Date:         Thu, 30 Oct 1997 00:21:47 -0800
Reply-To:     ruxpin@NETCOM.COM
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Robert Skegg <ruxpin@NETCOM.COM>
Subject:      Re: Sagging springs, effect and cure?
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1988 Westy 120k miles.

I have noticed a lean to the left over the last year +. It was up to 2",
measured at the body wheel arch top. Like otheres here I though 'ugly, but
so what?'

Then one day I noticed that the inside of the front passanger side tire was
heavily worn, but the driver side front was evenly worn. Usually they both
wear on the inside a bit.

I checked the front camber with a framing square. Crude, but better than
eyes. Drivers side = 0, Passanger = huge-in! I tried adjusting the camber -
there's nowhere near enough adjustment to get it right. Then it occurs to me
that the camber is referenced to the body, not the other wheel, so the body
lean messes up the camber, results in very uneven tire wear.

So, if you have a big lean, check your front passanger tire for wear on the
inside.

I asked around about 'lean'. Midas told me that the problem is with the
springs, and new ones are very expensive ($650) and special order. I should
try elsewhere. Another VW specialist garage told me the problem was just the
shocks, not the springs!

After reading posts to this mail list I concluded the problem really is the
springs. I got some 'SPRING-LOX' coil spring boosters and put a pair on each
driver side spring, adding about an inch to the coil sep. The result is that
the body lean is now withing 1/4 inch, and the front wheel camber is back to
resonable. I don't know how long one can run with these things installed, but
$650 is pretty steep for a couple springs. It would buy a lot of tires!


R. Skegg
ruxpin@nospam.netcom.com
remove nospam
Freemont Ca.
88 Westy.