Date:         Fri, 3 Feb 2006 02:14:27 +0000
Reply-To:     Dave Vickery <davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Vickery <davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Shocks Update
In-Reply-To:  <C007F9A0.156B5%bueses@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

I replaced my front Boge shocks with HD Bilsteins (90 Westy) and I thought
they were overrated for all the hype I heard.  "Like night and day over
stock"--Not really.  The ride on the road is basically the same.  More like
the difference between late evening and night.  However, on wash board
forest service roads they are noticably better.  I can go faster and feel
less vibration.  I only replaced the front and now on those roads I can feel
the rear vibration and the tires are a little "loose" back there.

So I would say the Bilsteins are good and should be considered if you need
new shocks, but maybe not a reason to just change out good shocks.  They
willl probably last as long as the van, but the stock Boge lasted over 150K
and didn't leak and still provided good performance.


>From: bueses <bueses@EARTHLINK.NET>
>Reply-To: bueses <bueses@EARTHLINK.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Shocks Update
>Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2006 18:02:08 -0700
>
> >> For those that care, I promised an update on my new non HD Bilstein
>shocks
> >> on the 84 westy.  Been driving around on them for a week, & have not
>noticed
> >> to much difference from my stock Boges w/ almost 90 k on them.  When
>the og
> >> shocks were removed, the 2 fronts had slight oil leaks on them, but the
> >> rears appeared to be fine & working well.  Replaced all four just for
>phun,
> >> & it rides a little stiffer than before, but not uncomfortable. Haven't
>been
> >> in any big sidewinds yet to see if there is any difference.
> >>
> >> Since I have never had any other vanagons or shocks, I would have to
>say
> >> that it is sorta like the pebble under the mattress?
> >>
> >> Tom
> >
> > Your Bilsteins may be set to the softest rebound setting.
>
>That may be true, I had my trusty VW mechanic install them, & he had warned
>me earlier that the Bilsteins in his opinion were to stiff for the westy.
>So that is why I ordered the cheaper ones-are they adjustable like the HD
>models? If they are adjustable, does softest rebound mean they rebound more
>or rebound less?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Tom