Westy Table clamp lever (adjustable angle, indexing, ratchet...)

[Sodo]

Departing from my preference for "OG appearance"....

I did this mod 1 year ago.
It's 100% a good mod.

I got tired of twisting that gray knob.
(that pic is photoshop)

Here's the real thing.
The final tight- angle is adjustable.
So once you choose an angle, you can "see" at a glance if it's tight.
on mine.....if it's at the 45° angle, it's TIGHT !

You don't have to climb back in one more time to confirm the table knob is tight.
Consequently, you don't have to stop the van,
walk back there,
tighten a loose table that's swinging around.

Its a nice mod.

The length of the handle allows 2x the torque, it's easier..
It stays tight, and does not need any attachment to the wall.

I bought this (4pcs).
I cut them to 15mm and gave some to friends.
You have to cut the 30mm thread to 15mm otherwise it collides with the corner of the Westy bed.
Preparing the cut end for good engagement, that doesn't gouge the support pipe is worthwhile time spent.

I used a garden-hose washer but someday when the technology catches up I can install a gray bezel.
Some feller could 3D-print bezels for this
in proper Westy colors
to obscure the off-center hole.

========= links to other Westy table mods =======
Westy Table vertical slider modification (How-to)

Westy Table knee-bend
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[MsTaboo]

Nice mod, great for a quick grip on the table leg.
However perhaps that style of handle might become a snag point in the tight confines of the Westy cabin?

I don't know, maybe it's just my Westy, but I've never had any problem with the table staying put with the stock knob. No need to crank hard or for any extra attachments at the wall.

The only other mod I would like to do on mine is to add a fairly strong spring to help lift the table. Always meant to find one that would fit inside the leg/slider tube to ease lifting. Would need to be strong enough to help lift without being so stiff that lowering would be a pain.
_________________
Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
All that's needed for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing.
Resist Kleptocratic Oligarchy (and Idiocracy)!

[Sodo]

[SCM]

[SLOWoody]

I have added a gas strut (~15 lbs of force) inside the tube to help lift the table and it is really nice to not have to worry about the table dropping when you loosen the clamp. I was able to find a gas strut that was small enough in diameter but it was not long enough so I had to 3D print extensions for the ends of the strut. you do have to apply a little force to get the table to go down and if there is not enough weight on the table it will rise on it own when the clamp is loosened. It would be better if the gas strut had only about 12 lbs of force but I was not able to find one with that low of a force in the proper size.

I am now working on using some linear bearing to make the movement of the table up and down much smoother.
_________________
83.5 Westfalia, GW 2.3L w/ GW EFI, 4 speed

[Sodo]

[Sodo]

https://a.co/d/fnAuZIk

This one is M10 x 15mm and should fit without cutting.
Same length handle (80mm)
3 for $12.49
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[Alaskaberrys]

[Alaskaberrys]

[revolution337]

I put a small piece of skateboard grip tape on the inside of my table post clamp, where it presses on the actual table leg, did this "mod" a few years ago. It significantly reduced the amount of knob turning pressure required in order to secure the table and keep it from moving. It has worked wonderfully ever since, and was essentially "free" (my buddy who skates gave me a small piece).

Before:

After:

_________________
1982 Westfalia AEB 1.8t
2017 VW Golf Sportwagen
2001 Audi A4 4.2 V8 swapped
2000 BMW Z3 roadster
-Mark

[Sodo]

I like that grip sticker. I bet skateboard shops have scraps.
If the OG knob works well, maybe you could put a decal on the knob
so you can SEE its loose if the KNOB decal isn't "upright = tight"?

There are various kinds of adhesives.
You don't want a grip-sticker that has thick goo
that oozes when hot
& slides off the "brake shoe".

GREAT pic !!
reminder that the set-screw doesn't dig directly into the pipe,
it presses on a brake shoe.
----> revolution337..... thass some way-good SAMBA!

[SLOWoody]

[kamzcab86]

[DanHoug]

[revolution337]

[jimf909]

Great thread. I'm still a rare earth magnet screwed to the C-pillar guy but the prices on rare earth magnets have nearly doubled since I did that so it's a $20 magnet v. a $12 ratchet handle.

[vanis13]

[Sodo]

[vanis13]

[Sodo]