with "C" channel for pounding

Grind the dimples from the inside with this

My creation: The "Avis-atross"

Set to raise 2" or drop 4" from stock height.

Ta-da

_________________
1979 Type-2 Westfalia “Sandy”
1973 Type-181 Thing "Velma"
1956 Type-1 Beetle Patina Project “Rosie”

www.azbusclub.org

[tofftons]

my beam does not have dimpplies it has long crimps ...so now what

[jeremyrockjock]

I have never seen one like that. Can you post a pic of it?
_________________
Why buy what you can build.
Step away from the fiberglass and no one gets hurt!!