Date:         Tue, 9 Apr 2002 09:35:24 -0500
Reply-To:     Chris Stann <ChrisS@INFORMS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Stann <ChrisS@INFORMS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Benefits of a rear sway bar?
Comments: To: Gary Stearns <gstearns@OPTONLINE.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <002901c1dfc4$ad2a5020$0100a8c0@home>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

>One caution though; from the factory VW set up the Vanagon with a lot of
>understeer for safety reasons. With the engine in the rear, a shift of the
>roll-couple to the rear can create a situation where the van tries to
>spin-out at the worst possible time (in a fast corner, realize you're going
>too fast, take your foot off the gas...there she goes, your in the trees
>butt first)

Sorry, I had to butt in.

The Vanagon has its weight more or less equally distributed on front and
rear axles, with the passenger Vanagon actually carrying more weight over
the front axles.  It's not a Porsche 911 with sudden and scary throttle-off
oversteer.  Granted, adding a rear anti-sway bar will reduce understeer, but
not to the extreme you have indicated.


Chris,

'85 Westy