Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 11:28:47 -0700
Reply-To: Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: [Syncro] All Aftermarket Springs Sagg Lower Over Time,
Germans Find
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I have had my Betts fronts in for almost a year now and I can say that I
HAVE NOT experienced much sag. Compared to the Marshall springs that I
tried it is almost nothing. The Marshall springs sagged at least 3 times
as much in 1/10 the distance or at a rate of about 30 times that of the
quality Betts springs I replaced them with. (These are ride height
figures.)
Marshall spring sag = 3/4" in a single 1000 mile loaded Baja trip
Betts spring sag = 1/4" after 5~ 1000-1500 mile loaded Baja trips and 4~
800 mile Calif trips.
The fact that some crappy European springs are also available proves
little. The OEM supplier for VW does not employ magic to get long life
out of the stock springs. After market springs can be made by the same
processes as the OEM and the ones that are should give a similar long
life.
I am not surprised by the German experiences as when I was leading the
Betts project I heard from dozens of Europeans who wanted to get in on
the group purchase. Only Per in Norway managed to talk me into it.
Mark Drillock
Derek Drew wrote:
>
>
>
> [eGroups] My Groups | Syncro Main Page | Start a new
> group!
>
> Another killer message from Axel.
>
> Asked about Springs, he says the Europeans used to make special syncro
> springs but that they stopped doing this because after one trip or one
> year the springs would start to decay. As a result, the Europeans
> found that the only two springs worth having were either the factory
> Springs or the Seikel springs. As he says, "All other, we tested are
> more or less for one journey or for one year."
>
> But Axel admits the Seikel springs were too hard for many users.
>
> So the common solution in Europe, he says, is to use the factory
> springs with spacers under them!!
>
> Drawing inferences from this stunning email, one can draw some
> observations:
>
> 1. If David Marshall springs do indeed sag over time, this is entirely
> normal experience for the Europeans too. In a way, this lets David out
> of the dog house. Who could have predicted this problem?
>
> 2. It would make sense to begin measuring Betts springs installations
> now so any extent of sagging is documented over time. If the Betts
> springs escape the syndrome, then we can make Steve the Worldwide
> producer of the only aftermarket non-sagging spring! Are you ready to
> ship to Europe, Steve?
>
> 3. Axel tries to scare us into raising our vans no more than 3cm. I
> had earlier postulated 2.5cm as the target amount so there is some
> correlation here.
>
> All sagg together now...
>
> > From: (Axel Elsner)
> > To: "Derek Drew" <derekdrew@rcn.com>
> > Subject: AW: Bernd Jaeger gearwheels
> > Derek,
> > None of the Americans want the Seikel springs, saying they are too
> > hard, so they have manufactured other springs that are not so stiff,
> > but that are stiffer than the factory springs.
> > Axel:
> > Yes, I agree, the Seikel are only used now, if it comes to single or
> > crew cabs with camping cabins etc. and the wight of the vehicle is
> > 3200 kg or more. Please find attached a picture with me and a friend
> > of mine with such a Seikel cab (3350 kg in sumary).
> > But the Seikels have a great benefit: They keep their parameters for
> > a long time. All other, we tested are more or less for one journey
> > or for one year. Thats the reason, we normaly keep the original
> > springs and add some distance disks under the springs. And please,
> > never forget: If you make the springs longer then 3 cm against the
> > original the problems with the cv-joints and special with the boots
> > are increasing dramaticaly. if you don`t want higher then those 3
> > cm, you don`t need other springs.
> >
> > best regards
> >
> > Axel
> >
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