Date:         Thu, 16 Oct 2003 17:11:37 EDT
Reply-To:     Oxroad@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: springs and shocks for my 2WD Westy
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 10/16/2003 2:02:45 PM EST, SEAN.GARRETT@ASU.EDU writes:

<< http://www.syncro.org/springs.shtml

 for 2 wd too
  >>

I have the 2WD synchro.org springs in my 83.5 watercooled Westy. I've head
them for about a year and a half. Overall I am pleased. The ride definately
improved with the new springs. The old springs had a slight rear sag and a really
bad left side westy sag. The old left side springs when removed had little
spring left and had compressed permanently to a point where they most likely
offered little if not nothing.

With the new springs the constant weeble wobbling I felt with the old stock
springs is gone. Also the side to side shimmy of the entire bus when an
18-wheeler passed on the highway is all but gone. All in all an improved ride.

I'm not a "stunt driver" more of a "precision driver." So I'm not hitting
turns extremely hard and abide by exit ramp speed limits and the like. So I'm not
a great judge of the springs "high performance" assets. But I will say a good
ride and good cornering.

When I replaced the springs I also added the Agilis 61 14" tires. So there
was improvement due to the two factors.

There is an annoying squeek since the new springs, but that may be due to
bushings that are dry and need replacing due to the dry climate here and of
course age. The squeek is only noticable at slow speeds. And it's only annoying
because it reminds me I have to check it out and find the source.

I'm running old KYB shocks and would like to upgrade to a better shock and
possible one better suited to the Synchro.org springs. (Donations are currently
being accepted ;)  I have never leveled the ride by shimming the driver's side
on the Westy and that lean makes me crazy when I look at the bus when it's
parked. I understand that with any spring including OEM VW there will be a lean.
However I don;t really notice the lean when I'm inside driving. It may even
be an asset here in SoCal as far as leveling the ride since the roadways are
often unusually high at the center line to keep rainwater from flooding the
streets in this place where they haven't quite figured out the whole storm drain
thing (one storm drain every four blocks or so).

I'd be curious as to what others experience has been with the Synchro.org
springs, especially the 2WD. ( I think a lot has been written about the 4WD).

Best
Jeff
83.5 Westy
LA,CA