AirSpeed VW Community Forums

Specialty Forums => Bay- curios? => Topic started by: vw33 on May 02, 2016, 10:14:01 PM

Title: Lowering the rear of a late bus.
Post by: vw33 on May 02, 2016, 10:14:01 PM
Hello I am having some trouble with lowering the rear of my late bus I have built 4.25 drop plates out of 1/2 inch plate steel and had them professionally welded. This has moved the rear wheels in a 1/2 inch on each side. Now it looks like my axles are too long I can barely get them in. There is no side to side play at all. Do I need to cut a 1/2 inch out of my axles ? . Any help would be great.  Thanks
Title: Re: Lowering the rear of a late bus.
Post by: Chris on May 03, 2016, 07:51:16 AM
Can you post some pics of your setup?
Title: Re: Lowering the rear of a late bus.
Post by: westcoast-paul on May 04, 2016, 11:48:22 AM
just pull the CV joint out - no need to cut out 1/2 of your axle.

why didnt you get them welded offset like the WW horseshoe plates?

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wagenswest.com%2Fpartstore%2Fmedia%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct%2Fcache%2F1%2Fimage%2F4db3a4752889270676cc18136382ad4a%2Fh%2Fo%2Fhorse-shoe-plates_1.jpg&hash=bda59e4ee5a4321a58d9b1ac440184c54ce93563)

also - what size tires do you have on what O/S wheels?  there isnt a lot of room under the bay wheel well - so your offset is key.
Title: Re: Lowering the rear of a late bus.
Post by: vw33 on May 04, 2016, 06:40:26 PM
Here is a pic of the rear plates I made. Thanks west coast Paul for the pic. And you are correct the rim offset is critical. And that's where I got screwed. Iam running porshe replica rims from Cip and a 185 65 r15.
Title: Re: Lowering the rear of a late bus.
Post by: vw33 on May 04, 2016, 08:03:32 PM
Here is a pic of the axle.
Title: Re: Lowering the rear of a late bus.
Post by: westcoast-paul on May 05, 2016, 09:40:18 AM
i can't tell from those pictures.  are the drop plates offset?  do you have a pic of them not installed?

either way - i cant see how youd have an issue witht eh axle length. 

scenerio #1: not offset - your axle (CV's) would need to be stretched the thickness of the metal (1/2")
scenerio #2: offset thickness of the metal (1/2") - your axle (CV's) would be exactly the same as stock length
scenerio #3: offset more than the thickness of the metal (1/2") - your axle (CV's) need to be compressed the offset amount. 

There is quite a bit of room in CV's.  think offroad guys with 13" travel in the rear trailing arms.

i cannot see a scenario that you are not fine.  :13:
Title: Re: Lowering the rear of a late bus.
Post by: westcoast-paul on May 05, 2016, 09:41:14 AM
and isnt that engine cradle from an early bay?  or is this a late split?
Title: Re: Lowering the rear of a late bus.
Post by: vw33 on May 05, 2016, 09:32:20 PM
Yes cenario #2. I made 3 pieces of 1/2 inch plate steel. Stacked them and drill them just like the ones from wagens west.  Then had them professionally welded together.  This has narrowed the rear track by 1/2 on both sides. Now I have the room to get the wheels inside the wheel well with a little room. By moving the hub assembly in 1/2 inch and upward by 4.5 inches this has left me with axles that are too long. . Thanks for your help .