Date:         Mon, 30 Nov 1998 17:14:10 -0800
Reply-To:     Stephen Overmyer <s.overmyer@UWS.EDU.AU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Stephen Overmyer <s.overmyer@UWS.EDU.AU>
Subject:      Re: Westy Wind problems
Comments: To: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
In-Reply-To:  <199811302243.JAA03235@ob1.uws.EDU.AU>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>My '84 Westy handles terribly in just about any crosswind situation.  I =
>have owned it since '91 and have always had the same complaint =
>(especially at higher speeds). The problem appears to be getting slowly =
>and progressively worse.
>Can anyone tell me if this is an inherent design flaw from the beginning =
>and/or does it get worse with age?  Also are there any relatively =
>inexpensive fixes?

 Cam,

 Sounds to me like your shock absorbers need to to be replaced.
 Any flat sided van is susceptable to cross winds but I have found
 the Wasserboxer reasonable in such circumstances compared to earlier
 Transporters,due in part to their rack & pinion steering,which helps
 steering corrections as you get buffetted by side winds.

 While I don't have a Westy & therefore the extra weight at roof height
 my Transporter's ability to withstand crosswinds has been improved
 by:
   a) 15 x 7" alloy wheels with 60 series 215 tyres
   b) Bigger diameter,stiffer front sway bar
   c) (and most importantly) Kony adjustable shocks when the originals
      started to show signs of age (around 125,000 Klms)

 Start by checking or replacing your shocks.Good quality new ones
 make a world of difference without costing the earth.

 My opinion,for what it's worth...

 Gute Fahrt!

 Steve O.
 Blue Mountains NSW Aust.
 '92 Transporter WBX
 '76 Crew Cab
 '68 Beetle Deluxe