Date:         Sat, 4 Aug 2001 17:52:50 -0700
Reply-To:     Leon Korkin <korkwood@SURFREE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Leon Korkin <korkwood@SURFREE.COM>
Subject:      suspension
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Well,
After replacing all bushings in front suspension(except lower arm
bushing, will have to find some shop to do it) i finaly got my Westy on
the road.
I did it in 2 stages, first stage upper arm and brand new shocks. Didn't
make a bit of diffrence.
Later i did 2 nd stage and replaced the rest of bushings. Earlier i
posted message asking listees who replaced bushings on their Vanagons
to relate their experience with this problem but didn't get any replys.
I would have a month-long discussion if i asked about shocks and merits
of Bilsteins vs KYB vs X brand etc.
Trying to find VW mechanic knowing front suspension here in LA was like
looking for tropical forest in Death Valley
I managed to solve the problem but not completely. I still have to take
Westy to welding shop to shrink the enlarged holes to original size.
When i drove Westy today i can say new bushings made HUGE DIFFRENCE!
So much for discussing the shocks. By now the "youngest" Vanagons are 10
years old and all rubber bushings are worn out. Check yours BEFORE you
shell out big bucks on
Billsteins trying to improve the ride. If you see fethered or cracking
edges on bushings they are gone! Rubber doesn't last that long.
Leon
85 Subwagen Westy
No longer pushed around by slightest wind....