Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2018 08:04:41 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 85 Westfalia front springs
In-Reply-To: <MWHPR20MB1551F26028CC7DEB07C709A6A0530@MWHPR20MB1551.namprd20.prod.outlook.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
A simple way to grasp how ride height, corner-weights, Springs, etc all
work is to grasp a couple of pencils, one crosswise in your palm, one
sticking out between your fingers. Hold the pencils, fist-down and rotate
your hand and wrist slowly, watching the ends of those pencils...
It's pretty interesting how small adjustments to any component of a
suspension can alter the whole "system"...
Watch those pencils and visualize , if the ends of those were your
wheels, with a big heavy speeding vehicle attached, all that is going on
with everything.
On Wed, Jul 18, 2018, 7:04 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Unless you actually have a defective spring you will likely find that a
> new set will not correct the lean. You can try swapping the springs side to
> side to confirm. The rears are real easy.
>
> From experience the 85's seem to need the left rear shimmed up~ 1/2 inch
> which will push the right front down and then maybe 1/8 to 1/4" left front
> which will push the right rear down a bit.
>
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2018 4:16 PM
> To: Dennis Haynes
> Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: [VANAGON] 85 Westfalia front springs
>
> Dennis please don't apologize! I appreciate whatever free time you have
> to help. Only wish I lived closer. I did base my summer holidays around
> getting a new canvas installed this summer by Ateliers PK in Quebec. You
> never know!
>
> I measured from the lip to the ground.
>
> RF 28 inches
> RR 28.5 inches
> LF 27
> LR 27
>
> Only 1-1.5 inches difference but it looks like more? And you're right
> both front and back are sagging. I guess I would need to replace all four
> springs then?
>
> Thanks
> Jeff
>
> On Jul 17, 2018, at 06:55 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
> wrote:
>
> Sorry about the delay getting back to you.
>
> Left side sag can be a combination of both springs. For some reason the
> 85's seem to suffer or it is the most obvious on these. Having a scale set
> it is really interesting how well weight is actually distributed.
>
> What you need to do is measure the fender lip to axle center distances.
> Then you will see if you have a true corner sag or a side to side sag. it
> is common for some springs to take "set" If this is the case a fix would be
> to swap the springs left-right or shim to adjust. If going the shim route
> you need to consider that as you lift a corner you will take weight off 2
> wheels and transfer that weight to the wheel diagonally opposite the one
> you lifted. There is a lot of dynamics. A really good suspension shop
> should have scales. Scales are helpful to get this right.
>
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com>
> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 12:16 AM
> To: Dennis Haynes
> Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Subject: Re: 85 Westfalia front springs
>
> Found my original receipt from 2005! Part number 251411105A952 which is
> still on their site as stock replacement including camper.
> Jeff
>
> On Jul 15, 2018, at 10:51 PM, Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com>
> wrote:
>
> Thanks Dennis. I replaced all four of them with Bus Depot springs about 10
> years ago. I thought there were more to choose from rather than just one
> type. I just got back from a big trip today and had noticed some sagging on
> the driver’s side during the trip, but no issues with performance. I know
> it’s normal for a bit of leaning on the driver’s side, and i was loaded
> heavier than usual with full cupboards, fridge, water tank etc so chalked
> it up to that and uneven ground. But back at home in my driveway the lean
> looks more noticeable.
>
> Is there anything else it could be?
>
> Thanks
> Jeff
>
> On Jul 15, 2018, at 10:24 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> The ETKA did list different springs for various models indicated by paint
> marks. For the most part the aftermarket sells springs based on height or
> lift and usually they are replaced in sets of 4. Why do you think you need
> new ones? These vans tend to ride high in the front. The original rears do
> need to be checked for condition of the thin tails. These ends tend to rust
> and then break leaving a chance for a spring to work out.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Jeff Palmer
> Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2018 7:39 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Subject: 85 Westfalia front springs
>
> Hi everyone. I need new front springs for an 85 Westfalia. Are they the
> same as every other year? For some reason I thought they were unique? Stock
> wheels and tires.
>
> Thanks
> Jeff
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
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