Rear suspension adjust

Give details and pictures of your ACVW projects here.
User avatar
Loopy
Oil Cooler
Posts: 318
Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2009 8:15 pm
What model do you have?: Beach Buggy
Location: Brackenfell, Western Cape
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 6 times

Rear suspension adjust

Post by Loopy »

I have been dithering for quite a while about the rear suspension of my beach buggy, as it did not "feel" right, and the stance of the buggy was a bit lopsided. So after reading up on the subject, and watching a couple of Youtube videos, I decided to do the right thing, and get things level.

Bought a set of bushes at FFR, and a pair of powdercoated spring plates, thinking that it might be a good idea to put them on while everything was in pieces. I was a bit hesitant to do this on my own, so asked HR for assistance, which he graciously agreed to. So the idea is to do this on Saturday morning, but being pro-active, I thought I could save some time by getting things started tonight (Friday).

So the buggy is in the garage, secure on axle stands, and everything starts coming off quite easily.

Image

Most of the bolts need to be cleaned on a wirebrush, due to rubberising coating and gunk, but that will be done tomorrow.

The main issue that I had with the suspension, was that it always felt softer on the one side (left) than on the other. I started on the left hand side, and used a trolley jack to lift the spring plate over the stop. To be honest, I was sh1tscared that the springplate was going to come flying off, luckily nothing of the sort happened. With the springplate (and me...) now in a relaxed state, I measured the angle, and got +/- 10 degrees.

Image

Started stripping the right hand side, this time the springplate needed a bit more persuasion to clear the stop. Measuring the angle, I got +/- 22 degrees!

Image

No wonder the ride was a bit wonkey, and the stance a bit skew! Funny thing is, I've had the buggy's rear suspension set by two places over the last two years, amongst other things that needed to be done as well. Just makes me wonder what else was also so accurately and expertly "fixed"....

So tomorrow will be the re-assembly and adjusting phase, will update then.


"What I would suggest is that you draw up a project plan and then prioritise the things you NEED to do linked to the budget you have." by Vader
Truer words have never been spoken...
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14992
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by Tony Z »

nice one!
Looks like you are finally making some progress....
I am still waiting for my update ;-)
User avatar
hitlers revenge
ACVWSA Junkie
Posts: 6486
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:38 pm
What model do you have?: buggy
Location: back in the 'Fell
Been thanked: 36 times
Great Britain

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by hitlers revenge »

Just back from Loopy's garage with spring plates replaced and in position.

Although I am only 99.5% happy. Really struggled with the urethane bushes.

See my post in Advice.

We really struggled to get the spring plates back onto the foot rests again.
Why do we celebrate the guy that invented the wheel??
Surely we must celebrate the guy tat invented the other three
User avatar
retrovan
Donor
Donor
Posts: 8709
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:51 pm
What model do you have?: 52T1,68FB,72Bay,75FL
Location: Eich! no, in Jefferys Bay
Has thanked: 421 times
Been thanked: 539 times
Contact:
Netherlands

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by retrovan »

Great you got it in.

What I have found, with rubber as well as urethane bushes, is to use a heavy dose of baby powder on the bushes, some guys use grease or oil, but I do not beleive in using grease or oil on rubber or spring blades.

It help to slide into place, and then it dissipates.

Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
User avatar
Loopy
Oil Cooler
Posts: 318
Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2009 8:15 pm
What model do you have?: Beach Buggy
Location: Brackenfell, Western Cape
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 6 times

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by Loopy »

The spring plate angle at the moment is about 21*, and it seems as if it might a bit too much, stock being around 17*. Wheels have a lot of positive camber at the moment.

We had to play around with the settings on the one side to get both to the same angle, now it seems that I might have to lower both sides by one spline on the outside, which will bring it to about 13*, hopefully.

I found the following on the Meyers Manx site about the urethane bushings: "Be sure to sand the spline housing smooth before replacing the bushings. You may need to grind a little off the corners of the nylon bushings to get them to fit into their housings."
"What I would suggest is that you draw up a project plan and then prioritise the things you NEED to do linked to the budget you have." by Vader
Truer words have never been spoken...
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14992
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by Tony Z »

Here you go Robert. Hopefully this will help
lowering rear suspension height guide.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
Loopy
Oil Cooler
Posts: 318
Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2009 8:15 pm
What model do you have?: Beach Buggy
Location: Brackenfell, Western Cape
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 6 times

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by Loopy »

Thanks! :hangloose:

Saved and printed.
"What I would suggest is that you draw up a project plan and then prioritise the things you NEED to do linked to the budget you have." by Vader
Truer words have never been spoken...
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14992
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by Tony Z »

I suppose it would have helped you more if I remembered it a few weeks ago...
User avatar
hitlers revenge
ACVWSA Junkie
Posts: 6486
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:38 pm
What model do you have?: buggy
Location: back in the 'Fell
Been thanked: 36 times
Great Britain

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by hitlers revenge »

Image

My mind is now turning about this...

This is 20 degrees to what???

By the way I spoke to Beamish Buggys and they say the never change the angle of the spring plates when converting a beetle to a buggy.
Why do we celebrate the guy that invented the wheel??
Surely we must celebrate the guy tat invented the other three
User avatar
hitlers revenge
ACVWSA Junkie
Posts: 6486
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:38 pm
What model do you have?: buggy
Location: back in the 'Fell
Been thanked: 36 times
Great Britain

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by hitlers revenge »

OK so the job is done.

I was happy. I cannot tell about Loopy as his facial expression never changes whether he's :D or :(

He seemed happy. We also called in some expert advice to assist with the spring plates. Now they are both set at 16 degrees and the buggy is level.


Image
Why do we celebrate the guy that invented the wheel??
Surely we must celebrate the guy tat invented the other three
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14992
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by Tony Z »

congratulations!
I am sure he is happy, hopefully he will now start driving the buggy.
User avatar
hitlers revenge
ACVWSA Junkie
Posts: 6486
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:38 pm
What model do you have?: buggy
Location: back in the 'Fell
Been thanked: 36 times
Great Britain

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by hitlers revenge »

Tony, he drove it twice today since doing the motor and his facial expression did change then :D

In fact he seemed over the moon with the power output.
Why do we celebrate the guy that invented the wheel??
Surely we must celebrate the guy tat invented the other three
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14992
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by Tony Z »

glad to hear it!
User avatar
Loopy
Oil Cooler
Posts: 318
Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2009 8:15 pm
What model do you have?: Beach Buggy
Location: Brackenfell, Western Cape
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 6 times

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by Loopy »

Seems I should have been a poker player....

Tony, the motor nearly blew my mind! Felt as if the buggy wanted to do a wheely in first gear, and it wasn't as if I was trying... Taking it for a longer drive tomorrow, but very happy with it!
"What I would suggest is that you draw up a project plan and then prioritise the things you NEED to do linked to the budget you have." by Vader
Truer words have never been spoken...
User avatar
Tony Z
Donor
Donor
Posts: 14992
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
Has thanked: 191 times
Been thanked: 487 times
South Africa

Re: Rear suspension adjust

Post by Tony Z »

Loopy wrote: Tony, the motor nearly blew my mind! Felt as if the buggy wanted to do a wheely in first gear, and it wasn't as if I was trying... Taking it for a longer drive tomorrow, but very happy with it!
Now that sounds like a happy customer :hangloose:

Glad to help
Post Reply