Date:         Tue, 2 Sep 2003 17:56:40 -0700
Reply-To:     Adam Behle <tikiman2@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Adam Behle <tikiman2@COX.NET>
Subject:      Bilsteins in Baja?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

Hi, just got back from a trip to Punta San Jose in Baja in our 87 2wd
Westy. The last stretch to the water is a 24 mile rough dirt road with
a lot of washboard and embedded rock. The van handled quite well with
the 6 month old Bilsteins and stock springs, but I bottomed out once.
We averaged about 20 mph. On the way back yesterday, I took it a bit
slower as things seemed a bit bumpier. I looked under the van to find
the left front shock hanging out of the control arm-the bolt had
sheared off, or more likely had come undone. While looking for the
gremlin in the suspension, I touched the yellow case of the rear shock
and it burned my finger-it was smoking hot from all the abuse. Then I
felt my friend's Bilstein in their Pathfinder to find that it was
slightly warm.  Going down the line I checked another friend's Toyota
with Monroe Sensatracs and they were only slightly warm. I know this is
comparing apples to oranges, but should my shocks be getting this hot?
Or is that to be expected with a loaded Westy? I wonder how long they
will last under those conditions. I also wanted to see if anyone had
used different springs in their 2wd vans to better off road performance
(Steve Schwenk springs? Are they still available?). Any advice to
smooth out the bumps is appreciated! Thanks in advance, Adam