Date: Wed, 9 Jun 1999 12:32:39 -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: Syncro Springs List Purchase Homework Assignment ADDENDUM
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Eric, thanks for the .02. No one is re-engineering the suspension. We
are just dropping in the springs VW would have dropped in had they taken
the time and $$ to custom fit different springs for each syncro model
instead of one spring for everyone no matter what their use or
vehicle...which really shortchanges us westy syncro owners. We are
working with suspension engineers who do this every day. This is not
rocket science. We are not lifting the vehicle or doing anything to
take it out of stock specs...actually, we are more or less blueprinting
the suspension, and not much more.
Your warning comes from ignorance on this topic. You do not know what
you are talking about here. Besides, the springs are going to cost $50
each (compared to $300+ from VW) and if it does not work out....you just
drop the stock springs back in....there are no modifications to the
vehicle components...so what's all this chicken little stuff? It will
work, though, because we are doing it right and are working with good
people.
steve
EMZ wrote:
> I must give my .02 here, to protect the inocent.
> To re-engineer the factory suspension
> of any vehicle is a major undertaking. Changing spring rates are
> a very subjective, to the use of the vehicle. So manufactures (VW)
> sets the system up to fit general porpuse. Combine this with quality
> of workmanship, and material requirements, and IMHO this project
> is for the rich to toy with.
> So be forwarned, this is not a project that the guy who is
> using his Van to get to work in, should be playing with. Just like
> the Weld lock axles I warned about years ago.....
>
> Eric 86-VW4x4
> vw4x4@fyi.net 72-240z
> Pittsburgh, PA USA 1936-Chrysler
>
> On Tue, 8 Jun 1999, Steven X. Schwenk wrote:
>
> > Some stuff i forgot...
> >
> > (1) when measuring sag or static vehicle height, the
> > van should be unloaded. However, ideally, we should
> > take one measurement fully unloaded and one fully
> > loaded. the more time we put into this phase gathering
> > relevant data, the better the result will be.
> >
> > ALSO... just for accuracy's sake, and full
> > data....please after measuring the sag jack the van up
> > (use jack points on the body...not the axle/control
> > arm) and again make the measurement....this is
> > obviously with the wheel off the ground and the
> > suspension fully extended. This will be the same for
> > all vans, so we only need one or two people to do this.
> >
> > If someone can also make the measurement with the
> > suspension fully compressed, that would be great, but
> > is not so easy to get.
> >
> > to recap:
> >
> > (1) measure sag with van empty (except for what is
> > always in it)
> > (2) measure sag loaded with your typical trip weight;
> > (not absolutely necessary, but will ensure more
> > accuracy....ple3ase try to take the extra 20 minutes to
> > do this...and there will be no more homework!)
> > (3) one or two people please measure with suspension
> > fully extended and wheel off the ground
> > (4) and can someone venture measuring distance with
> > suspension fully compressed...bottomed out
> >
> > PLEASE SPECIFY WHAT TYPE OF WHEELS YOU HAVE...STEEL OF
> > ALLOY VW OR SOMETHING NON-VW when making the
> > measurement from wheel well lip to lower rim lip.
> >
> > steve
> >
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