TheSamba.com :: View topic - GoWesty! 2WD 1.5 lift springs making ba-boing noise

Fri Aug 29, 2014 12:40 am

I've had these installed for a while now and I'm getting a boing noise whenever we go over bumps etc. It sounds and feels like the top coils of the springs are binding. Has anyone else had any issues?

Fri Aug 29, 2014 7:20 am

With what shocks?
Are they long enough to handle extra 1.5"s?

If so, are they seated in the top perch properly?

Pictures for the upper spring rubber will verify if seated.

Fri Aug 29, 2014 7:33 am

Yep, as mentioned, make sure that the springs are seated properly. In addition, if the noise is coming from the rear, you may need to rotate the spring(s) as they can rub on the lower perch creating the noise that you describe.

If the noise is coming from the front, and assuming that the springs are seated properly, you will probably need to grease between the coils that are closest together. When a spring compresses, it twists and when it extends it untwists. With progressive coils that have one or more coils touching at any point in the travel, the coils that touch can get hung up on each other briefly during this twisting/untwisting motion and when they release, you get noise. Greasing in between these coils allows them to slide on each other preventing noise.

Fri Aug 29, 2014 7:42 am

I use custom made spring rubbers for race cars instead of grease between the stacked coils.

They are available in many heights, but I had very thin 1/4" rubbers made in the perfect durometer for the Vanagon progressives.

Just as Christopher mentioned about the rears, the rubbers can be rotated to the exact spot that they coils are binding.

Fri Aug 29, 2014 8:10 am

This is all great advice, thank you! I have reseated both the front springs (the noise is from the front) already which has reduced the noise. Will be applying grease first thing in the morning. The shocks btw are new and capable ;-)

Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:02 am

Question, I'd like to put these on my '88 Westy, did you install them yourself, and if so were they as difficult as the warning on GoWesty's website?
Also, what are your impressions of them? I've already got Bilstein HD's installed. I believe my springs are totally sacked out as my van has been progressively handling worse and worse, almost to the point of being dangerous.

Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:05 am

Spring compressors are recommended for installing lift springs in the front.

I use SIR Tools compressors, they are shown in the Luxury Tool thread.

Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:23 am

ahistand wrote: Question, I'd like to put these on my '88 Westy, did you install them yourself, and if so were they as difficult as the warning on GoWesty's website?
Also, what are your impressions of them? I've already got Bilstein HD's installed. I believe my springs are totally sacked out as my van has been progressively handling worse and worse, almost to the point of being dangerous.

I've had these on for about 6 months now and would def recommend them. I had them professionally installed. The added clearance they give to our 88 Westy is worth it alone. I've def got better handling also. Plus they look good ;-)

Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:07 am

ahistand wrote: my van has been progressively handling worse and worse, almost to the point of being dangerous.

I suggest you get a professional diagnosis, instead of guessing and throwing money at parts.

The problem you are describing is very unlikely to be spring related.

More likely bad ball joints or other alignment related issues, if not also bad shocks.

It is also important to have properly rated tires, inflated correctly.

Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:13 am

I've checked all I can think of. Shocks are Bilstein HD's w less than 1000 miles on them. Well the van leans excessively in turns, worse than ever, has the typical left Westy lean, and despite the Bilsteins is mushy as hell in general. To me, this all points to springs. I've replaced ball joints, and steering doesn't have any play. Of course I've checked tire inflation, and experimented with different pressures.

Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:26 am

A proper alignment will help.

Fri Aug 29, 2014 11:46 am

Yeah true that's the one thing I haven't done yet, I have checked the toe in, it's good, replaced ball joints and checked tie rod ends, steering seems to have no appreciable play.

Fri Aug 29, 2014 11:50 am

Your camber and caster are not "aligned" :!:

Wed Sep 24, 2014 8:25 pm

insyncro wrote: Your camber and caster are not "aligned" :!:

Ah yes! "Camber" :wink:

Go Westy states that we need 200lbs in each front seat

to be able to get the camber within specs?

Isn't there a better way to handle this?

Any help greatly appreciated!

JC...

Thu Sep 25, 2014 7:29 am

You want to get the alignment done with the vehicle weighted the way it will be driven the most, so you need a least weight for a driver. Toss some bags of sand/cement in the front seat area, or get a friend to quietly read a book there while the alignment is done. :D