Date:         Fri, 5 Jan 2001 18:22:20 -0500
Reply-To:     Gary Stearns <gstearns@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gary Stearns <gstearns@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Swaybars-worth it(rear)?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

ADDCO makes bars for the Vanagon. http://www.addco.net/.   You should
exercise a little caution if you do this though.  If you've ever heard of
the dreaded "Porsche 911 drop throttle oversteer", you should  realize that
you'll be moving your Vanagon slightly in that direction.  For experienced
drivers this can be a fast and fun way to get through corners, for less
experienced drivers it can scare the bejeezus out of you or worse.  The
Vanagon, like the 911 has a significant rearward weight bias. As you round a
corner or execute an emergency maneuver the weight of the engine attempts to
move that end of the vehicle to the outside of the corner.  This is a
significant reason why Vanagons require very high tire pressure in the rear.
VW is rightfully concerned about the vehicle going off the road backwards as
many 911's have done.  The "drop throttle" part refers to a drivers panic
reaction when he or she discovers that a corner is much sharper than they
thought.  Abruptly lift off the throttle, transfer weight from the rear to
the front causing the rear tires to break loose... what kids refer to as a
"fishtail".   When you add a rear anti-sway bar, you are moving the "roll
couple" or roll resistance more to the rear of the vehicle.  This means that
the rear of your Vanagon is now doing more of the work in holding the van to
the road as you round the corner.  This is why anti roll bars are more
fun...right to the point where the tires let go.  Since you are asking the
question, it says to me that you have an interest in this and may know all
about this stuff.  Don't let this talk you out of it, just know that it will
change the dynamics of your Vanagon.  Don't go burning too fast into a tight
corner (in a Vanagon? You crazy man?) get spooked and lift off the throttle.
Or if you do, be prepared to watch where you are going through the side
window!

Gary

----- Original Message -----
From: "phil stanhope" <swellmaster@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, January 05, 2001 4:10 PM
Subject: Re: Swaybars-worth it(rear)?


> I think i should have asked about REAR sway bars becouse vanagons come
stock
> with front sway bars, but none on the rear.
>
> So does anyone use the aftermarket REAR bars like "Sway-away" ?
>
>
>
>
> >From: CTONLINE@webtv.net
> >To: swellmaster@HOTMAIL.COM (phil stanhope)
> >CC: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: Re: Swaybars-worth it?
> >Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 10:53:33 -0600 (CST)
> >
> >If you don't want to sway---use the bars!:>)
> >
> >   ______________
> >  |[  ] [  ] [ ]\
> >  |    |    |    |
> >||-(())----(())-|
> >
> >Terry 85 GL
> >
> ><< Message3.txt >>
>
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