Date:         Mon, 2 Feb 2009 20:27:37 -0700
Reply-To:     Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Shock Absorbers for Vanagon (2WD)
Comments: To: Loren Busch <starwagen@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <86476e250902021910t5d674bb9ic5f0e5cb38c451a1@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

No flaming, but I'll add a bit of fat (or reason) to the fire -

When I pulled the original shocks from the front of my '85 Westy, I
installed Bilstiens.  Living in Phoenix, they had to be ordered from
somewhere in California.

The ride was fine, but after a couple thousand miles, the mounting
ring on one of the shocks broke at the weld.  The van was sidelined
for over two weeks while a replacement was sent over under their
lifetime warranty.  Installed the new shock and about a month later
the other shock gave way in the same place.  I tossed the Bilsteins
and replaced them with KYBs, which I used happily for the next 300,000
miles (not not one set - three, IIRC).

Last year I finally replaced the KYBs with Konis.  Big difference;
rides smoother and more controlled.  I'm quite pleased with them.

My opinion, FWIW, Bilsteins better than stock; KYBs not as good as
Bilsteins, but not much worse; Konis better than any.

I've driven a Syncro Westy equipped with OMEs, and it had a very nice
ride.  I believe they are remanufactured Monroes.

Karl Wolz

On Mon, Feb 2, 2009 at 8:10 PM, Loren Busch <starwagen@gmail.com> wrote:
>  RE: KYB vs Bilstein
> At the chance I'll start a 'shock flame war' here I'm going to expand on my
> previous comment.