Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 10:56:31 -0600
Reply-To: Al and Sue Brase <albeeee@MCHSI.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Al and Sue Brase <albeeee@MCHSI.COM>
Subject: Re: Swapping '86 front end onto '82
In-Reply-To: <420BAD63.31151.401B6F16@swright.zuiko.sls.bc.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
Uh guys, the lower control arms are cast IRON on the late 85 & up. While
it may affect the ride quality I cannot believe it would be for the
better. This is why many new 4wd American pickups use aluminum
suspension members- to reduce the unsprung weight.
Having said that, I will agree that there seems to be something of a
different feel between the early (81-83) and late (86-91) Vanagons that
I have owned/ driven. and almost all the parts are the same or very
similar. I cannot speak to the 84-85 because I've never owned one.
I would say that the late model feels very much heavier more and stable.
But not entirely better. The earlier cars seem more nimble and lighter.
Perhaps the air-cooleds are lighter, but even my 82 feels that way when
I take my 2500lbs of junk out of it.
Obviously, these are somewhat subtle differences and perhaps not what
you'd notice the first time in a test drive.
I'd rather assumed that it was mostly due to the power steering. The
stable feeling might be great for some, but I've spent that last 25
years driving too fast (white knuckled!) in type 2 vw's and the
occasional 356 and 911 Porsche and I kinda like that light steering feeling.
I think people should learn to look beyond the feeling that newer is
better, even in the evolution of the vanagon. Certainly some things were
improved, but many were just to save money or make it more marketable.
I seriously doubt the cast iron lower control arms make much difference
in ride or handling. They were probably brought out because they were
cheaper to manufacture than the steel fabbed ones. I doubt they are
stronger than steel, but the steel ones are a little more vulnerable to
rust damage (as are the rears, as well!).
I think Vanagon owners in rust prone areas should check or replace their
lower control arm bushings, as well as the uppers. I have found severe
hidden damage in these bushings that wasn't visible, but the car just
didn't feel right.
Replacing the bushings, put it back right. There was over 1/4" of built
up rust scale on the inner steel of the bushings and it had destroyed
the rubber in there.
Al Brase
Shawn Wright wrote:
>On 10 Feb 2005 at 16:39, Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
>
>
>
>>Hello,I recently did the complete front end rebuild on an early 85(sheet
>>metal lower control arm).It was successful,and works great,but that cast
>>iorn lower control arm suspension is the only way to go(expensive
>>hindsite) .That arm acts like a flywheel and absobls road shock instead of
>>transmitting it to you.To do it again, I would get the cast iorn parts I
>>needed and press out the old and press in the new, and have everything
>>ready to go .I would then strip out the sheet metal parts and install my
>>refurbishes cast iorn parts/without a lot of down time.The ride difference is
>>like night and day.Those old parts will make a great boat anchor!
>>
>>
>
>Interesting - I had never considered the possibility of the cast arm affecting ride
>quality that much due to its composition. I knew it would reduce unsprung weight (it is
>cast aluminum, so should be a fair bit lighter), and should improve handling slightly
>as a result. Something I'll have to keep in mind. There are so many differences
>between my '88 and '82 vans, that I can't really determine the causes for difference
>in "feel".
>
>Thanks for the info.
>--
>Shawn Wright
>I.T. Manager
>Shawnigan Lake School
>
>
>
| 
