Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (November 2014, week 3)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Sat, 15 Nov 2014 11:47:03 -0800
Reply-To:     Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
Subject:      Suspension for Off Roading
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

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


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.