Date:         Thu, 10 Jun 1999 09:58:43 -0700
Reply-To:     "Steven X. Schwenk" <Steve@SCHWENK-LAW.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Steven X. Schwenk" <Steve@SCHWENK-LAW.COM>
Subject:      Re: Springs
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

On the custom springs, the reason I am asking everyone to measure vehicle sag
at each wheel loaded and unloaded is so we can get a snapshot of what
everybody's needs are in terms of load and height requirements.  I could just
use my van and base everyone's specs off of that, but this will be more
accurate and will allow finer "estimating" of final spring rate and in
determing whether we get one, two or three different springs made.    The
engineers will make the call based on our data and our stated preferences.
This method does not allow for differences in condition of existing
springs...but the initial unloaded sag measurement will tip us off to that
problem if unloaded sag on one vehicle is significantly more than on the rest.
It should be real interesting to see the differences in sag among the 10 or so
people I hope do the homework.

My apologies to Eric for using the word "ignorant" in my reply to his warning
yesterday, but Eric's use of the word "victim" and the implication that i am
some rich boy playing with unknowns and about to victimize unsuspecting listees
was a little offensive.  If you check some of the performance websites, you'll
see that you can get custom springs for lots of VWs...even vanagons...but not
syncros.  They are one of the few components you can change at relatively low
cost for instant performance improvement.
steve

p.s.  the company making the springs is http://www.bettsspring.com/coil/

> Rubatoguy wrote:
>
> > Since there has been a thread of discussion on custom springs, I have a
> > question that I'd like to put to the minds of the list.
> >
> > If you were having custom springs made for a Westy, would it be worth
> > having the left side springs slightly stronger,
> > given that all the cabinetry and water and propane tanks are on that
> > side?
> >
> > Or is the additional weight on that side insignificant enough to be
> > ignored - or the potential problems with mis-matched left to right
> > springs not worth considering this idea.
> >
> > Thoughts?
> >
> > Todd
> > '88 Westy