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Date:         Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:49:48 -0400
Reply-To:     Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gregg Carlen <gregg.carlen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Shocks- while we are at it....
Comments: To: "SDF ( aka ,jim lahey' - Scott )" <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>
In-Reply-To:  <53892363.3080302@turbovans.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

FWIW, I have had one of the Koni's fail. I put them on my van (90 Westy automatic), leaving them at the stock setting which is midway between hard and soft. That gave me a fairly hard ride, but I have Hankook tires on, so that adds to the hard ride.

Anyway, the one Koni that failed (drivers front) happened the day I put it on. By the time I drove home from the shop, something felt wrong. Upon inspection, I found the the top of the piston rod where the point on the piston shaft where the threads meet the solid part of the shaft had broken.

I called Koni and they crossed-shipped one out to me right away. No problems with the other 3 or the replacement ever since.

I spoke to one of the Koni techs a few weeks later and he said on of the internal components had seized, locking the shaft in place. Then, driving put a lot of stress on the shock, sometimes jerking on the shock until the shaft broke.

Anyway, I've had them on for about 3 years and still very pleased. I just, this week, am having them be adjusted for a softer setting (which I should have done a long time ago).

Gregg 90 Westy (Blueberry)

On Friday, May 30, 2014, SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott ) < scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> I totally agree that KYB's can be harsh .. > and generally, I find HD Bilsteins to be nigh perfect, > although .. > on a vanagon they did not seem 'magic' like on my Mercedes sedan or > turbo 740 volvo, > until I went from 14 to 15 inch wheels and tires. > > the only other one I would suggest 'above' HD Bilsteins is Koni's ..from > Van Cafe. > They are also adjustable for compression/rebound stiffness or with age > and wear. > > Scott > \ > On 5/28/2014 11:26 PM, Todd Last wrote: > >> Interesting. I have the HD Bilstein shocks and never thought they were >> harsh at all. >> Particularly compared to KYBs. But then I am driving a Westy which is >> heavier. >> >> Todd >> '88 Westy >> >> On 5/28/2014 5:08 AM, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) wrote: >> >>> The rear axle should be there today for you. Shock depend on what >>> kind of >>> ride you like. The stock shocks were oil/air and really didn't have >>> a lot >>> of resistance. This results in a soft ride which, if you have >>> reinforced >>> tires, I actually like. I really don't like the KYB shocks on the >>> Vanagon. >>> I have installed them for customers over the years and rode in many >>> vans >>> with them installed and I think they just aren't that great. People used >>> to buy them because they were cheap and gas charged but the price keeps >>> going up and up. If it were me I would invest in a set of Bilsteins. >>> There are actually two different versions of this for the van. If you >>> like a softer ride there are the Bilstein Street shocks (black). Or >>> if you >>> must have a super firm ride so that you can drive over some change >>> and know >>> how much it is by the bumps you feel, the Bilstein HD (Yellow). If it >>> were >>> me I would go with the Steet version as these are a bit cheaper but also >>> give a firm but softer ride. The HD are Heavy Duty and they are super >>> stiff. If you have kids riding in the back with motion sickness >>> issues, I >>> would steer clear of these. >>> >>> Hope this helps, >>> >>> Ken Wilford >>> John 3:16 >>> www.vanagain.com >>> >>> >>> >>> On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 1:23 AM, Geneva Saint-Amour < >>> genevasaintamour@hotmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> Four weeks ago we installed new springs. Then new brakes, wheel >>>> cylinders >>>> and drums. This past weekend we broke an axle and will be replacing >>>> it next >>>> Saturday (if the stars align for speedy shipping). So, we may as >>>> well do >>>> the shocks while we are in there. >>>> Which shocks do you suggest for a 1984 Vanagon Westfalia with a high >>>> top? >>>> Anything else we should do while in this department? >>>> >>>> Sent from my electronic leash! >>>> Geneva Saint-Amour >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Thanks, >>> Ken Wilford >>> John 3:16 >>> www.vanagain.com >>> >>> >>


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