Date:         Thu, 11 Jun 1998 23:24:57 -0700
Reply-To:     David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Subject:      14" vs 16" Syncro suspensions
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
In-Reply-To:  <199806120250.WAA26232@fifth.interport.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

From what I can tell the suspension differences between the 14" and 16"
syncros are few.  It seems that there is only a suspension lift on the 16"
to make it ride higher and an enlarged trailing arm (2 cm) to accmidate the
larger tires 205/80 16" tires.

So here are some questions:

What is the increased length components in the front suspension assembly?
Is it the springs, the struts or a combination of both?  Same question for
the rear suspension.  I know the CVs are bigger and axle shafts are
slightly longer in front but this seems to be the only changes (besides
larger fender openings) to set the 16" aside from the 14" syncros.

If it is as simple as longer springs then it is no problem to get these
made up.  I had a pair of progressive rate springs made up for my Rabbit PU
for about $250 Canadian.

If it is a taller strut then I assume someone like the Bus Depot should be
able to import these from Germany if we organised a group purchase.

The CVs and axles are supposed to be a combo of Audi 100/5000T and Porsche
944T??.  I will find this out later this summer at the Vancouver VW show or
sooner if I can play in the parts bin at the VW dealership.



-- David Marshall, Quesnel BC, mailto:david@volkswagen.org --
   -- 78 1.8L VW Rabbit, 80 2.0L VW Caddy, 87 Audi 5KQ  --
   --  85 1.8L VW Cabrio, 88 1.6L VW Syncro Double Cab  --
   --   Volkswagen Homepage http://www.volkswagen.org   --
     --  USE DAVID@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG WHEN SENDING EMAIL  --