Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:58:25 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Front spring question
In-Reply-To: <031c01d8ce2e$ff0b7cb0$fd227610$@t3technique.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Wow!
This is really great news for me as my springs seem to be clean and in very nice condition. The rear are still at stock height.
So, the next question would be how do I shim the front springs to get back to level? What materials are needed and are there any directions out there?
I’m not ruling out doing it myself until I learn more, but if a spring compressor is involved I’m likely to bring it to my alignment and suspension shop!
Any how to and material lists out there?
Eric Caron
85 GL Auto
> On Sep 21, 2022, at 10:57 PM, <christopher@t3technique.com> <christopher@t3technique.com> wrote:
>
> One thing to keep in mind is that springs maintain their original spring rate (stiffness) throughout their life, even if the "sag" (which is officially referred to as "losing load height). In other words, if a spring had a 400 lb spring rate when it left the assembly line, as long as the spring is not broken, has not been cut, etc., it will still have a 400 lb rate for the rest of its life. What this means is that any handling degradation you feel is mostly due to alignment change that occurs as the ride height changes over time.
>
> In my opinion, shimming the stock springs is perfectly acceptable/reasonable. In fact, VW did an excellent job of specifying the spring rates for the Vanagon, so keeping the stock springs has some advantages over going with stiffer aftermarket springs. .
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Eric Caron
> Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2022 5:41 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Front spring question
>
> Hi folks,
>
> During a recent trip my suspension had a few issues. One was that the front springs sagged. The front is about 1 inch less then it has been for the last 10 years. Example when the van is parked on a level surface the sliding door now closes. This never happened before the trip, van sat level.
>
> So my question is, rather than replacing the springs is there a safe and reasonable way to shim the front? I’d rather do that then try to drop the back.
> The springs are not rusty and seem intact. The van rides and handles ok. Maybe not as good as before but not bad. Still handling better than before the tire and suspension upgrades.
> Springs are not broken.
>
> Ideas and experiences?
>
> Eric Caron
> 85 GL Auto
>
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