Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2021 08:23:20 -0700
Reply-To: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Tires (apologize in advance)
In-Reply-To: <012e01d76ce6$7cd87f40$76897dc0$@t3technique.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Thanks Chris,
Don’t know why I thought the springs were getting softer :-)
They might have sagged a bit, but maybe I’m wrong there too. I think I measured them once, the fronts at least, and tried to compare to the info on the German ig16 wiki.
They seemed to be close, well at least with my measuring technique.
I’ve collected a few springs, full set of the standard us model Syncro westy springs ( in adddtion to the set I have on van which was a tin top but my understanding tin top and westy springs were same in North American models… might be wrong there too)
And I have 2wd ( 82 diesel Westy) front springs which I tried on the sun or a few years ago. Of course they were taller but I felt they were softer too.
Anyway, enough babbling.
Thanks again for the correction.
Alistair
> On Jun 29, 2021, at 5:58 AM, christopher@t3technique.com wrote:
>
> One thing to remember is that springs do not get softer as they age, but they can lose load height. For example, if a coil spring is produced with a spring rate of say 450 lbs (requires 450 lbs to compress it one inch), unless it breaks or is modified in some way, it will always have a spring rate of 450 lbs. However, over time, being under constant load, the load height of the spring can reduce. To put it another way, the springs start to take a set at a lower ride height. Many people refer to this as spring sag. However, even at that lower ride height, the spring still has a spring rate of 450 lb. It just a bit shorter than it used to be when it was new, but not softer.
>
> So yes, you can add shims to older springs to renew/change the ride height. Your springs aren’t softer than they were when new and they won’t get stiffer by adding shims. You will simply be adjusting the ride height.
>
> Christopher
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Alistair Bell
> Sent: Monday, June 28, 2021 5:59 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Tires (apologize in advance)
>
> Pete,
>
> Thanks for the info. I think my springs might be tired after so long holding weight (86 Syncro).
>
> And no retempering shops around :-)
>
> Alistair
>
>> On Jun 28, 2021, at 11:02 AM, Pete O <pnoceanwesty@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hi, Alistair, all good! The difference is noticeable on the ride, not
>> so much on height. Nancy still grabs for the "oh shit" handle around
>> curves, but there is no need, now. It goes right around the corner and
>> doesn't feel like it's going to tip over!
>>
>>
>> Pete Owsianowski
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>> On Sun, Jun 27, 2021 at 5:47 PM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>>
>>> Pete,
>>>
>>> What are your opinions on the new springs? They did perk up the ride
>>> height, right?
>>>
>>> Feel good?
>>>
>>> Alistair
>>>
>>>>> On Jun 27, 2021, at 2:27 PM, Pete O <pnoceanwesty@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi, Jamie!
>>>>
>>>> All new Schwenk springs, Bilstein's, polyurethane bushings, not
>>>> lifted,
>>> but
>>>> refreshed. Running Grabber !T2 Series 215/65/R16. Did the GoWesy big
>>> brake
>>>> thing, too.
>>>>
>>>> It's still a Vanagon Westy all that entails, but man it rides down
>>>> the
>>> road
>>>> and corners so much better than before.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Pete Owsianowski
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On Sun, Jun 27, 2021 at 11:59 AM jamie@kookymathteacher.com <
>>>>> jamie@kookymathteacher.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Pete,
>>>>> What size tires are on your 16s? Do you have the Vanagon lifted at all?
>>>>>
>>>>> Jamie Auch
>>>>> The Kookymathteacher
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Jun 27, 2021, at 11:44 AM, Pete Owsianowski
>>>>>> <pnoceanwesty@gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi, Skip!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I switched from 14” wheels with Michelin Aegilis to 16” and AT
>>> Grabbers.
>>>>> There is just a bit more singing from the tires at low speeds but
>>> nothing
>>>>> too terribly load at highway speeds. We refurbished the whole
>>>>> suspension system at the same time and the van handles a lot more
>>>>> “car-like” now on the road and in turns.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Pete Owsianowski
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Jun 26, 2021, at 16:34, Skip Laubach <skiplaubach@gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Not to start a debate, trying to decide on new tires, likely
>>>>>>> match to
>>>>> new 16” wheels. 16” due to slightly more width for more stability.
>>>>> I
>>> don’t
>>>>> do off-road, but like the look of BFG’s (I have 14” BFG’s now) or
>>> Grabbers.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My question is for those that have Michelin Agilis (or similar)
>>>>>>> now,
>>>>> and previously had BFG’s or Grabbers, how much of a reduced road
>>>>> noise
>>> is
>>>>> there, and do you miss the “hefty” look?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I don’t mind a debate, so are there any other tires that beat the
>>> cake?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>> Skip
>>>>>>> ‘84
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>
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