Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2002 13:30:30 -0700
Reply-To: Todd Last <Rubatoguy@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Todd Last <Rubatoguy@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions about Vanagon springs
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
I think the sag is related to the weight distribution of the van and not
any defect in the springs. If you have unequal weight on springs of the
same rates, the deflections will be different. I suppose you could play
around with different length springs to even things out - but I would
think that this might introduce unwanted handling issues. Luckily, the
simple solution is to shim the left side rear, and perhaps front springs
until you are level.
I have the syncro.org springs on my '88 Westy and I had to add a 1/4"
spacer on the rear, and about the same on the front spring. Now all
corners are within 1/8". (With the stock tired springs I was about 1/2"
off at the right rear) I have always wondered if the Vanagon has
"sticky" suspension travel. I noticed that if I make a hard turn into a
parking space, the Van generally does not level out, but stays leaned
over in the direction of the turn. (I always bounce the van by pushing
up and down on the bumper before measuring.)
When I moved to the Syncro.org springs, I also upgraded from the KYB to
Bilsteins, and this too made a noticeable difference in ride. IMHO the
Bilsteins are more compliant with smaller bumps and stiffen up as you
hit the big ones, where the KYBs were fairly consistent in being stiff
all the time. I think the Bilsteins and the Syncro.org springs are a
great combination. That and the Michelin XCA 205/75R14 107 load rated
tires are a bullet-proof combination.
I've found that with the syncro.org springs, I can take bumps at speed
that would have previously caused the chin spoiler to scrape along the
pavement. So, all in all, I'm really happy with the springs.
Todd
'88 Westy
Jeffrey R wrote:
>Having just installed the Syncro.org springs in my 83.5 Westfalia I have a
>few questions.
>
>1. Why do they sag on the driver's side and is this a bad omen for the
>future? (I understand there is more weight on the drivers side--but my
>thought is a stronger spring would compensate-- I have a limited
>understanding of the situation and my guess is it's not that simple. Stronger
>spring must equal harder rider--right?) So...
>
>2. Then, as a follow up question about extra weight on one side: Do all
>vehicles sag on the driver's side, say if there's only the driver in the
>vehicle. Or do the springs and suspension compensate an keep the vehicle
>level?
>
>3. Would or did the stock Vanagon with the Westfalia full-camper package lean
>a 1/2 inch to the driver's side when it came off the lot? And if it didn't
>lean, if New stock VW springs were installed in my Westfalia would it sit
>level. (and then again would it still be level with only a driver in the bus?
>And if it did sit level how long before it didn't? My sagged when I bought it
>5 years ago. But I don;t know when the sag sarted.)
>
>4. What is the cost of stock springs from the VW dealer and what would be the
>cost with a list discount offered by heros like Rennie at Peyton Cramer VW in
>Torrance?
>
>In short, my bus is about 20 years old and the springs never performed great
>as far as crosswinds and passing 18-wheelers and the like. The 5 years or so
>I've had it it always swayed from side to side quite a bit in wind, when
>turning, and even when stopped in traffic to make a left turn while car
>whizzed by on the right- back and forth with each car that passed. It sagged
>to the left since I owned it and the sag got worse in that time. The rear
>started to sit down and sag a bit more noticabley over the last year. When I
>removed the original springs in the rear the thinner part of the spring at
>the top and the bottom were clearly completely useless as they were collapsed
>down to the thicker spring (the original VW coil springs have a variable
>thickness, I assume for some ride comfort benefits and the obvious deficit of
>collapsing.)
>
>I've only had the Sycro Org spring in for a few days. So I'm drawing my
>conclusions and questions with limited use--and really not conclusions at
>this time but questions. And this is not to say it's a negative conclusion.
>I'm just hashing out some thoughts.
>
>The bus definately corners more upright and changes lanes better on the
>highway and definately doesn't react with the same sway as the old springs
>when an 18 wheeler passes and the like. It seems to take side winds better
>and tracks straighter. (I just installed Agilis 61)
>
>The rises and falls in the highway seem to hit the driver harder on the
>driver's butt at about 60MPH--i.e. when the pavement meets a bridge's
>concrete. But these may be (relatively) extreme pavement height differences
>as I was driving at night I couldn't accurately see the upcoming bumps in the
>roadway--and maybe the CA freeways (the 101 between Ventura and LA) have
>reacted to the heat with inordinant swelling.
>
>I'm running 2 year old KYB G3's on the front which probably isn't my best
>choice, under any conditions, and especially with the new sycro.org springs.
>Would Bilstein's soften up the bumps a bit or the opposite? ( I have the
>other KYBs--the white one's I can't recall the model--on the rear.)
>
>Thanks,
>Jeff
>83.5 Westy
>LA,CA
>
>
>
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