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Californio
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1357
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 Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2021 12:19 pm Post subject: Asymmetrical tire inflation with I-4 engines |
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I have a Westfalia full camper with an I4 (Tiico) conversion, and it's plain that there's more weight on the left side than the right. Shouldn't this mean that inflating the driver side tires more would get it to track better?
This is an ordinary condition with campers, but the I4, since it sits mostly on the left rear side, seems like it would exacerbate the problem.
Guesstimating the weight difference, left side over right side:
Driver 200 lbs
Steering gear 75 lbs
(DS battery balances with starter battery)
Kitchen cabinet 80lbs
Water tank full 90lbs
Middle cabinet 50
Rear cabinet with clothes or whatever 90
I4 engine 350 total, 250 left side
I4 exhaust, 25
I get 860lbs more on the left side than the right. Feel free to correct if the figures seem high or low, I'm guessing. That seems like a pretty big weight difference left to right, and possibly front to rear.
Would the additional weight of the I4 conversion on the left side make a real difference in handling? What about alignment--shouldn't this be taken into account?
I've been running 3-5 PSI more in the left than the right, and it seems to ride better. But it's so minor it could be a placebo effect. Anybody else experiment with this? |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10674
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2021 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: Asymmetrical tire inflation with I4's |
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Your proposal makes some sense.
I guess it depends how many pounds the actual imbalance is.
I'll be real surprised if it's that much.
Can you find a roadway scale to drive one wheel at a time on and check those numbers?
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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Californio
Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1357
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| Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2021 2:17 pm Post subject: Re: Asymmetrical tire inflation with I4's |
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Yes, that is the true answer to how much imbalance there is, weigh it at each wheel.
I also have 1/2" spacers under my rear springs to correct the Westy lean. But it looks like I need one more on the driver's side as well. Crazy way to have to "balance" a van.
Next time I go get gravel I'll try to use their scales. |
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campism
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4685
Location: Richmond VA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2021 3:22 pm Post subject: Re: Asymmetrical tire inflation with I4's |
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| Californio wrote: |
Yes, that is the true answer to how much imbalance there is, weigh it at each wheel.
I also have 1/2" spacers under my rear springs to correct the Westy lean. But it looks like I need one more on the driver's side as well. Crazy way to have to "balance" a van.
Next time I go get gravel I'll try to use their scales. |
If your gravel place is like mine you'll likely only be able to weigh the front and the rear, not one side and the other. An actual truckstop scale might let you do it the way you want if the apron surrounding the scale itself has room for the van to hang off in various directions.
_________________
'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic, tragically crushed by a falling hickory tree in my own driveway and now gone, leaving me Vanagonless and with no plans to replace it, alas. |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17181
Location: Brookeville, MD
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| Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2021 3:33 pm Post subject: Re: Asymmetrical tire inflation with I4's |
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| campism wrote: |
| Californio wrote: |
Yes, that is the true answer to how much imbalance there is, weigh it at each wheel.
I also have 1/2" spacers under my rear springs to correct the Westy lean. But it looks like I need one more on the driver's side as well. Crazy way to have to "balance" a van.
Next time I go get gravel I'll try to use their scales. |
If your gravel place is like mine you'll likely only be able to weigh the front and the rear, not one side and the other. An actual truckstop scale might let you do it the way you want if the apron surrounding the scale itself has room for the van to hang off in various directions. |
If they cooperate you should be able to weigh one front wheel and then one rear wheel, side depends on the scale orientation. Then weigh the front axle and the rear. Math will get you the other weights.
Curious to see what you find. I feel that the weight imbalance is not as great as you are estimating. But I'd love to see real numbers.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD
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Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10497
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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| Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2022 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: Asymmetrical tire inflation with I-4 engines |
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Maybe one minor reason why the stock diesel has the starter battery at driver side of engine bay?
When doing my last I4 conversion, I tried to leave room, provisions (wiring) for an aux battery close to the stock diesel starter battery position.
Neil.
| Californio wrote: |
| I have a Westfalia full camper with an I4 (Tiico) conversion, and it's plain that there's more weight on the left side than the right. |
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)
1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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Phishman068
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Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 2010
Location: Pittsburgh PA (ish)
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CanStan
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Joined: October 16, 2005
Posts: 1111
Location: Calgary, AB
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| Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2022 7:53 pm Post subject: Re: Asymmetrical tire inflation with I-4 engines |
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| Vanagon Nut wrote: |
| Maybe one minor reason why the stock diesel has the starter battery at driver side of engine bay? |
I've wondered about this sort of thing in the past, but I can't imagine it has any merit. Maybe in a finely tuned race car? But in a Vanagon where the average driver falls somewhere in the range of 125 - 350lbs, I can't see the manufacturer trying to adjust things to balance out, adding 3lbs here, and subtracting 5lbs there.
I have zero evidence this is true. It just seems like an impossible way to dial in a vehicle when the biggest wild card is unknown. |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52469
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| Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2022 12:53 am Post subject: Re: Asymmetrical tire inflation with I-4 engines |
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You could check the temperature across the tread rows with an IR gun and also just adjust the pressures to give the best compomise of ride and handling.
I find that on an empty van a few psi difference in tire pressure has a noticeable effect on handling. |
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