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surftypeman Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2003 Posts: 95
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 10:24 am Post subject: sagging rear and electrics |
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greetings all in westy land- so then , my 85 westy looks like its fully loaded when its not. how do i remedy this?? also, why cant i plug in my tv, or use my electricity when i am driving? thanks in advance- |
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mightyart Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2004 Posts: 6188 Location: Portland, Oregon
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 10:34 am Post subject: |
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If the rear end sags to much the correct fix would be new springs, but you can compensate with air shocks, or air bags in the rear springs
http://airlift.r-catalog.com/choosecats.asp?hdnUK=27354
The AC power on the cabinet by the refrigerator works only when the outlet on the outside of the van is connected to a power outlet, via an extention cord, (Westys came with a big thick black one) like at a campsite with electricity. if you want to use anything while driving it has to run off 12 volt and you plug it into the cig. lighter. This is why people get second batteries. _________________ My Art:
http://www.instagram.com/flynn8552/ |
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surftypeman Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2003 Posts: 95
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 11:42 am Post subject: thanks |
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thanks for the reply.......... |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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Here's my story. It seems there is a group of 85 (early?) Westies that are nose high all the time. Mine started at 18 inches in the front and 16 in the back. So I added syncro.org rear springs, thinking mine we saggy. It settled into 16.5 inches in the back. UGH. So on the advice of another member in post http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=151963 I got a pair of Napa # 58595 shocks. I installed them in the back and they seem to be settling in to aroung 18 inches. I had to modify a small flange on each side of the van so the spring would pass. No big deal with a air powered die grinder with a cutoff wheel. We'll see if I add airbags, later. For now, I am pretty happy. Ride in the rear improved and it seems a bit more stabile. I may later only add a front sway bar now. We'll see how this setup works.
BTW: An old time VW master mechanic told me the Vanagons with the high noses were done that way for stability. I have not noticed a difference, yet in that regard. My van seemed more stable on the freeway. Trucks did not bother me. In fact, I did not even notice trucks, come to think about it. YMMV.
_________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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Raynor Shine Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2005 Posts: 552
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:01 am Post subject: |
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Hey - I just installed the syncro.or springs all around on my 87 Westy
2WD. THough I would need spacers on rear due to sag. But entire van settled in at 17.5. I was stoked. I'm sure over time the rear will give in a little because of the weight. but that's another day! |
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mightyart Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2004 Posts: 6188 Location: Portland, Oregon
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Squidfish Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2004 Posts: 336 Location: 95519
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:28 am Post subject: |
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http://www.knology.net/~vw/vanagon/sag/
this is what I did...works like a charm. same thing as sold on syncro.org but i made them for 6 bucks and used a dremel _________________ 1985.5 - Vanagon Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg Edition - LH8U - "Penny"
- 2.6i 5-Cylinder 10v (2004) |
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airkooledchris Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2005 Posts: 2710
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:21 am Post subject: |
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my 81 westy measured at 16 up front and 17 in the back.
while it doesnt make it look like the but is sagging, I think the front shocks are pretty much shot - which is why it sits so low up front.
do these napa shocks fit the front as well?
how is the ride now that they have been broken in? |
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riceye Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2006 Posts: 1661 Location: Caledonia, WI
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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Weak shocks won't affect the ride height. Weak springs will.
There may be coil-overs that will fit the front, but you need to wade through specs to find the correct mounting hardware dimensions, and the extended and compressed lengths. Then find the specs for OEM replacements, and compare.
NAPA recommended front:http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.as...60+-+Front
Possible NAPA coilover replacement (lower mounting hole is bigger):
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpages/NOLMaster.as...er+-+Front
That was a quick five minute online check. If you have the spec book from Monroe (maker of the NAPA shocks) you could narrow the search down more rapidly.
I would caution you that there are more dynamics at work in the front end than the rear, and substituting the load-adjusters may not be a great idea. Sure worked sweet on the rears, though!
Good luck-
Ric _________________ '87 Westy Weekender - daily driver on salt-free roads
There's gonna be some changes made.
“I find that things usually go well right up until the moment they don't.” - Ahwahnee
"Quality isn't method. It's the goal toward which the method is aimed." - Socrates, later quoted by R.M. Pirsig |
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slowesty Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2006 Posts: 63 Location: San Luis Obispo
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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Go with the airbags mentioned above. They lifted my van 1.5" and lock the back down in cross winds. They were my 2nd most noticable upgrade after the light/relay upgrade. |
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MrPolak Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2004 Posts: 1337 Location: AG ,atnaltA
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Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:53 pm Post subject: |
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I used to own an '85 Westy Wolfsburg edition camper, which as you may know are famous for being very tall in the front and just so average in the rear. The combination is laughable.
I devised a very simple spacer solution:
http://www.knology.net/~vw/vanagon/sag/
Polyethylene cutting board is easy to cut in an ironic sort of way, yet it's tough enough for this application. I put nearly 50 thousand miles on them over 2 years with no problem. I ended up reducing the number of spacers to two.
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JeffRobenolt Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 1513 Location: Wisconsin
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Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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The rear springs are probably not worn out they are just too short compared to the fronts on an 85.
On my 85 I had 19 in the front and 16.5 in the rear, I put the Monroe coil shocks on and gained a little over an 1" so it still didn't look right.
I did the cookie board and that got the van level but now the Monroe shocks are to short, they top out over bumps. So now I had to buy Syncro rear shocks.
Jeff
_________________ --------------------------------------------------------
jfats808 wrote: |
Most, some, few is not all. You can always learn something from everyone , even the fool. |
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MrPolak Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2004 Posts: 1337 Location: AG ,atnaltA
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