Date:         Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:21:04 -0400
Reply-To:     Oliver Gruber <osgruber@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Oliver Gruber <osgruber@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Syncro Sway Bar
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi all,
I just took the plunge into Vanagon ownership with the purchase of a
1987 GL Syncro. I got it in MA and drove it back down to PA with no
problems what so ever. Ran great, pulled strong and handled rush hour
through NYC like a champ. I took it to my mechanic here at home (I found
out that his personal DD is the same - an 87 Syncro) for a state
inspection and he noticed something funny. It has no front sway bar
assembly. At all. It has the mounting holes but they are covered with
rust as to suggest their not being used for some time. Though I had
never driven a vanagon before, I did not notice any problems with
handling on the road. In fact, I thought it handled much better than I
expected it would. Has anyone ever heard of a reason to remove the sway
bar? Better off road maybe? Anyway, my mechanic says in order to pass
inspection it must have a sway bar.
Question #1: Will the Sway Bar Assembly from a standard Vanagon fit a
Syncro other that the spacer at the top connecting the bar to the body?
It looks the same on the VW parts screen at the dealer. I know that it
must be from a post 86 vintage in order to be compatible.
Question #2: Does anyone have a set of end links that they want to get
rid of? I will need the complete assembly minus the sway bar itself (I
think I have a line on one). Or will I be better off getting the
complete assembly all at once?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Oliver Gruber