| Author |
Message |
charleslabri
Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2019
Posts: 615
Location: Nashville/Yosemite
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2020 4:15 pm Post subject: Spring identification |
 |
|
I got this van second hand.. id imagine like... MOST of you.
While under it ive done my best to comb every damned inch.
One place that I have been pretty mystified is the suspension.
Clearly I have some trash KYB shocks (ill be changing these out later), but the springs, I cant tell if they are OG or aftermarket.
My guess is that they are stock. Though my ride height (completely gutted/unloaded) is about 17 3/4" hub to fender.
this is a 1981 tin top as far as the VIN is concerned.
Rear
Front
_________________
-------------------------------------------------
An example of my labor in action:
https://www.instagram.com/wileythewesty/
My Build Thread:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=730525&highlight= |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
charleslabri
Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2019
Posts: 615
Location: Nashville/Yosemite
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7757
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 10:15 pm Post subject: Re: Spring identification |
|
|
Yeah, where's Loogy when you need him...? Probably sleeping off his Thanksgiving pie... 
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7477
Location: WA/ID
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 12:09 am Post subject: Re: Spring identification |
|
|
Check the second post in this thread for oem spring marks... The color is the primary id. The count of stripes is for grouping springs with minor variances w/in color codes. There are a few more threads but this is a good start.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=712754
| jimf909 wrote: |
I did find this as a starter. Does anyone know if one brown stripe is the same as two noted below?
| suebicum wrote: |
Hi
And with the springs, VW has 4 different front 2WD springs.
They are colour coded with rings around the wire.
2x blue, normal
2x brown, camper, ambulance, Carat (normal)
2x green, HD for heavy loads
1x yellow, lowered suspension, xx-Star, LLE, Carat
Michael |
Thanks. |
[/quote]
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
|
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro).
Last edited by jimf909 on Fri Nov 27, 2020 11:18 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7477
Location: WA/ID
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 12:30 am Post subject: Re: Spring identification |
|
|
Carbon copy of the post above...
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
|
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro).
Last edited by jimf909 on Fri Nov 27, 2020 12:44 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7477
Location: WA/ID
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 12:42 am Post subject: Re: Spring identification |
|
|
The paint marks are what you're looking for to i.d. oem springs...
You could also look for printed info as with the GW springs below but that seems less likely to find on your springs...
See spring info printed on the spring on the upper coil...
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
|
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro).
Last edited by jimf909 on Fri Nov 27, 2020 11:12 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
charleslabri
Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2019
Posts: 615
Location: Nashville/Yosemite
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
GreenMachineVW
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2008
Posts: 645
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2021 10:21 pm Post subject: Re: Spring identification |
|
|
I am also trying to identify some rear springs. I have two sets: One set has a single yellow paint mark, the other set has a single blue paint mark. The yellow set has an overall length (or is it height?) of 10 1/2 inches, 8 coils, and the center coil measures 18.5 mm. The blue set is 11 inches, with 7 coils, and a center coil measures 16.5 mm. Can anyone identify the model they probably came with? Is the yellow set stiffer because t has thicker steel, or softer because it has an additional coil?
Thanks for any input you may have. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DuncanS
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2013
Posts: 4583
Location: New Hampshire
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2021 5:06 am Post subject: Re: Spring identification |
|
|
| My '91 stripped out tintop rides like the axles are bolted directly to the frame. How do I ID 30 year old springs? Wife has a bad back and I need to get her back in the car for some camping. Once had a 2300 pound load and it rode like a Caddy. Speed was like a U-Ridem lawn mower. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
GreenMachineVW
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2008
Posts: 645
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2021 8:06 pm Post subject: Re: Spring identification |
|
|
| GreenMachineVW wrote: |
I am also trying to identify some rear springs. I have two sets: One set has a single yellow paint mark, the other set has a single blue paint mark. The yellow set has an overall length (or is it height?) of 10 1/2 inches, 8 coils, and the center coil measures 18.5 mm. The blue set is 11 inches, with 7 coils, and a center coil measures 16.5 mm. Can anyone identify the model they probably came with? Is the yellow set stiffer because t has thicker steel, or softer because it has an additional coil?
Thanks for any input you may have. |
Hmm. Perhaps someone in the Seattle-Tacoma area knows of a shop I could take my springs to have them rated? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6247
Location: Portland OR
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2021 8:14 pm Post subject: Re: Spring identification |
|
|
There is a paint stripe on springs that identifies them if they are VW.
For Reference:
Front Springs:
Blue=Normal
Brown= Carat, Camper, Ambulance
Green=Increased payload
Yellow=30mm lower than normal
Violet=Syncro
The rear spring colors are as follows.
Yellow=Yellow - Normal and for increased payload or heavy duty shocks
Brown=Ambulance (UK)
Blue=Passenger vans
Green=30mm lower
2X green=Syncro
Here's one of my rear springs that is not explained:
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
crazyvwvanman
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9939
Location: Orbiting San Diego
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2021 4:56 am Post subject: Re: Spring identification |
|
|
What about it needs explaining?
The color of the dot is the key.
When springs are produced they are not all exactly the same.
VW used the number of dots to grade a particular spring so the left and right springs could be more closely matched.
Any given spring version could have 1,2,or sometimes 3 dots of the same color and when the vehicle was built VW generally matched the number of dots side to side.
Mark
| PDXWesty wrote: |
There is a paint stripe on springs that identifies them if they are VW........
Here's one of my rear springs that is not explained:
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ZsZ
Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2010
Posts: 1647
Location: Budapest Hungary, Europe
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2021 5:34 am Post subject: Re: Spring identification |
|
|
OEM has paint marks - can be overpainted
OEM has partnr stamped on the lean-on surfaces - usually rusted away.
From the thickness and the nr of turns in the coil you can make guesses. Probably an OE standard spring
_________________
Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6247
Location: Portland OR
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2021 8:40 am Post subject: Re: Spring identification |
|
|
| crazyvwvanman wrote: |
What about it needs explaining?
The color of the dot is the key.
|
They are stock springs. I've never found a code for the two different colored dots purple and green for rear springs.
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Crankey
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2004
Posts: 2659
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2021 8:51 am Post subject: Re: Spring identification |
|
|
An oldy but a goody from the gallery. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22670
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2021 10:04 am Post subject: Re: Spring identification |
|
|
The paint and rust discussion is the usual disconnect between the CA and rust belt car experience.
Personally, I just wait for winter, then I know the next one is Spring.
Sorry, I cant help myself.
_________________
.ssS! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
