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VwDubber
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2012
Posts: 144
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 Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 7:38 am Post subject: Spring Spacers? |
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I'm replacing my Tired Coil Springs with New GW Springs..
But...
Do I need Spring Spacers.
Or
How would you know if we did need them?
I was thinking of maybe adding one on the Left Rear side to help because of my Van being a Loaded Westy. Also I have my aux Battery and usually a full water Tank on that side..
What would you recommend. or how do I determine what and where is needed? Are they usually only recommended on the Rear or also for front usage.
Also where would the spacer be added, on the lower or upper side of the coil spring 
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Jeff's Old Volks Home
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2011
Posts: 819
Location: Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 8:23 am Post subject: |
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You just need to measure your ride height (adjust tire pressures, measure from the ground to the fender edge) before and after you replace your springs. Go for a drive to settle the new springs and make up a shim to level the van out. Measure both sides and add to to low side. Remember to multiply the thickness of the shim by 1.6 to achieve the true lift height. (1" shim in the rear yields 1.6" of lift).
Jeff
_________________
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2004 Jetta TDi Wagon
2002 Smyth Ute TDi
1990 Vanagon weekender Syncro AAZ
1987 Syncro Doka AAZ...soon to be TDI 
2014 DL650ABS Xpedition
1986 Weekender Syncro (Under construction)
1987 Westfalia (Under construction)
1987 Syncro Single cab |
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fabricator john
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2009
Posts: 510
Location: manassas va. now Venice Fl.
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| Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 8:45 am Post subject: |
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http://www.speedwaymotors.com/AFCO-Adjustable-Spring-Spacer,49203.html
ive used these or simmilar ,theres a few diffrent ones avaiable on both circle track cars and street rods to get the ride just right just right or to preload , the threads are square cut and dont move when loaded , ice tacked em on,bolted em and some cars required nothing , antiseize the threads real good for future adjustment ,cause if ta dont youll be takin em out to get em to bust loose ,ive done it , ,, my 2c
fabricator john
ps flat they are around 3/4 inch |
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insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 9:03 am Post subject: |
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| fabricator john wrote: |
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/AFCO-Adjustable-Spring-Spacer,49203.html
ive used these or simmilar ,theres a few diffrent ones avaiable on both circle track cars and street rods to get the ride just right just right or to preload , the threads are square cut and dont move when loaded , ice tacked em on,bolted em and some cars required nothing , antiseize the threads real good for future adjustment ,cause if ta dont youll be takin em out to get em to bust loose ,ive done it , ,, my 2c
fabricator john
ps flat they are around 3/4 inch |
I have these for flat cut springs...do you have them installed with stock rear Vanagon springs? |
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Franklinstower
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Joined: September 21, 2006
Posts: 2000
Location: PNW
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VwDubber
Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2012
Posts: 144
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| Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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| fabricator john wrote: |
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/AFCO-Adjustable-Spring-Spacer,49203.html
ive used these or simmilar ,theres a few diffrent ones avaiable on both circle track cars and street rods to get the ride just right just right or to preload , the threads are square cut and dont move when loaded , ice tacked em on,bolted em and some cars required nothing , antiseize the threads real good for future adjustment ,cause if ta dont youll be takin em out to get em to bust loose ,ive done it , ,, my 2c
fabricator john
ps flat they are around 3/4 inch |
Hey Thanks for the Info..
But how do they install?
On the upper or lower side of the Springs?
Can they be used on the Front Springs?
Also. what do you do once installed turn the Washer Screw till desired height is reached?
Chit I could have probably just used these to get the sag out of my old springs and saved $300 + Bucks
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davevickery
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005
Posts: 2887
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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Just put a spacer in the left rear when you are putting in the springs. Just put the donut on that post at the top and put it above the stock pad that is already up there, and of course put the stock pad back too. I'd start with a 1/2" spacer and see how level it is and add another if you need to. It will probably be about right with 1/2" Look at this spacer and just make a simple one like it. No need to get facncy.
http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/pts/4335976130.html
You can make one from plastic walmart cutting board. There are a couple threads on it if you search. BTW, you only need to remove the shock bolt for it to drop down enough, not that front one shown in the picture.
You are limited how much spacer you can use up front, and new springs will be better anyway. You're doing it the right way.
Last edited by davevickery on Sat Mar 01, 2014 8:17 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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madspaniard
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Joined: August 18, 2008
Posts: 3795
Location: Alameda, CA
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