Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 15:37:38 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
In-Reply-To: <1058A2F3-BD46-4E4F-A41E-2150A2800E61@EricWunrow.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
The Vanagon suspension generally holds up very well to abuse. The top
control bushings coming loose is a sign you have bushings that are bunched
up and seized. This is fairly common. Replacing them is the fix. As an
upgrade you can try the T3 Techniques bushings. I did have one fail after
short usage on Fun Bus and Chris did not hesitate to replace the set for me.
Unfortunately as the one failed down in Florida by the time I got home and
realized what happened the front pair of tires were destroyed.
While stiffer shocks may seem like a solution they can make things worse.
They can heat up more and any abuse not taken by the tires, shocks, or
springs will just go to destroying the chassis or vehicle. The energy has to
go somewhere. The advantage of the fox shocks is the remote reservoir.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Eric Wunrow
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2014 2:47 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Suspension for Off Roading
Hello:
I thought about posting this on the Samba but you all seem a bit more civil.
and helpful.
We are traveling full-time in a 1984 Westy we bought just months before
leaving, and are about to end Month 16. Challenging, yes. and perhaps equal
parts commendable and committable. But we are in for the long haul.
I have had four alignments done in 12K miles. At first I thought the
mechanics weren't torquing the right upper control arm enough, as it keeps
coming loose and knocking toe way out. last time it was over AN INCH out,
and now a few hundred miles later, it's out again and baking our new BFG
ATs. Ugh.
The easiest solution seems to be replacing the control arm bolts, as I do
not think Loctite will solve it in the proper way. But, if the arms need to
come off anyway, and possibly new bushings are needed as well, what are my
options for upgrading the suspension for constant dirt travel? I saw a gray
panel Synchro at Buses by the Bridge in January with Fox shocks and it
looked like a great solution. I am willing to trade highway comfort for off
road softness before parts start flying off at will.
We hope to keep our Bus forever, and though we are short of funds I do not
necessarily want a quick fix. We have to rely on this Thing (Ahem, sorry,
Bus) for a long time and may take it around the globe. So anything I can do
for the long-term good is of prime interest, and getting to remote places is
partly why we live in it.
Also, if you know of anyone in So. Cal. or near Yuma capable of this work
(where we're wintering), I'm all ears. I found a cooperative tire store
owner in Pahrump who owns a few Vanagons, but have yet to ask if such an
upgrade is within his realm.
Thanks in Advance,
Eric
Eric Wunrow Pictures
85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
Lakewood, CO 80228
303. 988. 8717
VW@EricWunrow.com