Date:         Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:46:38 -0800
Reply-To:     Evan Mac Donald <evanm@ATT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Evan Mac Donald <evanm@ATT.NET>
Subject:      Re: Front Shocks - Help or How Much $? NEW Improved! With Wheel
              Bearings!!
In-Reply-To:  <59C54ED3-015A-4ADF-AEF5-81C7E573219A@eoni.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

If the spindle does indeed need replacing, you may wish to consider the brake 
"upgrade" possible by putting '86 or later spindles on. These later model 
spindles allow the use of better, later model rotors, and calipers . The later 
brakes work some better, and are stock, just not original to your van. The ball 
joints are not different, nor are the tie-rod ends. Unless your van was 
originally a manual steering van.



________________________________

>
 They, of course, recommend also replacing the driver's front corner spindle
> assembly, all four wheel bearings, plus all four shocks, at the same
> time.
>
Hi Bretts,

IMHO, do the wheel bearings, the ball joints and put not Koni or
Bilstein shocks on the front. What you save on the shocks will
probably pay for all the other parts. There was a thread here within
the past month on alternative shocks.  I recommended NAPA's gas shocks
and I believe that Ron Salmon piped in with an inexpensive shock that
he offered.

Spindle is a not hard to find boneyard part. I know that the local
boneyard (B&K Auto Salvage) here in La Grande (east side of the state)
has three early l/h spindles, so I'm sure that one ought to be an easy
find in Portland.

Regards,

Jim
snip<