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Wed Dec 04, 2002 10:19 am

Earlier this year I bought some brand new shocks for my bus. I will admit, I bought the cheap ones but I figured that the bus doesn't weigh that much so I don't need heavy duty ones. The rear seems to be fine but the front does not like to take the bumps at all. Speed bumps have become my biggest enemy. So now I want to put some better quality shocks on the front and I have some questions. What brand will give a softer feel to those speed bumps and how much do they run?

Wed Dec 04, 2002 10:59 am

I like the KYB GR-2's for the front, the silver ones, the white KYB GAS-ADJUST are too stiff IMO for the front, but good for the rear. Other choice would be BOGE or Bilstein but they are more expensive. I think the GR-2's are 18-23 each...
Or I have heard decent reviews of Monroe sensatracs but not on Vw's on other cars, they should perform well if they have some that fit the application....

Wed Dec 04, 2002 11:08 am

Thanks again Keith.

Also, does anyone know a trick on how to install the return spring for the clutch? It's the one that attaches to the clutch arm on the tranny. I was able to do it on a bug but I am having a hell of a time trying to get it on my bus.

Wed Dec 04, 2002 11:37 am

I was able to do it on my 68 sc by just workinging it down over the arm with a little force and profanity. I had the motor out at the time so could actually see what I was doing though.

Wed Dec 04, 2002 12:19 pm

with the arm( make sure someone did not previously out the arm on backwards! it does go onb a certain way) on the shaft and circlip in place... fit the spring on and over the arm then 2 medium sized screw drivers, I use one reg and 1 phillips, use the phillips and catch it in the hook on the spring and using the tranny case pry it backwards and tword its position and use the other screwdriver to perusade it to "jump" into place... hope that makes sense, try it, it can take a few attempts...

Wed Dec 04, 2002 1:35 pm

Thanks for the help. On the bug, I wrapped the hook around the arm and used a large crow bar to force the flat part of the spring (the bottom part)into it's slot on the tranny. It took some time but it finally went in. The bus has less room to work with (or something)and it is very hard to use that method.

Wed Dec 04, 2002 1:59 pm

Mike, you can also take the circlip off and put the spring on then the arm back on and do the same 2 screwdriver method to get it in place..instead of forcing it

Wed Dec 04, 2002 3:21 pm

I took the circlip off by mistake and the arm wouldn't budge. I guess that's kind of a good thing.

Fri Dec 06, 2002 1:19 pm

Regarding your question about shocks. Rid height is a big factor in shock decission. Is yours stock or lowered? If lowered, you will want the special lowered shocks that Bus boys adapts for this use. If stock, the suggestions from other people make sense.
Doug

Fri Dec 06, 2002 2:12 pm

The bus is stock, I don't plan on ever having it lowered.

Now if we can find an easy way to get that damn spring life will be good. The other day I lost my clutch cable and I don't know if not having that spring attached caused it or not.

Fri Dec 06, 2002 2:12 pm

forgot "on". whoops.

Sat Dec 07, 2002 8:22 am

Mike,

I had Gas-A-Justs all around for the last six months and it was just too hard on my bones. I replaced them with GR-2's on the back and Boge's on the front and I love the ride. I do have a sway bar on the front which stiffens it up a little but I feel like I am riding on a cloud. I drive my bus every day including freeway driving and was worried a little about the 'soft' suspension tossing me a little at high speeds, but it is very controllable at 65 mpg. High winds would be another story, but I stay off the freeway when they start blowin'.

Boge's cost around $30.

Scott