Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:26:12 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Rear Shocks, Syncro vs. 2wd
In-Reply-To: <4516DDDB-D38D-4350-8C0A-D4B8FC7E5A53@shaw.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
For most situations the stock 2WD shock has more than enough extension room
to accommodate an extra inch of loaded height. When the rear is lifted and
the shock removed the only thing limiting the distance the trailing arm can
drop is the drive shaft. Using a longer shock now makes the drive shaft and
constant velocity joints the stop. Some travel on a road like the Brooklyn
queens expressway can test this new set up. Be sure to have the towing
insurance paid up.
The Syncros use longer shocks and springs but the drive line is also
lowered. Yes, Syncro engines and transmissions sit lower in relation to the
body.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Alistair Bell
Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2011 11:16 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Rear Shocks, Syncro vs. 2wd
The original question involved a 2 wd van that had been lifted. The syncro
rear shock has about 30mm more extension than the stock shock. Both types
have close to the same compressed length. If the OP's friend's van had been
lifted 1", then it makes perfect sense to install a shock with a 1" longer
stroke.
Otherwise the shock will be bottoming out more often.
Some folk cleave to stock set ups, some folk don't. There is no need to
smugly dismiss those who wish to modify their vans, and there is certainly
no way that you know what modifications VW engineers would have approved.
alistair
On 2011-12-11, at 7:46 AM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
> ---- Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> The shock is the power suspension stop. The Syncro shocks are longer.
>> This increased travel means that when the wheel drops the axle shafts
>> now get over extended and the rear springs can become loose and pop
>> out. Keep to the smooth roads.
>
> So Dennis, you are saying that we 2WD drivers should use the shocks
> specified for our equipment, not for the Syncro, especially if we
> drive on rough roads, right? Exactly as I suspected. I definitely do
> not know more about our vehicles than the engineers who designed them
> did. Thanks, mcneely