Procedures for lowering rear.

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by grub, Jan 17, 2018.

  1. Hi all.
    I have a 73 late bay & just about to drop the rear 1 spline to match the front dropped spindles.
    Do i need to take the brake drum off?
    I was hoping to slide the rear hub backwards off the spring plates?
    Can i just undo the handbrake cable at the handbrake lever and will the hub then move backwards exposing the inner cable but the out cable stay in place. Hope that makes sense.
    Any advice greatfully received.
    Thanx.
     
  2. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

    I removed the drum. I think I disconnected the handbrake cable at the front then from the backplate. It’s simple enough once you look at it but if all else fails RTFM.:)
    Don’t forget to cut off one of the bump stop lumps – if you need to cut more than one it’s too low, IMO of course. And if you go too low you won't get the wheel on but you'll find that out.
    And mind your fingers when you prise the spring plate off – you’ll find that out too.
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2018
  3. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Yes take the drum off, release the cable then the hub carrier can swing out of the way of the spring plate. I did it without pulling the brake cable out but it was not a good experience involving forcing things that should not be..

    Remember to support the hub carrier and hub assembly as you do not want to pop the ball bearings out of the CV joints by dropping the whole lot on the floor, as then there will be a lot more work.
    However undoing the bolts holding the hub carrier to the spring plate may need a rattle gun. Mine did.
    Use a hydraulic jack to release the spring plate from the lower stop.

    Dont just drop it 'one spline' . Measure how much each side needs to drop - it may not be symmetrical so you may have to use the rotating torsion bars as well as a simple single outer spline technique. Go and read it up.

    And while you are there replace the donuts at the end of the torsion bar, lubricated with talc.
    And use a couple of longer M10 bolts to help starting doing up the cover on the torsion bar end.
     
    Flakey likes this.
  4. Many thanks guys...and very informative Mike.
    I had a quick look today..i was hoping to do it without having to take the drum off as (1) hear all the horror stories about having to use scaffolding bars to get the hub nut off and (2) i need to get the father-in-law's torque wrench as mine doesn't go high enough!
    I could not budge one of the bolts holding the hub assembly on even using a 3/4 inch drive breaker bar with some metal tubing over the end to increase the leverage!
    Measured the bus & it is exactly the same height both sides so 1 outer each side should be ok.
    Do you have to remove the handbrake cable at the handbrake lever end as well?
     
  5. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

    Sorry I wasn’t very informative.:(
    Just remove the wheel and pull the drum off, no need to remove the hub. Back off the shoes first of course and there may be a couple of small bolts on the drum.
    You really do need a manual.:thumbsup:
     
  6. What..just held on by the little screw?
    Thanks...and..doh!
    I do have a manual but it's out on (permanent) loan!
    Think i need to buy another one.
     
  7. PIE

    PIE

    And the wheel nuts
     
  8. PIE

    PIE

    Nothng I like better than working on gravel!
     
    pkrboo likes this.
  9. Yeah! And the nuts.
    Anybody know the whereabouts og Arnold Schwarzenegger. .he may be able to get my 4th bolt off!
     
  10. PIE

    PIE

    Long breaker bar and a jack
     
  11. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

    I noticed you said bolt, not nut.:D
     
  12. Yeah...aren't the front 2 bolts that go through the a arm through the spring plate through the hub carrier with nuts in...but then the rear 2 bolts which go through the a arm through the spring pkate but then screw into a captive thread in the hub carrier?
    This is from memory.
     
  13. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

    Sorry, again, I thought you meant it was a wheel nut you couldn’t remove.
     
  14. Sorry buddy..i meant one of the bolts holding the hub carrier not a wheel nut.
     
  15. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

    Can you get a spanner on it and a jack under the spanner?
     
  16. Yeah..think i may be able to get the wrench in but my trolley jack broke on me...not had a good day!
     
  17. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Wheel nut - a 3/4 inch drive breaker bar and 8 feet of tubing and 15 stone jumping on the end. Nearly twisted the end off the breaker bar. Had to wedge the wheel to stop it rolling forward.. wedge an axle stand under the wheel ... . can only do it pressing down or the wheel will lift up and skid.
    The Muir Keep Your VW alive book suggests driving the nut round with a cold chisel and a big hammer.
    Others suggest goint to a truck tyre place. And ask for it only to be done up to 250 ft lb after..

    These days I do it up by cheapo £70 Clarke mains electric rattle gun and undo by a bit of jumpimg on the (untwisted) breaker bar.
     
  18. I did mine with a 240 volt Clarke rattle gun
    Very handy thing to have
     
    mikedjames likes this.

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