Lowering a type III
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calooker
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Lowering a type III
Has anyone outhere ever lowered a type III need some advice, have read a bit on the Samba website but a lot of conflicting info, any info will help, thanks
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IMPI
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Hi I normally only lower the front as the rear sags with time
Here goes the front
1 lift the front and support securely
2 remove shock absorbers
3 remove hub assemblys by using the big nuts on top of the ball joints i do it this way to ensure that the alignment settings are not lost as the ball joints are on an eccentric shaft.
4remove the bolt holding the trailing arm in position as well as the little 'ear shaped plate thet is just above it
as you clean this area you will notice the splines I normally mark them with tipp exx or similar.
5 I then move the arm about 2 splines Max is 4 splines otherwise the ball joints may bind and be destroyed.
I also cut off the bump stop arm and plate the resultun hole I cut just beyond the bumpstops.
6 As you lose the bumpstops I insert rubber bumpstops inside the shock absorber to take over. I do this by cutting about 50mm of the outer dust shield with the shock fullextended i insert rubber discs into the dust cover area until i have about 50mm of bumpstop.
reassemble and dont forget the ear shaped piece as it holds the opposing torsion bar.
I have fond that with 2 splines and 14 '' wheels the front suspension mounts will touch the ground and therfore i box them for strength.
The Variant also has a thicker anti roll bar and using one is of some value.
Armand
Here goes the front
1 lift the front and support securely
2 remove shock absorbers
3 remove hub assemblys by using the big nuts on top of the ball joints i do it this way to ensure that the alignment settings are not lost as the ball joints are on an eccentric shaft.
4remove the bolt holding the trailing arm in position as well as the little 'ear shaped plate thet is just above it
as you clean this area you will notice the splines I normally mark them with tipp exx or similar.
5 I then move the arm about 2 splines Max is 4 splines otherwise the ball joints may bind and be destroyed.
I also cut off the bump stop arm and plate the resultun hole I cut just beyond the bumpstops.
6 As you lose the bumpstops I insert rubber bumpstops inside the shock absorber to take over. I do this by cutting about 50mm of the outer dust shield with the shock fullextended i insert rubber discs into the dust cover area until i have about 50mm of bumpstop.
reassemble and dont forget the ear shaped piece as it holds the opposing torsion bar.
I have fond that with 2 splines and 14 '' wheels the front suspension mounts will touch the ground and therfore i box them for strength.
The Variant also has a thicker anti roll bar and using one is of some value.
Armand
Who cares how it's done in California?
(018) 473-0186
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calooker
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Hey IMPI, thanks man, great info. I have a few areas I need to clarify, with the 2 spline drop, how much does the car drop? I was thinking of going 3 splines in the front and one spline on the rear outer (have done this on a beetle before I think it will be the same for my notch /---\ ). Secondly will I only need to turn the lower splines and leave the traling arm untouched at the upper beam? will the standard shocks be ok with a 3 spline drop?
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IMPI
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- What model do you have?: sp2
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I have done the drops a long time ago but 75mm for 3 splines spring to mind will get back on that one as I am doing the fastback sometime in the next two weeks
The upper beam needs no work in the lowering dept as it houses the anti roll bar for an easy handling upgrade fit a station wagon anti roll bar as it is thicker. Be sure to check if yo cannot move the upper trailing arms in and out when the hubs are disconnected there should be very little to no sideplay as it stuffs up the handling it is adjustable though so play can be minimised. the std shocks can handle 3 splines but shorter shocks are to be found I think Cortina shocks can be used but it is a long time ago I remember having to remove one of the bolt bushes.
Armand
The upper beam needs no work in the lowering dept as it houses the anti roll bar for an easy handling upgrade fit a station wagon anti roll bar as it is thicker. Be sure to check if yo cannot move the upper trailing arms in and out when the hubs are disconnected there should be very little to no sideplay as it stuffs up the handling it is adjustable though so play can be minimised. the std shocks can handle 3 splines but shorter shocks are to be found I think Cortina shocks can be used but it is a long time ago I remember having to remove one of the bolt bushes.
Armand
Who cares how it's done in California?
(018) 473-0186