Date:         Thu, 27 Jan 2000 14:42:57 -0800
Reply-To:     harald_nancy <harald_nancy@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         harald_nancy <harald_nancy@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: '90 Westfalia sagging suspension
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hi all,
My '90 westy did the same.
I think the later models with the lowered suspension
are more prone to the leaning, than the earlier westys.
Things I tried to straighten the van out, but to no avail:
1 Exchange the left rear coil spring with the right one.
   Surprisingly that hardly made any difference at all.
   Still leaning.
2 Installed rubber spring extenders between the coils
   on the left side. That did level the van, but also
   made the left spring much more firm than the right,
   which really messed up the ride.
3 New shocks made the van handle better, but it
   still was leaning to the left.
New springs are expensive. And even with new springs,
a westy will still lean to the left, if fully loaded.
Not a big deal, but can be annoying.
The solution:
All one has to do is install a 1/2" washer between the
the upper spring seat and the body, to raise the vanagon.
If you want to raise it more, install more washers.
Or to level the westy, just install one 1/2" washer on the
left. No drawbacks on the ride, and it's also easily reversible,
if you don't like it.
The washers or spacers cost me only a couple of dollars.
Harald
90 westy

Martin wrote:
> My bus has covered about 300,000km and is leaning to the left quite
> noticeably (viewed from the back)  I'm guessing that the springs on that
> side have sagged because all the weight is on that side,(propane tank,
waste
> water tank, water tank and all the cupboards - driver too!)  So I guess
it'd
> be wise to swap the springs out and while I'm at it I might as well do
the
> shocks.
>
> Here's where I'm looking for advice.  Can I get lower/ stiffer springs?
Can
> I get harder shocks?  I want to control body roll mainly but don't want a
> really harsh ride.
>
> Has anyone experience of this problem and a solution?  Any help would be
> appreciated
>
> Regards
> Martin Dell