1962 Type 2 split screen bus converted to IRS. Camber Problem!!

[bacres]

I bought this 62 Bus that had been converted to IRS. It didn't come with a motor or trans. I found both motor and tranny, and when I installed them, the rear end was sagging. I wanted somewhat of a stock height, so I removed the swing plates and adjusted them one notch. Perfect ride height now but the camber is way out. I know there's no camber adjustment on an IRS, but not sure why it's out so much. I read I could attach a "persuasion bar" to the hub and try to bend the entire assembly into proper camber, but this sounded a bit barbaric so I thought I wound ask the Samba community for advise. Motor is a 1600 DP. Transaxle is a freeway flyer. I've included a few pic's to show the camber. Drivers side is way out, passenger side needs adjustment, but not as bad as drivers side. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[55samba]

Was your bus converted to IRS with round bolt on clamps around the torsion tubes that your trailing arms attach too? If so loosen them and turn them so the pivot moves down, this will correct your camber.

If this is a T1 IRS kit you will probably have CV joint issues running this high. More specifically, your CV joint life wont be good.

[bacres]

This is a Type 1 bug IRS. I was told that it would be best if I changed out the CV's to Thing CV's. greater degree of travel, larger diameter and deeper splines. But this does still have the T1 CV's for now. But do you think this is what's causing my camber problem?

[joe56vw]

Type 1 IRS is not made to run at stock bus height maybe if it's has bolt on shackles you could adjust some of that camber out but i wouldn't expect it to work perfectly
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[55samba]

[bacres]

It does not have the round bolt on clamps. See pics below. This was the setup when I got it. I could be wrong about this being a T1 IRS. I was told it was by a local shop, but to be homnest,,, they've given me some bad advice in the past.

[sled]

that setup is NOT designed to run at stock height.

if you want zero camber and stock height then you need to change suspension.
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drive your split.

[Bulli Klinik]

You can get relatively close to what you're after with the parts you have. It looks to me like the pick-ups for the trailing arms are not properly installed. You may have to cut them off and start over.

This, my old Bus, was set up similarly to yours. IRS Beetle trailing arms, CV and trans. I had to lower it a little, but I still managed to fit some 14" BFG under it.

_________________
I've never met a Bus I didn't like.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

[bacres]

I take it ur talking about where the swing arm pivot mounts to the torsion axle housing tube?? I never noticed before that they were not symmetrical... should these mounts be level? It seems both are pitched up too far, the drivers side more so than the passenger side. This coincides with my camber problem. Drivers side way out, passenger side only slightly!,,,, these are welded in so I would need to cut them out and re-weld new ones, but what angle? Level??

[Busstom]

[bacres]

Ahhh. Ok. After further inspection, there's less than 3 inches of weld on these existing mounts. It's good that I inquired cause if I hadn't, i would have never known about this issue. I might have been stranded when these mounts snapped off. I've been searching for a few hours and I've found different kits but I really only need the bolt on mounts. Thanks for the help. I'll post a few pics once completed.

[CruisinMark]

[Busstom]

[CruisinMark]

Thanks Busstom. I want to IRS the bus, but don't want to slam it, hence the reason I'm considering the 181 CVs for the greater travel angles. Sorry for the hijack!

[CruisinMark]

One further question. Do the 944 rear hubs add anything to the rear track width? I previously had a straight axle kit fitted, but could not get the wheels off without disassembling the whole rear end. I have a set of 944 steel trailing arms, hubs and discs that I could potentially use. Do the stock early 15" (large cutout) wheels fit over the brake calipers? My bus is a '57.

[bacres]

Well, after 3 years, I'm finally getting around to posting a follow up to my camber problem. Per the suggestions, I removed the swing arm's where they were welded to the axle tube. As I stated in an earlier post.. the swing arms were welded with just 3 tact welds on each side.. so, i'm very glad I took on this task as this could have ended very badly had I hit a pot hole doing 60 MPH and the weld's give out. None the less, i removed the old mounts, and purchased the bolt on mounts. I switched out the axle stubs to "Thing" axle stubs, also changed out the flanges on the transmission to match the "Thing" axle. Then completed the task by aligning the front and rear wheels using jack stands and twine. (this was done with the engine and transmission installed). And BOOM!!! Perfect camber!! a belated "Thanks Again" for the Samba Community help on this project. This started out as a "Father/Daughter" project, and we've been at it for 5 years now, but the end is in sight. Got the bus back from paint in July, and we've been working on putting it back together since then.. Should be finished by late spring, early summer... Here are the "BEFORE" Pictures of the camber problem..

And here are the "AFTER" Pictures..

[Busstom]

Excellent, looks like you got it set up the way you want it. Nice of you to follow up with the outcome.
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My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom) 😏

[sled]

having your brake lines like that is not a good idea
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drive your split.

[b-man]

[Daddybus]

Once you have the clamp-on pivots where you want them, you should run a couple of tack welds to make sure they don't shift under load. Thats what I did to my IRS'd bus.