Also....
It should be noted that not only do all =
after
market springs sag... so do original stock springs... that's why many of =
us are
looking for new springs :)
So the question is not if a spring will =
sag or
not... but ... what is the acceptable or normal rate of spring =
sag?
If we take the average stock spring sag =
over the
past 10 years and divide by 10 perhaps that would be a reasonable =
expectation
(perhaps the first year be adjusted by an expected greater amount?)... =
perhaps
Steve will help us by putting this concept into numbers since he has =
done all
the research on stock spring heights and average spring =
sag.
Also... the first set of Bett front =
springs (via
Mark Drillock) has been installed on some vans now for about 9 months or =
so... I
believe Steve reported recently that the sag on these has been... =
straining my
memory here... about less than 1/4 inch... that being mostly right in =
the
beginning... a sort of a set in period... and then no further sag =
since... I
think... Perhaps Steve could re post this information here.
Bill
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, =
2000 8:06
AM
Subject: All Aftermarket =
Springs Sagg
Lower Over Time, Germans Find
Another killer message from Axel.
Asked about =
Springs,
he says the Europeans used to make special syncro springs but that =
they
stopped doing this because after one trip or one year the springs =
would start
to decay. As a result, the Europeans found that the only two springs =
worth
having were either the factory Springs or the Seikel springs. As he =
says,
"All other, we tested are =
more or less
for one journey or for one year."
But Axel admits the =
Seikel
springs were too hard for many users.
So the common solution =
in
Europe, he says, is to use the factory springs with spacers under
them!!
Drawing inferences from this stunning email, one can =
draw some
observations:
1. If David Marshall springs do indeed sag over =
time,
this is entirely normal experience for the Europeans too. In a way, =
this lets
David out of the dog house. Who could have predicted this problem? =
2.
It would make sense to begin measuring Betts springs installations now =
so any
extent of sagging is documented over time. If the Betts springs escape =
the
syndrome, then we can make Steve the Worldwide producer of the only
aftermarket non-sagging spring! Are you ready to ship to Europe, =
Steve?
3. Axel tries to scare us into raising our vans no more than =
3cm. I
had earlier postulated 2.5cm as the target amount so there is some =
correlation
here.
All sagg together now...
From: (Axel Elsner)
To: "Derek Drew" =
<derekdrew@rcn.com>
Subject: AW: Bernd Jaeger =
gearwheels
Derek,
None of the Americans want the Seikel springs, saying they =
are too
hard, so they have manufactured other springs that are not so stiff, =
but
that are stiffer than the factory springs.
Axel:
Yes, I agree, the Seikel are only =
used now, if
it comes to single or crew cabs with camping cabins etc. and the =
wight of
the vehicle is 3200 kg or more. Please find attached a picture with =
me and a
friend of mine with such a Seikel cab (3350 kg in =
sumary).
But the
Seikels have a great benefit: They keep their parameters for a long =
time.
All other, we tested are more or less for one journey or for one =
year. Thats
the reason, we normaly keep the original springs and add some =
distance disks
under the springs. And please, never forget: If you make the springs =
longer
then 3 cm against the original the problems with the cv-joints and =
special
with the boots are increasing dramaticaly. if you don`t want higher =
then
those 3 cm, you don`t need other springs.
best regards
Axel
_______________________________________________
Derek
=
Drew &nb=
sp; &nbs=
p; =
;
New York, NY
CEO & Co-Founder
80 South Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10038
derekdrew@rcn.com
212-580-6486
Alternate numbers for the industrious =
phone caller
that wants to try every avenue: 917-848-6425 (cell); 202-966-7907 =
(Work),
212-580-4459 (Home), 202-966-0938 (Home), 978-359-8533 (fax [efax]),
212-269-3428 (Seaport office), 212-269-3188 (Seaport main number).