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Post by hightopRob on Apr 11, 2022 18:26:54 GMT -8
Hey everyone so I have started the process of raising my suspension and I have a question for all you experienced guys out there, ( I've never done it )
I have taken everything apart on one side of the rear and when I got to the point of popping the spring plate off the stop to my surpprise there was no tension on it at all so I was able to slide the plate right off by hand which from all I've read that shouldnt be, I surmissed the person who lowered it set it right down to zero tension. Ok here is the question because of what I just said I moved the torsion bar 2 notches on the inner spline down to raise it up and I'm wondering if 2 is too much? I realize I will have to do 2 notches on all four corners now, correct?
I am not going to re attach the axle incase I have to do it again.
Thanks for any advice
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Post by PICTUP on Apr 11, 2022 19:15:07 GMT -8
Seems to me Rob that most people raising or lowering vehicles end up doing so with a lot of experimenting. I don't know if the torsion bars on SBs have equal numbers of splines on the inner or outer ends. I am sure you know Buses do and the interplay between the inner and outer splines is what makes people go a bit crazy. I know it did for me when I was tired of my sagging Westy's rear end. For a long time I ran with no bumper and my ass end in the air....ahh youth, LOL!  |
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Post by Volktales on Apr 11, 2022 19:39:00 GMT -8
The number of splines on the torsion bar is different between the inside and outside splines for fine tuning purposes. On lowered cars, the spring plate is often not on the stop like you found. I would move it down those two splines and see how much tension is required to raise the spring plate to the stop. There will certainly be tension on it on a stock height car. The Bentley manual does give some specs for the spring plate angle. If you don't have one of those protractor thingies, you can borrow mine... The front axle on a type 3 is very different from a Beetle or Bus. Make sure you read up on how it works before diving in. Not hard, just different...
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Post by owdlvr on Apr 11, 2022 19:52:19 GMT -8
Not surprised to hear that you didn't have any tension on the spring plate when you went to pop it off. The '58 just slides on, and the German Look requires just the slightest bit of lifting to get it on.
-Dave
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Post by hightopRob on Apr 11, 2022 19:57:07 GMT -8
Yes there are 40 on the inner and 44 on the outer, I choose the inner to move for two reasons one larger movement on the inner and easier.
I got the spring plate back on before asking this question, it was quite difficult to jack it back up onto the stop but I havent done it before so maybe it was normal.
I have read lots on doing the front, like you said easier but different.
I dont have that protractor thingy, Im not trying to get exactly back to stock just close.
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Post by hightopRob on Apr 11, 2022 20:01:02 GMT -8
German look? as in stock? This took way more than the slightest bit of lifting way more!!
Maybe just lower one notch ??
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Post by Volktales on Apr 11, 2022 20:28:30 GMT -8
I really don't know how much you are going to have to move it. All depends on what the previous owner did to lower it...
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Post by hightopRob on Apr 11, 2022 20:51:27 GMT -8
Ok I guess I will do as Don mentioned, I will leave it at two and then trial and error. Two on the other side and set it down and take it from there
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Post by CrazyBrit on Apr 12, 2022 8:40:41 GMT -8
When I did this to the bus I made certain that it was sitting level on a level floor and measured the lower corner of each spring plate from the floor to ensure it was the same side to side. I initially tried using measurements from the bodywork and found that it was slightly different side to side.
Even after that, I found myself having to fine tune it further. I can understand why people use those expensive adjustable spring plates. Lots of trial and error, bruised knuckles, bad language...
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Post by owdlvr on Apr 12, 2022 9:11:02 GMT -8
Stock suspension settings require some significant lifting / work to get the spring plate on. In order to get it perfect, you're likely to need a combination of inner and outer splines. Trial and error, trial and error.  Why are you raising that poor Type 3?! Lowered is better  haha |
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Post by hightopRob on Apr 12, 2022 12:23:17 GMT -8
hahahaha I was wondering how long it would take for someone to mention lower is better  I'm not really fond of the look plus I dont like how it rides like it's bottoming out over every bump. Also easiear to work on when its off the ground, I had to use 2 jacks to get it up, a little one to lift enough to get the floor jack under it. hahah I finished off the drivers side this morning and doing the other side is way easier because I know what I am doing. |
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Post by PICTUP on Apr 12, 2022 14:08:30 GMT -8
Chain around the bottom of the jack looks like a clever idea. Why are you raising that poor Type 3?! Lowered is better haha Within reason as defined by the numbers of speed bumps around town. |
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Post by hightopRob on Apr 12, 2022 15:27:07 GMT -8
Finished off the rear today and holy smolly it looks high but I will wait to see after front tomorrow. I think it looks high because of the angle of the car and I'm used to it. I did lift the car off the floor jack while raising spring plate hahahahaha
Maybe only one notch on the front to give it a little rake hhhmmm
Pics later tonight
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Post by hightopRob on Apr 12, 2022 16:03:29 GMT -8
  I also found some rust up in the wheelwell which sucks but I'll fix next winter |
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Post by PICTUP on Apr 12, 2022 18:00:34 GMT -8
Yep, now it might have chewed a few too many gummies... Now you need wider tires, LOL! |
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haha
I'm not really fond of the look plus I dont like how it rides like it's bottoming out over every bump. Also easiear to work on when its off the ground, I had to use 2 jacks to get it up, a little one to lift enough to get the floor jack under it. hahah