Bumpy Ride - Lowered '68 - How?

[cunning plan]

Ok, as you may already know I bought this van last week..

Its already been lowered, but im not sure how and as a result the ride is pants, to the point that on a B road and sometimes even A roads, you cant travel any faster than 40 because you will bounce out of your chair!!!!!!!!!!!!

Im pretty new to bays, so id like some n00bie help here.. I had a look underneath and obviously theres no springs so i figure something has been done to the beam to make it lower? How has it been lowered?

The shocks look stock, they are black and old and fairly non-descript.

Is everyone's ride in a lowered bay this bad? I was watching some bays at chav-jam ride around and they didnt seem as bouncy.....

What can I do? I dont want to do anymore to the bay until ive sorted and am happy with the running gear and ride. I like the look how it is and its not that low, my buddies bug is lower but I have to drive slower, almost a stop, over speedbumps or your feet come off the peddles!!!!!

:?

 

[Guest]

can you take some pics of the middle of the front beam (from the rear of it) both top and bottom (we can tell if adjusters have been fitted and if they are at their lowest setting). Also can you take some pics of the shock towers as well, as the beam may have been cut and turned, another less reversable method of lowering, and what condition are your shocks in? can you take a pic of them as well, is there any leakage from them?? if they are standard they may not be up to the job as your bus looks pretty low.

 

[cunning plan]

Yeah sure Johnny, I will get it on my 3tonn jack and take some pictures of the front end tonight 8)

 

[Guest]

it just easier to understand whats method has been used if theres pictures

 

[Joval]

See if you still have bump stops too, even having rears on mine would bounce you clear out of your seat on a small bump.

 

[Justin & Muttley]

If your bus is that low and still running standard shocks then the ride will be terrible as the shocks will have reached their full compression already!!

Get those pics up so we can have a butchers!!

 

[easy]

waiting for the diagnosis doctor :wink:

 

[cunning plan]

Okay, I took some pictures earlier after taking the carb off for a clean as it keeps stalling :? ..

So this is down, you can see its quite low.

Like my 3tonn jack... 8)

And this is what we have..

Quite a cool picture 8)

Any advice or information you guys can give me would be appreciated..

I noticed that 'streetwagens' from this forum used to own the bus, is he still on this site? Be good to get some more information about it...

 

[AxlFoley]

I'm also new to bay windows, but i can see that your shocks are shot!

see how wet they are, thats the oil leeking out, im sure some one will be allong soon with reccomendations for the best replacements.

 

[Guest]

your shocks are fooked, the wetness on them is definitely an oil leak, it would fail MOT on that. I would wait first and see if you need shorter shocks first.

I cant see if the beam is cut and turned sorry, but can you get a pic from the back of the bus looking forward at the upper bar of the beam? (you dont need to jack it up) and also where it meets the shock towers at either side,

if you can show the other side than the one in these pics as i think it might be on a single adjuster on the top bar but i cant be sure from that angle.

 

[Clarkson46]

Pictures of the beam from the rear are required as was suggested by Johnny as that is where the adjusters will be. The shocks are shot and your ball joints aren't far behind. This is the joys of lowering.

 

[cunning plan]

Arr ok, i kinda figured that the shocks were busted...

I took some more pictures quickly, if they are no good let me know and ill take some better ones tonight when i get back from work..

Thanks for the help lads..

 

[cunning plan]

I just realised uploading those pictures, you cant really see much.. hang on ill see if i can get a better one of the back of the beam.. be right back!

 

[easy]

You will need to get closer to the back of the beam as I cant see any adjuster etc 8)

 

[cunning plan]

Here are some more but without getting too dirty (in a suit at moment :shock: ) this is the best i can do until tonight, if they are still no good ill borrow my buddies 5mpx camera and get some proper ones done..

I then took a lil video to see if that would help...

 

[cunning plan]

Here are those small pictures again but bigger...

 

[Joval]

Single adjuster on top tube. Take your front shocks (dampers) off and I'll bet you won't notice the difference.

 

[Slammed]

That's bloody to low to be just dropped on adjusters.

It'll be sitting on the balljoints at that height which'll contribute to the bouncy ride. It's also be causing them undue stress...

You probably want KYB GR2 shocks from the rear of a beetle on there if you intend to keep it at that height. Also check your steering damper while you're under there, and chop off the bump stops.

8)

 

[Guest]

The bump stops are already gone, it does indeed look like just a single adjuster. i assume you dont want to raise it? if your keeping it low then the replacement shocks are a good idea but i think you are at the limit of travel for your ball joints as mentioned and it looks like they need replaced soon, its a more dificult job that would be better left to a machine shop although it can be done at home.

The PO really shouldnt have gone so low on the adjuster alone, a better idea would be raise it slightly and get some dropped spindles, its expensive but worth it and at least the ride wont be so harsh. You should start by getting some decent shocks as described above, and possibly another adjuster for the bottom beam if there isnt one. with the setup you have only one of the torsion springs are taking all the preload and this will make for a bouncier ride as they are fighting against each other.

the adjuster is here...


check and see if there is another adjuster on the bottom bar in the same place but i dont think there is. It looks like you have some leeway to raise the bus up a bit and get it off the balljoints.

 

[cunning plan]

That's bloody to low to be just dropped on adjusters.

It'll be sitting on the balljoints at that height which'll contribute to the bouncy ride. It's also be causing them undue stress...

You probably want KYB GR2 shocks from the rear of a beetle on there if you intend to keep it at that height. Also check your steering damper while you're under there, and chop off the bump stops.

8)

Yeah im not happy with undue stress on components, i like the lowish look but not at the scarafice of handling and safety!

KYB GR2 Shocks? Are they available to purchase from people like Cool Air etc? I was looking at those coil over springs...

The bump stops are already gone, it does indeed look like just a single adjuster. i assume you dont want to raise it? if your keeping it low then the replacement shocks are a good idea but i think you are at the limit of travel for your ball joints as mentioned and it looks like they need replaced soon, its a more dificult job that would be better left to a machine shop although it can be done at home.

The PO really shouldnt have gone so low on the adjuster alone, a better idea would be raise it slightly and get some dropped spindles, its expensive but worth it and at least the ride wont be so harsh. You should start by getting some decent shocks as described above, and possibly another adjuster for the bottom beam if there isnt one. with the setup you have only one of the torsion springs are taking all the preload and this will make for a bouncier ride as they are fighting against each other.

the adjuster is here...


check and see if there is another adjuster on the bottom bar in the same place but i dont think there is. It looks like you have some leeway to raise the bus up a bit and get it off the balljoints.

I hate working on a vehicle where you dont know what has been done to it.. Right, well the ride at the moment is not acceptable so it has to be sorted.. Like I said I do like the lowered look but if its causing extra stress on the components then raising it and inch or so would be worthet..

Questions :?:

If I did raise it, is the rear easy to raise aswell?

Why are the ball joints a machine shop job? (Sorry total n00b)

What is the adjuster / what does it do? Where do I put a new one? (sorry again lol)

Soo, right now, if i replace the shocks with good ones intended for lowered heights, would that help? If so whats your (or anyones) suggestion?

I will take some better pictures tonight so you guys can confirm what the setup is..