T2 Geometry

[KevinR]

Hello, after having several tyre shops check or 1971 T2 geometry it would appear they are only really interested in adjusting toe in. I now have a second pair of front tyres that have scrubbed off their outside edges all within a couple of thousand miles each. I really want to find a propers specialist that can do a full geometry set up for me, can anyone recommend someone who can do this properly, we are in Surrey but am happy to travel to get the right job done, fed up with buying tyres!

Thanks.

 

[sparkywig]

I don't know of anybody in your area, but you might want to print this off and take it with you.

 

[ozziedog]

Hello, after having several tyre shops check or 1971 T2 geometry it would appear they are only really interested in adjusting toe in. I now have a second pair of front tyres that have scrubbed off their outside edges all within a couple of thousand miles each. I really want to find a propers specialist that can do a full geometry set up for me, can anyone recommend someone who can do this properly, we are in Surrey but am happy to travel to get the right job done, fed up with buying tyres!

Thanks.

Tell us a little more about your setup bud. There aren’t really many that even know about the stock set up on these let alone a modified set up. Graham L is up in the top of the country somewhere and he’s possibly one of the greatest authorities on lowered vans around. There’s more around the country but we’ll have to get a local person to you to recommend an expert in your neck of the woods. Unfortunately I’m in Bristol near Sparky Wig and know absolutely nothing about Surrey apart from it starts with ‘S’.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,, Tell us how you got to this point

 

[Clem]

Maybe contact Auto Techniks in Surrey and see what they say.

Not much you can do with the rear end other than make sure its all tight and in place.

Front end is camber and toe in, its a case of finding some one who knows what do do and is willing to do it. Obvious ostrich I know, but as I have discovered, its a challenge!

 

[KevinR]

Maybe contact Auto Techniks in Surrey and see what they say.

Not much you can do with the rear end other than make sure its all tight and in place.

Front end is camber and toe in, its a case of finding some one who knows what do do and is willing to do it. Obvious ostrich I know, but as I have discovered, its a challenge!

Hello, thanks for the contact, I have had a good conversation with Mark at Autotecniks this morning and he can set her up the old school way and thinks he knows what our problem could be that is not allowing us to adjust her to zero camber. I am feeling confident having spoken to him that he can sort out our issue and I can stop buying tyres on subscription! He is also only 20 mins from us so a good contact, only problem is we have to wait until the 9th September to get her to him, but worth the wait if he can sort her out, thank you very much - will report back.

 

[KevinR]

Ok, firstly I would highly recommend Mark at Auto Techniks in Banstead, Surrey - When I arrived he spent time with me going through the bus whilst on the ramp and quickly demonstrated that the bushes in the front beam were shot. This was causing movement in the front wheels and hubs with the whole assembly moving backwards from the end of the beam when the wheels were spun by hand and the brake pedal pulled. As a result the geometry was constantly moving and this was undoubtedly causing our front tyre wear. Unfortunately the Transporterhaus beam that was fitted in 2021 uses non standard bush sizes and as they have now closed down, these bushes are not available and even if they were they were of low quality so, if they could have been changed, would probably only do the same again down the road. The solution was to fit another new beam, this one a Preservation Parts adjustable front beam which uses OEM sized bushes to ensure we are not put in this position in the future. As this was underway Mark also discovered that our rear spring arms which were lowered one spline at the same time back in 2021 resulted in the rear end running effectively just on it’s cut down bump stops instead of benefitting from the brand new Type 2 Detective Bilstein shocks which were fitted earlier this year. Mark suggested replacing the spring arms with new adjustable ones to allow the spline to be returned to the stock position. This enabled a modest height drop through the adjusters whilst reinstating suspension travel. He was then able to set up and balance the ride height all round and then fully adjust the geometry with all the old school Dunlop rods and gauges he has. On collection today Mark showed and explained carefully all the work that had been carried out and we took her for a short drive with him. The ride is transformed, much more sure footed and with a more compliant ride over bumps and dips. The steering is also much, much better, an improvement all round. Whilst I am confident this is the end of this recurring issue Mark asked us to bring the bus back when my wife returns from doing the North Coast 500 (she leaves tomorrow with our daughter) so he can recheck the geometry to ensure all is as it should be. Not cheap but experience never is, highly recommend Auto Techniks!

 

[ozziedog]

Ok, firstly I would highly recommend Mark at Auto Techniks in Banstead, Surrey - When I arrived he spent time with me going through the bus whilst on the ramp and quickly demonstrated that the bushes in the front beam were shot. This was causing movement in the front wheels and hubs with the whole assembly moving backwards from the end of the beam when the wheels were spun by hand and the brake pedal pulled. As a result the geometry was constantly moving and this was undoubtedly causing our front tyre wear. Unfortunately the Transporterhaus beam that was fitted in 2021 uses non standard bush sizes and as they have now closed down, these bushes are not available and even if they were they were of low quality so, if they could have been changed, would probably only do the same again down the road. The solution was to fit another new beam, this one a Preservation Parts adjustable front beam which uses OEM sized bushes to ensure we are not put in this position in the future. As this was underway Mark also discovered that our rear spring arms which were lowered one spline at the same time back in 2021 resulted in the rear end running effectively just on it’s cut down bump stops instead of benefitting from the brand new Type 2 Detective Bilstein shocks which were fitted earlier this year. Mark suggested replacing the spring arms with new adjustable ones to allow the spline to be returned to the stock position. This enabled a modest height drop through the adjusters whilst reinstating suspension travel. He was then able to set up and balance the ride height all round and then fully adjust the geometry with all the old school Dunlop rods and gauges he has. On collection today Mark showed and explained carefully all the work that had been carried out and we took her for a short drive with him. The ride is transformed, much more sure footed and with a more compliant ride over bumps and dips. The steering is also much, much better, an improvement all round. Whilst I am confident this is the end of this recurring issue Mark asked us to bring the bus back when my wife returns from doing the North Coast 500 (she leaves tomorrow with our daughter) so he can recheck the geometry to ensure all is as it should be. Not cheap but experience never is, highly recommend Auto Techniks!

Thank you so much for getting back to us as this may help others in time.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,cheers again bud

 

[KevinR]

Thank you so much for getting back to us as this may help others in time.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,cheers again bud

My wife and daughter just did the NC 500 plus a few places on the way, 2,450 miles with no signs of front tyre wear on return, previously it would have been very obvious over that distance, so looks like a fix.