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Date:         Tue, 28 Jul 2020 20:43:44 +0000
Reply-To:     David Boan <dboan@OUTLOOK.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Boan <dboan@OUTLOOK.COM>
Subject:      Lift
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


This post is a variation on the vibration discussion and concerns the rear lift springs that were apparently the source of the vibration.


On the advice of the shop installing the springs, I had them install rear springs and not front springs.  Their opinion was that the front springs were unnecessary, they would make the ride even stiffer, and there was no perceived sag in the front anyway.


Someone on this list (sorry, I misplaced the post) asked about the height of the vehicle,  front and back, at the fender rim.  With the new springs and wheels, I measured the rim from the floor through the center of the hub and got exactly 32" front and 32.25" back.  That is with 215/70/16 tires at 36 psi.  OR, measuring from the center of the hub to the rim I get 18.25" front and 18.5" back. Unfortunately, I did not measure before installing the springs.


I searched Samba and the list on "height" and found posts on people having trouble with large wheels banging the fenders, but the only posts on differences between front and back were older comments that the '85 Westy seemed high in the front.  My measurements seem to bear this out.  Some people report lowering the front to balance the vehicle.


Is this unique to an '85?


I assume the 1/4" difference front to back is meaningless and there is no good reason to have the front sit higher than the back.  I am preparing to return the unused front springs as it seems they are not needed, but wanted to run this by the group first.  This is an unloaded difference, and that 1/4" will disappear when we load up for a trip.


Also, I tested the clearance for these tires driving over a large speed bump at about 35 and had no banging.  The front wheels have plenty of clearance when turning.


On a related note, I purchased 944 CVs from T3 (thanks for the quick response) and am preparing to get them installed.  I will report back after they are installed.


Dave B.
Boise
'85 Westy
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