Date: Sat, 4 Jun 2011 13:20:05 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Help the chimp avoid getting crushed
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8"; reply-type=original
last point first..
I use a small bottle jack under the trailing arm to adjust the distance
between mounting points of the shock.
But you know that inherently ...you're just asking to get attention.
first point ..
no matter how you do it ..........there is significant risk and anger
jacking a van on a slope of that degree and working under it !!!
Here's what I say would make it safe ..
You attach a giant chain well attached to the uphill end of the van , and
then to a huge tree or 8 ton dump truck.
Otherwise..
Do it in the street ...
or wherever.
if you do one side at a time .......it will be max 20 minutes per side.
and a small bottle jack is perfect to control trailing arm vertical
position.
be careful.
if I hadn't shown up on time, my father would have died under his 59 220S
mercedes sedan.
*due to using roll-up ramps* !!!
and that was on the level too.
They are flat dangerous and should only be used with extreme caution, and
never on a slope, period.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rocket J Squirrel" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2011 6:35 AM
Subject: Help the chimp avoid getting crushed
> Remember that old animal intelligence test where they put a chimp in a
> room, and from the ceiling dangled a bunch of bananas out of reach, but
> they did leave a stick in the room and the chimp shortly figured he
> could overcome the obstacle (out of reach) and knock down the tasty
> treats with it?
>
> Well, let's say I am the chimp. Let's say that instead of a bunch of
> bananas, my goal is to change the rear shocks on my 1984 van. For the
> obstacle, let's say I do not have a flat place to work on. The driveway
> slopes sufficiently far that I need to stick 8'' high ramps under the
> downhill wheels to level the van. For tools, I have the right wrenches,
> the aforementioned ramps, a couple of cheap little jack stands with 6''
> square bases, a hi-lift jack with Vanagon adapter, and a healthy desire
> to do the job without (a) the van rolling into the house or (b) getting
> crushed.
>
> Seems like all I need to do is park the van on the ramps so it no longer
> has a downhill to roll down. Maybe nose down so the rears are on the
> pavement. Set it in Park and chock it, then, one side at a time, jack up
> a rear corner to get the wheel off and do the R&R.
>
> But before I embark, I'd like to check with the group in case there is a
> safety issue with this plan.
>
> SECOND QUESTION: I've never changed shocks, on level ground or not. The
> ones I'm trying are Monroe SensaTrac coilovers. I have not opened the
> box but it's pretty clear from the photo that I need to get the mounting
> points on the van the right distance apart because these shocks don't
> look like they are easy to compress or stretch by hand. How does a
> fellow go about getting the right distance between the upper and lower
> mounting points?
>
> --
> Rocky J Squirrel (Jack Elliott)
> '84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> '74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
> Bend, OR
> KG6RCR
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