[73 bug restoration]

Afternoon all…hope everyone’s had a good festive season…
Has anyone seen this style of beam adjuster before? It appears to only have 2 settings???
is it set at its lowest setting?
Any info would be appreciated

 

[Beetlebank]

Actually four height settings I believe, as from memory the two holes (one visible) are not equidistant from the ends of the small curved plate, which can be removed and inverted to give two more settings - a kind of vernier effect as it were.

 

[73 bug restoration]

HNY….and thanks for the info, makes sense. To adjust the height, would it be a case of taking the weight off the vehicle, undoing the bolts, turn the plates and reinstall the bolts.
I can’t understand what would be the highest and lowest setting though.
cheers

 

[Bada Ben]

I can’t understand what would be the highest and lowest setting though.

The 'Higher' the central bolt position = the higher the car will sit on it's wheels. It appears to be on a fairly High setting at the moment.
To reset the height, try doing it in increments to get a 'feel' for how it works
I'd start by just changing the bolt position into the other hole, and if it needs lowering further, flip the plate and try again.

 

[73 bug restoration]

The 'Higher' the central bolt position = the higher the car will sit on it's wheels. It appears to be on a fairly High setting at the moment.
To reset the height, try doing it in increments to get a 'feel' for how it works
I'd start by just changing the bolt position into the other hole, and if it needs lowering further, flip the plate and try again.

Thanks for your reply, it makes perfect sense. As soon as this man flu has shifted, I will get out there and mess about with it to learn how it works!

 

[Beetlebank]

Thanks for your reply, it makes perfect sense. As soon as this man flu has shifted, I will get out there and mess about with it to learn how it works!

Man flu? Jeez, that's any bloke out of action for at least a month...

 

[GARRICK.CLARK]

You might need a portable gas torch to warm it up to loosen it off. A tap with a small hammer once the bolt is undone aswell.

 

[73 bug restoration]

The 'Higher' the central bolt position = the higher the car will sit on it's wheels. It appears to be on a fairly High setting at the moment.
To reset the height, try doing it in increments to get a 'feel' for how it works
I'd start by just changing the bolt position into the other hole, and if it needs lowering further, flip the plate and try again.

Man flu has passed 😃
I’ve been out under the van today and I’m struggling to understand the setup on this beam. How do I adjust it? Photos attached.
does it look how you’d expect it to look? I appreciate any help or info offered 👍

 

[Bada Ben]

The bolt doesn't adjust anything, ride height is determined by the position of the curved plate which fits into the rectangular slot. After removing the plate, you have to manually move the trailing arms to the position/height you want, then install the plate so one of the holes lines-up with the threaded hole inside the beam, (which is over the dimple in the torsion bar), then fit the bolt to hold it all in that position.

 

[73 bug restoration]

The bolt doesn't adjust anything, ride height is determined by the position of the curved plate which fits into the rectangular slot. After removing the plate, you have to manually move the trailing arms to the position/height you want, then install the plate so one of the holes lines-up with the threaded hole inside the beam, (which is over the dimple in the torsion bar), then fit the bolt to hold it all in that position.

Ah..I see. So lifting the trailing arms up will lower the van I assume?? By lifting the arms, will the threaded hole in the beam move up along with the dimple in the leaves?
cheers for the help, I will hopefully get time to adjust tomorrow 👍

 

[GARRICK.CLARK]

The leaves will rotate anti clockwise and the hole will be at the bottom of the slot.

 

[73 bug restoration]

The leaves will rotate anti clockwise and the hole will be at the bottom of the slot.

Anti clockwise…..cheers for this. I can see an issue with the top bolt being in contact with the gear linkage rod 🤔

 

[Bada Ben]

Yeah, if you've not done one before, it can take a bit of experimentation to get your head around the way the geometry works.
If you set the threaded hole right at the bottom of the slot, the van will stand very low, (maybe too low) which can cause steering issues.
If, at the lowest setting, the top bolt touches the gear change rod, and you want to run it that low, you may have to get a shorter bolt, one without a head, which can be tightened with an Allen key.
Measure the threaded part of your existing bolt, it only needs to be long enough to take a locknut.
The stock bolt may be too short : Threaded Pin for Torsion Bar Leaves: 111411151 | Heritage Parts Centre UK
A slightly longer bolt designed for use with adjusters may be better : Front Beam Adjuster Replacement Stud: AC401200 | Heritage Parts Centre UK
Have fun