Chris:

This has more to do with the spring fatigue caused by = the extra weight on the port side of the van.  Over time (at least = 9 years by now) the weight of the camper equipment (not to mention all = the stuff stuffed in there most of the time) simply compresses the = springs to a point where they fatigue and cannot return to the original = height/length.  I have even seen this in passenger cars (like = MGB's) where the driver's side is lower due to people rarely sitting in = the passenger seat.  I used to have a '69 Jeep CJ-5 that had the = gas tank under the driver's seat - it definitely listed to port as a = result of this weight & resultant spring fatigue.  (It also = discouraged smoking while driving!)

Some list members have talked about having their = springs stretched in order to restore the original ride height.  I = have to think this would be a relatively temporary solution, but then = again so would new springs, and they are a lot more = expensive...

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Fall [mailto:cpfall@UCDAVIS.EDU]=
> Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2000 7:44 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: westy lists to port
>
>
> There has been a lot of discussion about shocks = and springs lately. Of
> course I had to go look at my beast and = discover that it does
> lean a bit
> (just noticeable) to the = cabinet/stove/sink/fridge/table
> side. So is this
> normal? Eg, would a new westy (if there were = one) have a bit of lean?
>
>
> Chris Fall
>
> cpfall@ucdavis.edu
>