Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:09:36 -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: How do you when your springs need to be replaced?
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you first problem is ..
I think those are....8 Ply Rating ( or D load rating ) tires on the front.
I absolutely can not stand any 8PR tires on the front of a vanagon ..
too harsh.
you do feel every irregularity in the pavement ..even on a regular van,
never mind a Carat or Wolfsburg..
which I drive for my personal in-town Vanagon.
You put C load ( 6PR ) or LT tires on the front ..
and it will instantly make the steering and front ride far, far better.
that size..
185 R 14 ..not the best for a Wolfsburg/Carat.
'all right' ...but tallish .
I run 15's on mine ...just love it.
I happen to use Michelin agilles 205/65 R 15 LT tires ..
fantastic tire, not harsh in the front.
magic vehicle with those tires and good shocks.
the springs are a little bit stiffer ..
but fix your incorrect front tires first.
I'v had to fine tune on tire pressures to get mine working and feeling
right. ...feels just perfect right now ..
with decent shocks, and the right tires and wheels...
and seriously ....D load rating/8PR tire in front ..
you are given up a LOT of smoothness in the steering wheel feel..
and 'nimbleness' in the steering response/handling.
I fine tune the WHOLE van..
every aspect of the whole rig ....8PR tires front and rear suck.
Rear is fine ..quite good actully.
but not in front. Cant' say it strongly enough.
If I put some LT tires on the front of your van and sent you for a good
drive..
you would LOVE the change in the feel, the ride, and the straight line
tracking/ steering repsonse.
Like immediate 60 % improvement.
Stop by and we'll put some on the front for you to try.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Stewart" <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 10:08 AM
Subject: How do you when your springs need to be replaced?
>I have an 88 Wolfsburg GL. It has new front and reach shocks on it replaced
>about 2 years ago. It also has all new front bushings upper and lower. For
>the rear shocks it has Koni Red's at the middle level setting and on the
>front it has Boge's on them.
>
> I used to have the KYB's on the van and immediately took them off because
> the ride was super stiff and I felt every bump like there was no
> suspension at all. (If someone wants these shocks for a discount price let
> me know.)
>
> When I first got the van it had the old original shocks on it, very cushy
> and bouncy. I loved the cushyness but the bouncyness drove me crazy so I
> replaced them all.
>
> Now the ride is a lot better, wind pressure on the van does not make it
> sway all over the road but I still feel all the bumps!
>
> What's the issue here?
>
> Wrong shocks or old tired springs?
>
> My springs are the Carat style shorter ones, I have ridden in my friends
> Westy with the taller springs and the ride is amazing compared to my short
> springs.
>
> Do I need to replace these springs to get a more springy cushin' to the
> ride?
>
> Can I swap out my short springs for taller ones? If so do I need to change
> the shocks as well?
>
> Can I put in salvage yard taller springs?
>
> By the way I the Bus Depot RA08's on the van and they are great.
>
> Thanks for the advice,
> Robert
> Upstate NY