Date:         Tue, 17 Mar 1998 20:36:12 -0500
Reply-To:     John Olmsted <olmcons@NETINC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         John Olmsted <olmcons@NETINC.CA>
Organization: Olmsted Consulting
Subject:      Re: Stabilizer link
Comments: To: Chris Higgins <chiggins@BELLATLANTIC.NET>
Comments: cc: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Chris Higgins wrote:

> I recently discovered that the front driver's-side stabilizer link on my 81
> Vanagon was broken. You know, the small bar which connects the stabilizer
> bar to the lower control rod.  Is this a common problem?
>
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> CHRIS HIGGINS
> chiggins@bellatlantic.net
> '81 Vanagon L


I broke one of these links and made the mistake of replacing only the one that
broke.  Soon after I lost both links.  It seems that when you loose one link,
the other usually has developed microcracks and will break soon after.  I would
advise you to replace both links at once.  I also would advise anyone replacing
these links to have the interface between the threaded part and the link body
radiused on a lathe.  The 'step' between the threaded portion and the body of
the link act as a stress raiser due to the lack of a radius.  This seems to be
a design defect in the link, and accounts for the failure in this region.  As
far as I can tell, all stabilizer links that fail, fail at this location.
--
____________

Diesel John     Southern Ontario, CANADA

'83 Vanagon GL Diesel  "The Smoking Tortoise"
'71 S-Cab Pickup  "Ole Blu"
'83 Audi 5000TD
'84 Audi 5000 Avant
ex '71 Super Beetle
   '71 Type II  "Ole Red"
   '76 Scirocco
   '77 Diesel Rabbit
   '78 Diesel Rabbit

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