TheSamba.com :: View topic - Westy lean and cutting board mod

Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:29 am

I'd like to rid my rig of the 3/4" Westy lean. I've searched and searched for the thread describing the procedure, and they all end up referring to a page at knology.com that no longer exists.

Does anyone have details and size specs to help me (and others!) that they would like to share? I've got a polyethylene cutting board just waiting to be hacked up.

Thanks!
Ric

Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:35 am

Use the wayback machine:

http://web.archive.org/web/20050215232351/www.knology.net/~vw/vanagon/sag/

I've been looking into this recently as well.

Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:52 am

richardlbennett wrote: Use the wayback machine

Golly!!! Thanks Mr. Peabody!

Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:00 am

I used UHMW (ultra high molecular weight plastic): measured the diameter to fit in the spring cup, cut it out using a bandsaw, then used a hole cutter for the center cut out necessary for the bump stop. I need to search to find the measurements I used. I thought I documented it somewhere with in a post....

if you're leaning 3/4", then use that size to level it out.

Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:05 am

So stupid question, would just rotating the springs left to right fix the lean at all? Seems like in theory it might help a bit, like rotating tires...

Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:29 am

riceye wrote: I'd like to rid my rig of the 3/4" Westy lean.
Ric
I thought you were the original guy to use the monroe coil overs
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=151963
'The vehicle leveled out nicely, and the ride improved dramatically.'
'raised the ride height just a bit, and leveled out the driver's side sag a little, as well.'
did they not compensate enuff?

Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:47 pm

tclark wrote: riceye wrote: I'd like to rid my rig of the 3/4" Westy lean.
Ric
I thought you were the original guy to use the monroe coil overs
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=151963
'The vehicle leveled out nicely, and the ride improved dramatically.'
'raised the ride height just a bit, and leveled out the driver's side sag a little, as well.'
did they not compensate enuff?

That was a couple of years ago. The Westy lean was at a little less than 3/4" - up 'til about two hours ago.

An hour and a half and two 3/8" HDPE donuts later, and it's now sitting about 3/16" proud on the left side. From what I've read, that will drop a bit in time.

The lean seemed to get a bit worse when I replaced the 10+ year old coilovers earlier this year. Not quite sure why - perhaps Monroe is using softer springs now.

And, if you notice in my quote, I offered that they "leveled out the driver's side sag a little", which they did. The lean was worse before I installed them.

You have a good memory, Tim! I have a hard time remembering what day it is.

Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:56 pm

I did the fronts only on my westy awhile back after I went the H&R springs and the front was down about an 1"

It's its mosty a cut and fit job but not hard with a jigsaw, awood rasp and a little patience

maybe this will be of some help

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=261751&highlight=lean+cutting+board

ps - personally that 'rotate the springs' from side to side sounds very insprired ... couldn't hurt to try and your only investment would be time

Wed Aug 12, 2009 7:57 pm

What's a Weekender doing leanin'?

In any case, specs are:

front: OD: 5 5/8", ID: 3 1/4"

rear: OD: 6" (5 7/8" or pretty much anything down to about 3"), ID: 2 1/16"

Do good things...and post about 'em.

Mike

Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:24 am

I had an 85 with the saggy butt lean too. Both back springs were saggy by about 1 inch. Instead of the spacer idea, I inserted some spring helpers into the springs. Now it sits level, it cost me $20, and it took me 5 minutes to install them. I've heard people say that the spring helpers aren't a great solution because they can effect your spring rate. I think my springs became slightly stiffer in the rear making for better handling.

Thu Oct 08, 2009 6:14 pm

I put all the pictures and the write up here for a more permanent solution:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4116136#4116136