Date:         Fri, 15 Oct 1999 16:13:24 -0500
Reply-To:     Joel Walker <jwalker@BAMA.UA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joel Walker <jwalker@BAMA.UA.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Volkswagen Mini Van
Comments: To: Joel Shortlidge <shortlid@EXPERT.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

> This web page is done by a engineering group and has a
> step by step
> alignment process for the Vanagon with pics!  Are these
> procedures right
> for the Syncro?
> http://www.ingallseng.com/vans/vwvans.html

uh, folks .... no reflection on Joel (either of us), but
those instructions on that web page are ... well ... wrong.
the pictures aren't right, and there aren't any rivets to
drillout and there is no shock bolt as depicted. they're
trying to use generic instructions for our specific
vehicles, and unless you're a trained mechanic and able to
interpret (read between the pictures), do NOT attempt to set
your camber or caster or alignment with those instructions.

also, they are kinda wrong in just the years ...in 1985, the
Wolfsburg Limited Editions had  a lowered suspension. 30mm
lower, i believe. that carried on in the WLE's until 1988,
when ALL the GL models (and i think all the buses (NOT
VANS!) sold over here were lowered that much). that
continued for the rest of the Vanagons. the trick is, with
the lowered suspension, the  alignment settings are for a
bus that is loaded, not empty ... you use the specs for
half-load.

and the syncros are even more different. derek drew found
some errors in the bentley specs, so syncro folks would do
well to find derek's article in the archives and look at it.

so be careful out there ... just cause it's on the internet
doesn't mean it's right. and it's not the things you don't
know that'll kill you ... it's the things you know that are
wrong! :) <shamelessly stolen from someone's sig file>

unca joel
(i could be wrong. but it ain't likely! ;)