Date: Sat, 12 May 2007 17:02:09 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Front end ?
In-Reply-To: <5c80974c0705120951h3508b2c6qacf2fca33f896bd@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
AFAIK, Addco is the only company that make rear sway bars for the Vanagon.
They do not make one for the Syncro although it can be readily adapted. The
bar itself is great but the mountings and rubber parts have a lot to be
desired.
Many years ago, a magazine did a report on after market suspension upgrades
including some track and slam testing. Sway bars, springs, and shocks were
tested and there were some strange results.
While test drivers were reporting that various upgrades did improve the
handling or feel, the vehicles actually traveled slower during the slalom
meneavers. It was concluded that for most vehicles, the factory set up was
the best handling system available and most upgrades offered little benefit.
All the improvements were mostly perception and feel. Not actual performance
increases.
I have used the Addco rear bar, modified to work on the Syncro. After tiring
of repalcing pieces, I removed it. So I lean a little more in turns faster
than I should be going. While it did appear to reduce leaning during cross
winds, it did little to stop side movement anyway.
A while agao, one of the front end links broke on FUN BUS. I removed the
broken link and continued to drive. Excpet for a few over sped exit ramp
maneavers, I didn;t even realize the bar was missing. I think I left that
way for over a year. I fianlly fixed it when I had to replace a ball joint.
I had to pay attention to realize it was back. Yes, it was noticable on high
speed exit ramp maneuvers.
Shocks do not stop lean or sway either. They only change the rate of the
lean.
Dennis
>From: Sudhir Desai <sudhir.desai@GMAIL.COM>
>Reply-To: Sudhir Desai <sudhir.desai@GMAIL.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Front end ?
>Date: Sat, 12 May 2007 12:51:18 -0400
>
>Cause they all drive really slowly, and think after-market suspension
>modifications are "the work of the devil". :P
>
>Seriously though, there was some talk about after-market front, and
>rear sway-bars on the list a few months ago(6-8). The thread was
>rather short-lived, but a couple very good links were referenced.
>
>Sudhir
>
>On 5/12/07, TC <trclark@shaw.ca> wrote:
>> > The Van is a broad side vehicle. It will be affected by wind gusts.
>>I gotta say when I added some after market addco rear sway bars
>>that really picked the handing up a few notches
>>only good tries may such a dramatic difference in handing
>>i NEVER see anyone else here talking about rear sways bars how come ??
>>
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