Date:         Mon, 13 Mar 2000 21:03:35 -0500
Reply-To:     McComas_Glenn <mccomas@SHORE.INTERCOM.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         McComas_Glenn <mccomas@SHORE.INTERCOM.NET>
Subject:      New shocks problem
Comments: To: alain@INTERGATE.BC.CA

Alain Thibault <alain@INTERGATE.BC.CA> wrote:

...just had some new KYB shocks installed...  At the back it seems
ok but the front wheels drive very rough...like if there were no
shocks.
My old ones (10 YEARS OLD) were doing better. It's particularly noisy
(bang type of noise) on bumpy road as the wheels do not seem to absorb
the bumps.......

Alain -- How much confidence do you have in the people who installed
your shocks?

As they come out of the box, they are not ready for installation on a
vehicle.  The lower end of each shock should be clamped in a vise, and
the upper repeatedly lifted and depressed until the action is smooth.
[Builds up the shoulder muscles.]  If this was not done, it would
account for the roughness that you feel.

I would not drive with them for very far, since it's possible to break
the welds at the ends, where the mounting fittings are located.  But
they should go directly back to the installer.

Glenn
   Queenstown, Maryland