Date: Thu, 18 Jun 1998 23:53:21 -0700
Reply-To: "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@SCHWENK-LAW.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@SCHWENK-LAW.COM>
Subject: Re: Pre-loading Rear Springs re Syncro Suspension (long)
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David Marshall wrote:
> Great dicussion happening here! I am currently using an extra stock
> "donut" on each side of the rear of my Double Cab. I have a question about
> the front spacers that we are talking about. Where do you put them in and
> what do you use? I am assuming that it is above the spring cap and the
> piece that attaches to the frame where the spring cap rests against. If I
> am correct, how high can one go before the spring/strut assembley could pop
> out sideways? In the rear there is about 3" worth of spacers you could use
> before you risk everything popping apart.
>
> I have done the same on a Rabbit where I installed a 1" metal spacer
> between the fender and the strut bushing but I replaced the oringinal bolts
> with longer ones to hold it in place there was no chance of it popping out.
>
> I am all for lifting my Syncro a bit, but safety first!
>
Derek Drew has already covered in detail using spacers on the shocks and
alternative shocks available for syncros...in the archive. I believe he
determined that it was not feasible to use a spacer on the top of the front
spring. Fabricating a spacer for the bottom of the spring would be safer and
may be possible. I am talking about a spacer of only 1/2" to 1" thick. I do
not think using a properly-sized spacer to pre-load the spring presents any
problems. On every motorcycle I have owned, the pre-load on the shock spring
was adjustable. I know what a bike feels like when the pre-load is too stiff
and when it is too soft. My van is too soft, and sags too much. A little more
pre-load will help if not cure that.
Why couldn't a spacer for the bottom of the shock be fashioned out of the
bottom spring perch of an old shock. Cut off the old bottom perch so that it
will slide over the new shock and rest squarely and firmly on its bottom
perch. An insert of the thickness you want to pre-load needs to be made and
inserted between the two perches. A piece of an old and thinner coil spring
might do the trick nicely and be the right thickness and shape. The lip on the
inner side of the lower perch would secure the piece of coil spring. The lip
on the perch from the old shock would secure the bottom of the whole coil
spring. The two sections would fit together fairly snuggly and would be held
together by the force of the spring.
Attack at will!
steve
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