Date:         Sun, 21 Mar 2004 20:40:13 -0700
Reply-To:     Don in Phoenix <02BuellS3T@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don in Phoenix <02BuellS3T@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: saggy westfalia butt
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Palmer" <icecoldvw@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sun 21 March 2004 19:28
Subject: saggy westfalia butt


> I have an 85 Westy that sags in the rear, but evenly.  Doesn't do that
> listing to one side thing.  I was wondering if replacing the shocks might
> help a bit?  I didn't want to go the expense of new springs (if I thought
> that nothing else would break I might, but something is going to . . . )
If
> so, I was going to go with the stock shocks (Boge if I recall?)  Ride is a
> little bouncy right now, and shocks have never been replaced in the last
> 180k km since I've owned it.
>
> Thanks for the advice
> Jeff

Ride height is controlled by the springs, the shocks are there to dampen the
oscillation caused by loading and unloading the springs (e.g. you hit a
bump).  Yes, I have seen times when changing the shocks altered ride height.
Generally, the ride height can be increased by replacing WORN OUT shocks
with new ones.  Using too stiff of a shock to try to raise ride height is
not a good idea, however.

Keep in mind that the VW bus and Vanagon were designed to be lower in the
rear than the front, to allow weight transfer to the front suspension/brakes
under braking.  If you level a bus or Vanagon you will upset this load
transfer, which will cause (in extreme braking - "panic stops") the
suspension to unload the rear to the point that it starts to "come around"
on you.  The bus was very prone to this, the Vanagon to a lesser extent.  It
is something to consider when changing the ride height, though.

If it is "bouncy" then the shocks should be replaced.  They should be
replaced whenever possible as a complete set (all four), but in some cases
(i.e. you are broke) you can replace two (on the same axle) at a time.  If
you need to take that approach, I would suggest replacing the front shocks
first, to avoid braking issues.  Measure ride height before and after shock
changes, if it alters more than 1/4 to 1/2 inch, I would recommend having an
alignment done.

My own preference in the past has been for KYB's over stock replacements, or
when I could afford them, Bilsteins.  Just my $2 (2 cents with inflation).

Don in Phoenix