Date: Tue, 9 Jul 2002 23:49:50 EDT
Reply-To: Wolfvan88@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Lilley <Wolfvan88@AOL.COM>
Subject: Getting a Handle on the Handling of the Vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
I have a 1988 Wolfsburg Weekender Vanagon.
It had the factory lowered suspension.
I put the KYB shocks on.
When I went into a curve, the van would lean. If I did not slow down, It
felt like it would turn over.
I wanted to improve the handling, not so much to take corners fast but to
keep from feeling like I was going to flip over and provide better handling
in emergency situations.
Another problem was that when I had a passenger in the front seat and I made
a turn, the van was slow to straighten up after the turn. This happened more
at slow speeds when coming off a curb turning or sharp 90 degree turns.
I was trying to decide on which way to attack the problem:
Springs or sway bar front then add a rear bar or all.
Well, I decided to go with springs the H & R lowering springs.
I kept the stock sway bar.
The ride was firmer, I was OK with the ride but my wife did not like the
harder ride, on rough roads it was a bit harsh.
It lowered the van about an inch in the front and several in the rear. The
ground clearance did not change for the front spoiler because the forward
tilt of the van was reduced to an even level.
On thing that I missed with the springs was that I could not get under the
rear as easy due to the reduced height.
I like the handling improvement. I could take all but sharp curves without
slowing down and not feeling like I was going to flip.
Well, my wife gave me an ultimatum:
Change the springs or sell the van because she would never ride in it again.
I decided to change the springs back to stock (from another GL 88, I had
already sold my springs). My wife was also pregnant with our first child and
I realized it would be too rough a ride for my infant (when he gets older I
might put some back in....)
Another reason was that the straightening problem did not go away with the
new springs. I would try the larger sway bar to see its effect.
I rebuilt the front suspension and added a 1" front sway bar. I also ordered
the rear but did not install it.
With only the bigger front sway bar (I installed greaseable urethane
bushings) I went for a test drive, the back end felt loose in curves. It
felt unbalanced.
I then put the rear bar on. It brought the rear end under control.
Conclusion:
Want to improve the handling and do not want a lower ride, then add front and
rear sway bars.
If you want to lower your van from the taller springs and do not want the
stiffer ride (campers...) then go with the 88 up springs,
With the larger matching 1" front and 7/8"rear bar, the handling will be much
better than the ride with the stock front sway bar and a bigger front only
bar, Plus the ride is not harsh but as smooth as stock.
The only combination I have not tested is the sway bars with the Bus Depot
Boge suspension spring set (MAYBE Ron would sell me a set cheaply to test and
in exchange, report to the list on the combination with the sway bars Front
only then both, with different rims and tire combos).
If you want the lower lowered look and do not have a loaded camper get the H &
R AND add front and rear sway bars.
IF you want a test ride, I am in North Carolina and am trying to persuade my
wife to go to the High County Bus Festival and I will be at Manassas, VA in
Sept for the Bug show (Boston Bob want to have the show down at the show?
Have not heard from you) Plus I can meet you if its is not too far...
Robert