Date:         Thu, 2 Jan 2003 03:53:41 -0500
Reply-To:     Andrew Nock <mcnock@EASYSTREET.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Nock <mcnock@EASYSTREET.COM>
Subject:      leveling van ride height /cheap way to do it

Well I adjusted my ride height using a very low cost method. I am looking
for comments or fatal flaws.

Problem: I have an 85 westy with a sagging rear end.

My fix:

1) bought "high torque" SS hose clamps McMasterCarr 1" - 2 1/4 inch
extended range - 5/8 wide, extra thick band. (5 for $8). The have in
previous cataloges, advertised these as the 'end all solution' to leaking
hoses - a full 6 threads of positive engagement. Simply will not break"

2) Placed two clamps 180 spaced degrees apart around 2 coils of each front
spring (I pre bent the clamps so the screw part would stay at a coil)

3) Cranked them down so my ride height was correct.  About 1" on each side.

4) I am level at a cost of $8

Note 1) I could not strip these clamps with a standard size 1/4 drive
socket wrench! And I cranked them pretty hard.

Note 2) Why note 1 is important: I tried this previously with regular hose
clamps.  I stripped several in the process (I knew was a bad sign). I
finially got 4 of them to stick, but over two weeks I heard several
distinct "pings" from my undercarriage as they broke rebounding from sudden
changes in road elevation (ie entering and leaving driveways)

How long will it last? Any guesses?