Date:         Tue, 9 Feb 1999 22:10:15 -0800
Reply-To:     David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Subject:      Home made Syncro 16" trailing arms???
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Volks
I have been looking at installing Syncro 16" rear trailing arms for the
longest time in my Syncro.  For those that do not know what the difference
is between the 14" Syncro and 16" Syncro trailing arms - the 16" Syncro
trailing arm is 20mm longer [from front pivot point where it attaches to
the body to the center of the hub] to allow for 29"+ tires to be used.

Bjorn emailed me today stating the 16" trailing arms from the Volkswagen
Dealer in Germany are 1100DM each - ouch!  Quite expensive!

After reviewing the Bentley manual an idea came to mind.  This idea would
accomplish two things if it would work.  First - most die hard
Syncronaughts want to use 15" tires due to the large selection that is
available.  Most people tend to use Audi Quattro wheels that have the
incorrect offset - the offset brings the center of the tires in closer to
the Vanagon causing a potentially dangerous handling problem.  Second - the
die hard Syncronaught wants be able to install 30" tires on their van.

The idea that I came up with is to design a plate that goes in between the
rear trailing arm and the wheel bearing housing that has mounting holes
that are offset by 20mm in order to increase the wheel base by 20mm.  This
plate would be thick enough to push the rear wheels out a bit to allow for
the use of Audi wheels.

I have never personally taken apart the rear suspension of a Vanagon so I
need to know if anyone has experience in this area.  The main question that
I have is if there is enough space inside the trailing arm to give the CV
joint enough room move 20mm rearward without hitting something.  If the
answer to that is yes then this leaves only one other potential problem -
does extending the axle an extra 25mm pose any longevity problems in that
area?

Though, comments, suggestions are welcome...



--   David Marshall - Vanagon List Admin - Quesnel, BC, Canada   --
--    78 VW Rabbit, 80 VW Caddy, 87 Audi 5KSQ, 85 VW Cabriolet   --
--  88 2.0L VW Syncro Double Cab, WANTED: VW / Bombardier Iltis  --
-- David's Volkswagen Home Page        http://www.volkswagen.org --
-- Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning  http://www.fastforward.ca --
-- david@volkswagen.org (pmail) or vanagon@volkswagen.org (list) --