Date:         Wed, 26 May 1999 07:45:10 -0700
Reply-To:     Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: [Syncro] Custom Syncro Springs
Comments: To: "Michael J. Sullivan" <sullivan@openmarket.com>
Comments: cc: "Steven X. Schwenk" <Steve@Schwenk-Law.com>,
          Carl Hansen <carl_hansen@ieee.org>,
          "Syncro Shocks - Ratjen, Björn, Ph.D." <bratjen@direct.ca>,
          "Syncro@onelist.com" <Syncro@onelist.com>,
          David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hello, Steve, et al. I agree. I will take a set also. I suggest that 10%
may be enough if the ones I am trying from David Marshall are truly 15%.
How is this value varied by the manufacturer? The Marshall springs have
the same number of coils + 1/4 and have just barely larger diameter
wire. The wire diameter is not perfectly constant on either but the
stock look about 21/32 and Marshall's about 22/32. His gave me about 1
3/4" more ride height though the spring is only 1 1/8" longer. Using the
same rate but only 1/2" longer than stock should yield a ride height
increase of at least an inch. As to his suggestion that one could
hacksaw off any unwanted length, this seems questionable. The end coils
have a different shape. The spiral diminishes and the end of the spring
comes close to closing the circle, to create a flatter end for seating
purposes. I still plan to leave his in and try them with a full load. I
am thinking about shortening my weekend trip so I don't subject my wife
to the harsh ride for 12 hours each way. Changing shocks and springs at
the same time may not be the best way to experiment. Some of the new
harshness in my front suspension may be due to the OME shocks being
firmer than the thrashed BOGEs. Has anyone found a model of spring
compressor that is small enough to fit into the tight space up front? I
would do more experimenting if the job was easier.

Mark



Michael J. Sullivan wrote:
>
> count me in steve.
> 1/2" and 10%-15% sound about right to me.
>
> Cheers,
> MJS
>
> At 01:17 PM 5/25/99 -0700, Steven X. Schwenk wrote:
> >The more we order, the cheaper they'll be. If i can get a
> >total of five orders, the price per spring is one-half what
> >it would be for just one pair. (from about $125 per spring
> >to about $70 per spring.) Thus far we have 3 people who
> >want them.
> >
> >Let me know if you are interested. Also let me know how
> >muchg stiffer you think they shopuld be. the plan is to not
> >make them too much stiffer....they do not need to be a whole
> >lot stiffer. The rears seem fine and we want to be able to
> >use the new fronts with the stock rears anfd still have them
> >balanced.
> >steve
>
> Michael J. Sullivan
> Director of Catalog Design
> Open Market, Inc.
>
> *********************************************
> phone: 781.359.7624
> work: http://www.openmarket.com
> scan tips: http://www.hsdesign.com/scanning
> vanagon: http://www.hsdesign.com/vanagon
> *********************************************