Suspension recommendations

[D78Q85V87]

Hello All,
The time has come when the springs are creaky, the van's abouncin' on even the smallest of road imperfections. I own a 87 wolfsburg weekender and would appreciate some advice on replacing the suspension to get it back to stock. Are there any other things I should replace while doing the suspension?? Thank you for all of your help.

[shagginwagon83]

How old is the suspension? Original? You probably need new bushings, shocks, springs, and maybe ball joints.

You may have some life on some parts left - but in my opinion take it all apart and do it once.

The only 'sure' thing I can recommend is Moog branded upper ball joints and lower ball joints.

You have a variety of types of bushings and brands. The most common used here is Powerflex Urethane bushings.

Are you on pavement 95% of the time? When you do go offroad its not for long?
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[Love My Westy]

If you don't have one already, I recommend a heavy duty sway bar such as an Adco, or T3 Techniques. You'll wonder why you didn't add one sooner.

[Steve M.]

Recommend T3 Techniques for the suspension bushings in polyurethane.
Yes it is an expense, but if you equate your time to money the time saved putting them in will balance it all out.
Installing 2-piece bushings just that much easier.
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[D78Q85V87]

[D78Q85V87]

[D78Q85V87]

[mikemtnbike]

Materials quality. Excellent customer service. Supporting a small business owner who generously contributes his expertise to this forum at no charge.

Materials quality has multiple definitions- first, they're well made and fit right. Secondly, the polyurethane is supposed to do a match better job of dampening noise, vibration, small bumps, etc.

To be clear, I've only gotten CLK hardware from Chris/ T3 but all new front end hardware will be installed this year, purchased from him. I have put powerflex radius rod bushings on from VanCafe (they had a sale) and was really impressed with quality/materials. And I don't think ~600 bucks for a high end full kit of bushings etc is expensive at all- actually very affordable.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[shagginwagon83]

I too bought a lot of hardware from Chris at T3 Technique. I would highly recommend talking with him if you are serious about this suspension rebuild.

I tackled this job last spring. I went overkill on the under body restoration. I luckily ran into only 2-4 seized bolts.

Because of that - I bought all new bolts/hardware from Chris. The fact that I don't have to worry about finding the correct bolt size/length AND good quality was a no brainer for me.

Here's my thread on my rebuild. Again - I went overkill on some things but I broke down how many hours it took me to do some jobs - such as disassembly.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8856510

The bigger T3 sway bar will help the handling of your van. It's on my to do list and I regret refreshing my stock sway bar.

Anyway - after a refreshed suspension, 16" wheels, it rides great - and I don't get thrown around when a semi passes by
_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[llilibel03]

Don't mean to hijack the thread but I figure it's relevant...

I put in rear spring spacers a while back to correct "Westy Sag". The bottom spacers were completely consumed...and I mean completely. I did not have any replacements on hand so I put everything back together with no pad under the rear springs. I put some grease in the indentation/recess where the spring sits, thinking it would at least prevent it from screeching, metal on metal. In fact I heard no sounds...I've been driving like that for months.

Yesterday I installed some hdpe cutting board under the springs. It was only 1/4" but since it bridges the indent/recess I think it lifted the van more like 3/8"-1/2". I'm a little concerned about the spring being able to jump out/over the "perch"? It was a question asked a couple times on this thread but not answered- https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=20


But my current question is this- I noticed where I put the grease had collected sand and debris from the few dirt roads I've driven since.

So, is the grease counterproductive? Accelerating wear rather than preventing it? I put a little grease around the perch since that is the only place where there could now be metal on metal.
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87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present)

[Steve M.]

[D78Q85V87]

I will definitely check out T3. What shocks/struts and springs would you all recommend? I would obviously love to go with fox, but I don't have the money and don't feel like I do enough off roading to justify it. If i had a syncro I wouldn't think twice. But for my weekender, I feel like just getting her back to stock or better (without any crazy mods) would be ideal.

Also thank you for all of your advice it has been hugely helpful!

[joetiger]

[E1]

We had the HD Bilsteins with the GW lift springs in our old van. The springs sagged around 2" in the first month, and driving was like being atop pogo sticks.

We put Schwenk springs and Konis on our new van and they are both fantastic. We are at about 16" now, without any spacers, and the rebound feel on rough bits is fabulous. Night and day compared to the other setup.
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[D78Q85V87]

[a2wolfsburggli]

[Merian]

digressive valving is the best thing going for shock absorbers (aside from electronic control in new cars)

you can send in Bilsteins and they will do this for you - not sure re Konis

gowesty claims that some of the Bilsteins they sell are digressively valved
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[D78Q85V87]

[Merian]

the shock "distinguishes" a bump from say a pothole from body roll (based on the speed of the jounce/rebound)

best to plug it into Google and then look for the youtube video on it...

it allows you to have stiff shocks yet greater comfort too
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[whereiwannabe]

[quote="a2wolfsburggli"]