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johnandxela
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2017
Posts: 4
Location: Washington
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 Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 6:23 pm Post subject: Van rocks side to side slightly |
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Hi everyone, we are driving our new 1982 air cooled vanagon across country from Washington state to Massachusetts, passing through Missouri at the moment. Been putting in about 500 miles per day at least because we have to make it east by Thursday. Yesterday at the end of the day I noticed that it rocks side to side more than usual in 1st and 2nd gear. Feels like the alignment may have loosened or something after 1,700 miles of driving. Does that make sense? It steadies out at higher speeds but I think I can still feel some rocking today even going 60 mph. Any ideas what might be causing this and does anyone recommend a mechanic in the Columbus, OH area? Or is this maybe something we can fix ourselves?
Thanks for any ideas/tips,
John & Xela |
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vwjetboat
Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2017
Posts: 1732
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 6:30 pm Post subject: Re: Van rocks side to side slightly |
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| you have to explain rocking better.. where.. the van ? the wheel ? the seat ? the front ? the back ? side to side ? up or down? wheels? |
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borninabus
Samba R&D Dept.
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 4539
Location: Arizona Highways
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| Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 7:37 pm Post subject: Re: Van rocks side to side slightly |
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did your new 82 westy come equipped with new shock absorbers and proper truck rated tires?
if not, i'd start there.
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88 Van WBX, A/T - 13 JSW TDI 6M/T - 2012 Touareg TDI Sport |
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johnandxela
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2017
Posts: 4
Location: Washington
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| Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: Van rocks side to side slightly |
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| The rocking is in the front and goes side to side. Shifting back and forth in 1st and 2nd gear. |
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scottz
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2008
Posts: 477
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 9:11 pm Post subject: Re: Van rocks side to side slightly |
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I would give the whole front end a good visual inspection at least. Grab the tie rods and shake them to see if secure.
Look at all four tires as well, bulging, tread separation, stuff like that.
While parked, lay in front while someone turns the wheel back and forth. Look / listen for anything amiss.
Jack it up and shake the wheel back and forth from 12&6 and 3&9 o'clock.
Could even be a tire out of balance.
That's a start anyway. Good luck! |
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levi
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005
Posts: 5522
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 12:38 am Post subject: Re: Van rocks side to side slightly |
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The problem folks are having is trying to understand whats going on via your description.
Not trying to be mean, its just vague.
If the front wheel bearings went out I suppose it could give that type of loose feeling.
You could jack each wheel off the ground just enough for them to spin, then grab a tire at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock and push/pull, see if you get a lot of play.
Do the same grabbing at 12 and 6.
Does the steering wheel have a lot of loose play as you're driving? Is that maybe what you mean? Could be cracked couplings.
There's really just so many possibilities.
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50352
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| Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: Van rocks side to side slightly |
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The suspension and transmission-engine package are not very closely related.
What was the original problem that caused you to start checking out your suspension? |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: Van rocks side to side slightly |
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Did you hit any potholes of curbs at all or pull into bumpy space too fast?
That might have thrown your alignment out on the front wheels.
Does your van have a history of amorous ghosts?
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There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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0cean
Samba Member
Joined: February 29, 2012
Posts: 1149
Location: California
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AZ Landshaper
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2009
Posts: 1698
Location: The Old Pueblo
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| Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: Van rocks side to side slightly |
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Hows the tire pressure? Low tires will make things mushy and will allow the van to rock or bounce more. Check the basics and then get a 2nd opinion.  Dont take unnecessary chances.
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wyldryce
Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2011
Posts: 83
Location: Annapolis, MD
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| Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:27 am Post subject: Re: Van rocks side to side slightly |
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| My vote, based on the vague description, it for a tire tread starting to separate. Definitely stop driving until you figure it out. If you feel in strongly in the steering wheel, it's more likely up front, if it's in the whole van, it's more likely the rear. You could be feeling it more strongly in 1st and 2nd because the frequency of revolutions is lower, and at higher speeds the shocks/springs dampen it. |
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T3 Pilot
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011
Posts: 1507
Location: Deep South of the Great White North
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| Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:48 am Post subject: Re: Van rocks side to side slightly |
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All of the above, plus this:
http://www.van-cafe.com/page_210_311/steering-coupler-1980-1991
I think your Bus has 2 of them.....
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The most important part in every vehicle is the nut behind the wheel...... |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32632
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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scottz
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2008
Posts: 477
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 1:22 pm Post subject: Re: Van rocks side to side slightly |
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| djkeev wrote: |
OP hasn't been back to update....... 🤔
Hope they didn't die in a horrible crash as the unit disintegrated around them!
Dave |
I was thinking the same thing!  |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: Van rocks side to side slightly |
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Classic sign of tread separation; really shows up at slower speeds. Git r fixed, pronto
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j/k