Date:         Mon, 12 Jan 2015 18:25:07 -0600
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Harsh suspension
Comments: To: Robert Ueltzen <robueltzen@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CA+yRnu4_1-Yj7MxFEOMfgHwQDgaEd+Qigc2rCTsEFNRxDGGjPQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

My car was rough, too, and the new GoWesty springs made it much better.
Still a little rough due to the cheap off-brand shocks I am running, but
certainly a huge improvement. For the investment,you're going to get a
great improvement with new springs IF they are sagging or sitting the car
lower than it should be. I doubt that they could be work-hardened after
only 202,000 miles, though.

But what about those shocks? You need something approaching the OEM shocks.
Anything else could be too soft, or in your case too hard. I think Bilstein
makes different "rides" for the Vanagon.

Jim

On Mon, Jan 12, 2015 at 1:19 PM, Robert Ueltzen <robueltzen@gmail.com>
wrote:

> I have a 1987 Wolfsburg edition with 202,000 miles.
>
> Here’s my problem.  For a couple of years, my van has ridden like it has no
> springs.  Every little road seam rattles the car and jars my fillings
> loose.  The tires are Hankook RA08 185R14C with 40 PSI front and 50 PSI
> rear.  They have about 10,000 miles on them.  The change in tires had no
> effect on the suspension compliance.   Last summer I replaced the original
> shocks with Bilstein HD and all the bushings and ball joints in the
> suspension.  This had no effect on the suspension compliance.
>
> I feel like I am down to the spring replacement as the last element that
> could improve the suspension compliance.   Can coil springs become
> work-hardened through years of use and lose their elasticity?   If so, any
> recommendations for a source of good replacements? The 87 Wolfsburg has the
> short springs like the later Carat.  I do my driving on California streets
> and highways.
>
> Rob Ueltzen
> 1987 Wolfsburg Vanagon
> TIICO Conversion
>