Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 08:03:57 -0500
Reply-To: EMZ <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: EMZ <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Subject: Re: Home made Syncro 16" trailing arms???
In-Reply-To: <3.0.3.32.19990209221015.0115e744@mail.abccom.bc.ca>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Dave,
I have done extensive work in this area. Two problems
I see: The CV joint may just fit in the new setup, but the
off set would put it in a
very unaccessable part of the housing. As it is now it is
almost imposible to get to, if you have problems with CV joint
bolts. The second problem is the CV joints would have
extended where, because of the extra angle it would be on.
The solution here would be to move the transmission location
but that gets in to an entire new ball of wax. Custom mods.
like this are always a give and take. Finnally this area
is in the unsprung area of the suspension. It can be subjected
to extrend force. I would never mess with the design of a
vehicle inthis area. I personally feel that
manufactors of most vehicles produce reliable vehicles first.
If you want to jepardize this, plain on having a second vehicle
to get to work in.
Eric 86-VW4x4
vw4x4@fyi.net 72-240z
Pittsburgh, PA USA 1936-Chrysler
On Tue, 9 Feb 1999, David Marshall wrote:
> 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) --
>
| 
